Issue no. 2 - 2014 Governor Community Connection

After a long, hard winter for many, springtime has finally arrived and I am grateful! During this season of rebirth, your generous support of our Opportunity clients is one more reason for gratitude.  Thanks to you, every day, hope and change come alive for one more family. Restoration, renewal and growth are apparent in our clients' lives from those rebuilding in the Philippines to those embarking as entrepreneurs in India to those transforming their farming communities in Africa.  

You and your fellow Governors are equipping millions of people with the tools to begin to break the cycle of poverty. In this issue, we’ll introduce you to three entrepreneurs who have faced staggering challenges and still persevered with the help of Opportunity. And among our progress updates, you’ll read about how we’re reaching one of our most important technology goals – to give clients banking access through their cell phones. None of these achievements would be possible without your steadfast support. 

Organizationally, we are going through our own season of renewal and growth. In recent weeks, we have grown stronger and more unified as a global organization enabling closer collaboration in the service of our clients and in the stewardship of your investments. We have also grown in our important partnerships, recently announcing an important expansion with the Mastercard Foundation to launch a $22.7 Million Africa Growth and Innovations Initiative. The five-year program will expand access to loans, savings programs and other critical financial services to help 7 million people in poor rural African communities. More broadly, we’re also increasing awareness of our life-changing work through a robust media relations program and our new, redesigned website. Our goal is to expand our Governor community and help even more people around the world break the cycle of poverty, transform their lives and strengthen their families.

Stay in the know on opportunity.org. Take a look at our latest news. Learn more about our sustainable approach. Join in our spring campaign focused on Investing in Women.  With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to honor moms everywhere.     

I’m so grateful to have you in our Governors community, and so appreciative of your continued support. Please let us know what we can do to improve your donor experience. Please share your candid insights, visit us here.

Best regards,

Vicki Escarra
Chief Executive Officer
Opportunity International