Stories
Life on the Margins: Meeting the Unique Needs of Refugees and Students in Uganda
On the edge of the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, Senga Ndagize tills the land on his small farm. He lets the dirt sift through his fingers—dirt that is not his; dirt that doesn’t hold his history; dirt that holds hope and possibility; dirt that could give his family a bright future.
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A Lesson in Love from Gene Gardner
Last year in his retirement community, he invited his fellow residents to share concerns about local, national, and global issues they felt were important. This sparked a series of meetings where they invited organizations to educate them on an issue and what was being done to solve it and, most importantly, determine how they could help. This is how their Love Your Neighbor initiative was born.
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Waymaker Wednesday: Gentil
Gentil is an artist who escaped from Burundi. He used to run workshops for young artists and was accused by the government of training rebel soldiers so he had to flee. He now lives with his grandmother and nephews, who he supports in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Gentil, just like any other refugees, faced challenges of access to finance and income opportunities in the settlement. However, through our partner bank, he received a small loan. He used his loan to set up a local portrait business. He…
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Program Manager in the Field: 3 Defining Insights from my Trip to Uganda
How can a non-profit work with social enterprises to reduce poverty? When I visited Opportunity’s operations in Uganda in November, this question loomed in my mind—I was curious to discover the best ways Opportunity International could continue to work with our implementing partner, Opportunity Bank Uganda, Ltd. (OBUL), to design sustainable solutions for underserved communities.
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A memoir of a life across continents
Dive into one of the “Best Books of 2021” and be inspired by one girl’s journey to rebuild her life in an unfamiliar place. This month, the Opportunity Book Club is traveling across countries and continents through Nadia Owusu’s powerful memoir, Aftershocks.
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2021 WeGO Award Winners: Increasing Opportunities for Women
Championing programs and supporting projects that increase inclusion and chart a pathway out of poverty for women and girls globally is at the heart of Opportunity International’s work. We are pleased to share the 2021 winner and finalists in the Women and Girls Opportunity (WeGO) Award for their work to do just that.
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6 places the Opportunity International Book Club explored in 2021 and more
In a year full of ups and downs, we found solace, education, and adventure curling up with great books. The Opportunity Book Club enjoyed novels, memoirs, human psychology, business reads, and more every month.
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Waymaker Wednesday: Santosh
We entered the home of 30-year old Santosh, and were offered a mat on the ground to sit on. We got settled and the men left. And only then, did Santosh remove the scarf that was acting as a veil, and we saw her face. One of eight children, Santosh never went to school. Her parents used what little money they had, to send her brothers instead. Santosh can’t read or write and she struggled to find the words to express why she’s so adamant her daughters won’t miss out on the opportunities she…
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Through the eyes of an elephant
Told through the perspective of an aging elephant as he makes his way across East Africa, The Memory of an Elephant spans both countries and generations, weaving a heartwarming—and heartbreaking—story of loss and loyalty.
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50 for 50: Looking Back at 50 Years
With support from this incredible community, we have been unwavering on mission and flexible on implementation for 50 years. We have innovated, pivoted, and grown—while remaining fixed on our ultimate goal: serving families living in poverty.
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