Stories
Happy Thanksgiving from our CEO
Dear Friends, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on things that are truly important to us like family and friends. I'm also extremely thankful to be part of Opportunity International and grateful for your support. Together, our hard work is transforming lives and making a difference. And there's no better feeling in the world than that. Again, thank you dear friends. Best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful (and delicious) Thanksgiving. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let…
Read MoreThankful for Dreams that Come True
Remy Mendez, a dedicated mother living in poverty in the Philippines, struggled to provide for her daughter Amina. Amina’s biggest dream was to go to school, but Remy and her husband couldn’t afford to educate Amina and her sister. But with the help of an Opportunity International loan, Remy built a business and transformed her family’s future. And with the additional support of a special scholarship, Amina was able to complete her university education in the United States. Today, Amina is…
Read MoreScale, Impact & Sustainability: An Innovative Model for Educating Vulnerable Children
Opportunity International recognizes the transformative power of education. Learn about our innovative model for educating vulnerable children world-wide.
Read MoreCelebrating #GivingTuesday with #UNselfies
Share your #unselfie on Giving Tuesday. Help break the cycle of poverty by supporting the work of Opportunity International.
Read MoreWhy I Think We Can End Extreme Poverty In My Lifetime
We can see an end to extreme poverty in our lifetime. Read Allison Kooser's latest blog post about how we can move forward and move the needle even more.
Read MoreThe Power of Community
This blog was originally given as a speech at the Gallery of Opportunity event in New York City on October 16, 2014. Everyone has an elevator pitch. The brief explanation of what they do (and if you are lucky, why they do it) that they can pull out and rattle off at a moment’s notice to anyone who might show signs of interest. I’m no exception. I have a personal one – the story that explains me as a brand. And I have one for Opportunity International, the international non-profit organization…
Read MoreSamuel’s determination to give his students a better future
In September 2014 I was fortunate to visit Opportunity International’s programmes in Ghana where we support 70,000 small businesses with microloans and provide savings facilities to over 375,000 Ghanaians living in poverty. The country’s rich mineral resources of gold and oil mean Ghana is officially a middle income country. But the reality is that many, many Ghanaians still live in poverty. During my visit, I saw living conditions comparable to or worse than countries with lower GDPs. The informal…
Read MoreA Day in the Life of an Insight Trip Traveler
Travelling by bus through Colombia with our team of 24, plus two security guards, was quite a feat. And on this particular Wednesday afternoon in Cartagena it was hot, very hot. Our fearless leader, Brian Olarte, briefed us on what we would be experiencing. First stop: Trust Groups, where we had the privilege to observe first-hand how people receiving Opportunity International micro enterprise loans check in with each other. They not only hold each other accountable, they also support one another…
Read MoreYAO Leaders Join 60,000 Change-makers at Global Citizen Festival
On September 27, the YAO-New York leadership team joined 60,000 other change-makers for the Global Citizen Festival – a concert designed to support an array of poverty-fighting efforts around the world. By YAO-New York Leaders Keri Cook and Luke Tubergen This year's Global Citizen Festival was, in a word, impressive. Some 60,000 young change-makers flocked to Central Park on Sept. 27 to support an array of poverty-fighting efforts set forth by Global Citizen, Opportunity International and many…
Read MorePainted Piggy Banks & Smiling Faces
Each day of the Colombia Insight Trip with Opportunity International (OI) has provided a feast of unique experiences and memories to treasure. Thursday was no different. Since Colombia does not observe Daylight Savings Time, the day started very early. By 6:30AM, kids were excitedly playing soccer on the beach while a large group of half-submerged bathers formed a circle about 50 yards out into the glimmering Caribbean. The early morning shower that left puddles on our patio did not dampen anyone’s…
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