Stories
Family is at the heart of Opportunity International’s work
It’s instinct to begin nesting when you’re pregnant: painting the nursery, stocking up on miniature blankets and buying new furniture. But imagine if your dream involved not rocking horses and diaper bags but simply trying to get a roof on your home. Aleyda Luque was pregnant with her first daughter, Brittany, and had been living in a walled shelter with no roof for four years when she received her first Opportunity International loan. Along with 17 other families in her Nicaraguan village who…
Read MoreRebuilding after Typhoon Haiyan: Opportunity International Helps Clients, Staff in the Philippines
As Typhoon Haiyan neared the Philippines last week, Opportunity International staff member Jeramae, her husband and her mother fled the coastal village Roxas City in Capiz with just one set of clothes each. They returned after the typhoon to find their neighborhood flattened and their home destroyed. Not a single possession could be salvaged. It has been a tragic week for the Opportunity International family. Typhoon Haiyan left roughly 1,000 staff members’ homes in ruins, and even more devastating,…
Read MoreEntrepreneurs in India are Supporting their Families
Jayanthi works hard to keep her daughters in school Jayanthi’s husband passed away in 2004 after which she sought training in sewing and studied basics in computer. Although she worked several jobs, it was difficult for Jayanthi to support her daughters Lavanya and Abinaya. When she learned of Opportunity International’s Trust Groups in her community, she quickly capitalized on the opportunity and got involved. As a patron of education, Jayanthi never stopped learning even at hard times in life.…
Read MoreYoung Ambassadors for Opportunity are celebrating #GivingTuesday
We know that there’s nothing more important in the world than our families. We do all we can each day to make sure their lives are happy, secure and comfortable. And the same is true for the millions of determined Opportunity International clients in the developing world. That’s why Arnest Sebbumba gave up a successful career in telecommunications to return to his parents’ struggling dairy farm in Uganda’s Kayunga District. With the help of an Opportunity International loan, the 25-year-old…
Read MoreThomas Bugembe Provides Brighter Futures for Ugandan Students
Thomas Balya Bugembe founded Maryhill Kindergarten and Junior School in Sonde, Uganda in 2006 with just 37 students, holding lessons in two rooms on a rented plot of land. Determined to provide a better education for his students, Thomas obtained a series of Opportunity International loans. As a result of his hard work and passion for education, Thomas purchased his own land and constructed both a kindergarten block as well as a main hall for the school which now serves 356 students. Thomas’ dream…
Read MoreOpportunity’s Banking on Africa Programs are a Step Ahead
Kristabel was an Intern with Opportunity International in the Summer of 2013. Close your eyes and picture Africa.What do you see? A hungry child? A war-torn village? It’s no surprise if you do: The portrayal of Africa in the U.S. media has long focused on its political and social crises. But as President Obama met with African business and political leaders in South Africa, Senegal and Tanzania in June of 2013, he addressed Africa as an emerging trade partner and peer—not a patient seeking urgent…
Read MoreHoward Buffett: Awareness, Knowledge and Education Key to Food Security
Farmer and philanthropist Howard G. Buffett believes we each have about 40 years—40 chances—to meet our goals. His ambitious goal is to end global hunger by 2045—a noble ideal we share here at Opportunity International. That’s why we partnered Monday with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs to present a discussion between Buffett and his son, Howard W. Buffett, who co-authored the book, 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World. The key to solving the world’s food security crisis, he…
Read MoreYour Mobile Phone Can Deliver Inspiration
Forced to flee her home to escape the violence of Colombia’s guerrilla war, Marleidis rebuilt her life with the help of an Opportunity International loan. She used the loan to set up a small shop in Cartagena to sell candy and cell phone minutes. Today, she has a steady income and is ensuring a bright future for her son and a secure beginning for her unborn child. Join Opportunity International this holiday season to honor the importance of family and celebrate entrepreneurs like Marleidis who…
Read MoreInStyle Magazine Features Malin Akerman’s Work with Opportunity International
Whatever money is made at Opportunity International’s La Emprendedora School goes back into its programs—a promise that made a life-changing impact on actress Malin Akerman during a recent Insight Trip to Nicaragua. The November issue of InStyle magazine features Malin sharing the deep connections she made with Opportunity International clients during that trip, as well as a visit to Tanzania. InStyle is distributed in the United States and 17 other countries and has a total circulation of nearly…
Read MoreIntroducing the CEM, Chief Executive Mother
Trent was an Intern with Opportunity International in the Summer of 2013. The average chief executive officer’s (CEO) responsibilities include building relationships, managing and planning. Most CEOs earn their prominent positions through experience, hard work and intelligence. These same core strengths and values comprise the foundation of a mother’s work. It’s ironic because women, despite their principal familial roles, remain one of the most subjugated social groups worldwide. The idea…
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