Sugey pushes her cart, laden with sandals, for 40 minutes to and from her spot in the market.
Experience Microfinance at Work
Sugey Armenteo pushes her cart, laden with sandals, for 40 minutes to and from her spot in the market. She is one of the two to three million people in Colombia who have become displaced as a result of the decades-long armed conflict. She and her family live in a shantytown with no water or sewage system. But since she found Opportunity International in 2008, she has renewed hope. Her sandal business has grown and she has repaid her first loan of $109. She has made dramatic changes in the months since becoming an Opportunity client. Her children are well-fed and they attend school, and she now has a savings account and a life insurance policy. “My cart provides me with a living,” she says. “My goal is to become a wholesaler with my own store, and make our lives so much better.”
Join us for a two-night insight trip to Colombia, October 5-7, just before the Opportunity International Microfinance Conference. An insight trip is the best way to experience the far-reaching impact of Opportunity’s microfinance services firsthand.
- Walk alongside our loan officers and staff as they provide the tools people need to work their way out of poverty
- Join a Trust Group meeting to hear stories of our clients’ struggles and successes
- Meet hardworking entrepreneurs who are alive with newfound hope for a better future
- Learn how Opportunity is building a bank to serve millions of Colombians, many of whom have been displaced due to decades of armed conflict
Download the Insight Trip Brochure
Itinerary
Tuesday, October 5: Depart in the morning for Cartegena Colombia. Local Opportunity staff will meet you upon arrival and take you to your hotel. Dinner and orientation with CEO , Opportunity Colombia.
Wednesday, October 6: After breakfast, travel in the field to meet individual clients. Hear their personal stories, learn about their businesses and discover how they are working their way out of poverty. After lunch, continue to interact with our amazing clients and their families. Return to the hotel to rest and then have dinner with the leadership staff in Cartagena.
Thursday, October 7: Fly to the Microfinance Conference in Washington D.C. carrying with you a renewed vision of microfinance as a solution to poverty and stories to share with fellow Governors.
Our primary focus is your safety and comfort
In our 10 years of conducting Insight Trips all over the world, we have always provided a safe and rewarding visit for our participants. Every trip is carefully planned in conjunction with local Opportunity staff and hospitality experts to ensure your safety and comfort. We will also offer you a guidebook that includes everything you need to know about traveling in that particular country.
