Monthly Archives: September 2009

Spotlight from the Field: Naomi and her Royal Seed Orphanage

Naomi. I have never met a woman so determined to make a difference. Her bright eyes sparkled, her hands showed the toughness that comes from work, and from her mouth poured words of encouragement and empowerment. I had the pleasure to meet Naomi and tour her Royal Seed Orphanage in Ghana while on an Insight Read more…

Posted in Faith in Action, Insight Trips, Our Mission and Vision, Our Work
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Insight Trip: Rwanda Day 4 – AJ Renold

This post is a part of an on-going series from members of the . It shares their stories as they travel from the United States to Tanzania and Rwanda. Today we visited Opportunity Rwanda’s bank branch in Nyamata, about a 45-minute drive from Kigali. When we arrived, we were greeted by three  who had been Read more…

Posted in Insight Trips, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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Real-Time Conversation. Real-Time Impact. #Mifimon

One of the things I love about Twitter is that you’re able to experience real-time industry developments and thought exchange. I love seeing people discuss social entrepreneurship, music, literature and food.   Individuals can discover new resources that help grow their knowledge of the world and space in which they operate. It is truly fascinating. This Read more…

Posted in OptINnow, Our Work
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Painters, Activists & Engineers at the Clinton Global Initiative

On the last evening of The Clinton Global Initiative, I ended up chatting with the following three people: a painter who uses his art to teach children in Mexico about tolerance and peace, a small business loan officer who works for a community development organization in Harlem, and an engineer who is piloting a solar Read more…

Posted in Events, Our Mission and Vision
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Investing in Women and Girls

According the to the UN, women undertake 66% of the world’s work. They produce 50% of the worlds food. In spite of this, they earn only 10% of the world’s income. And they own only 1% of the world’s property. With statistics like these, it is no wonder that the Clinton Global Initiative emphasizes the Read more…

Posted in Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Motivation, Our Work, Women's Opportunity Network
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Insight Trip: Tanzania/Rwanda Day 3 – Suzie Hofert

This post is a part of an on-going series from members of the Young Ambassadors for Opportunity. It shares their stories as they travel from the United States to Tanzania and Rwanda: Guest Post by Suzie Hofert. Sept. 9, 2009 We woke up at the crack of dawn to fly to Rwanda. Getting through airport Read more…

Posted in Insight Trips, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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Initiating Change in Education: Opportunity’s CGI Commitment at 2:45 p.m. EST #cgi09

Ambitions soar, hope floats, and change hangs in the air each year at the Clinton Global Initiative. This year is no exception. Today (Wednesday), at 2:45 p.m. EST, Madeline Albright will spotlight Opportunity International as a key player in the advancement of opportunities for children in the developing world. By introducing tuition savings accounts, school Read more…

Posted in Events, Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Work
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The Most Famous Person You’ve Never Heard of

Gurdev Khush and Sant Virmani with Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug (Center) Not many Nobel Peace Prize winners remain unknown in their home country. What is more surprising is that an estimated one-sixth of the world’s population is alive because of a man virtually invisible in the U.S. “Though barely known in the country of his Read more…

Posted in Our Work, Rural Outreach, Where We Work
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Women Advancing Microfinance in Chicago

At Opportunity International’s US office, we draw our motivation and sense of purpose from the stories of our clients and their families as they build a bridge out of poverty. This week, I am further inspired by a different group of people – the members of Women Advancing Microfinance (WAM) Chicago. On September 17th this Read more…

Posted in Our Mission and Vision
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Insight Trip: Tanzania Day 2 – Suzie Hofert

This post is a part of a continued series of guest posts from YAO members who recently visited Tanzania and Rwanda on an Insight Trip: Guest Post by Suzie Hofert. Sept. 8, 2009 Today we met many different Opportunity International clients — each one unique in what he or she was selling. One of the clients was Read more…

Posted in Insight Trips, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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