Monthly Archives: September 2010

What We’re Reading: What Is the What by Dave Eggers

What Is the What, a novel by Dave Eggers, recounts the real-life experiences of one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan.” By Allison Bearden, Resource Development Intern, Opportunity International Every Wednesday, we highlight an article, book or a blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We feature works that are noteworthy, inspiring, educational or relevant Read more…

Posted in Our Motivation, What We're Reading
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Irene D. Pritzker, and Attendees of World Leadership Forum Dinner, Reflect on her Global Philanthropy Award and the Work of IDP Rising Schools Program

“We have created a new way to educate millions of poor children – who like all children, have big dreams.” -Irene D. Pritzker, accepting the Global Philanthropy Award at the Foreign Policy Association World Leadership Forum Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010  On Wednesday night, Irene D. Pritzker, co-founder and president of IDP Foundation, Inc., Read more…

Posted in Events, Our Work, Strategic Partners
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Teri Goudie, Inspired by Half the Sky, Summits Mount Kilimanjaro for Women in Poverty

One week ago, Teri Goudie, a former TV producer for Chicago’s ABC 7, traveled to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, raising donations for Opportunity International and the Janada L. Batchelor Foundation for Children (JBFC). Goudie was inspired to accomplish this incredible feat after reading the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Sheryl Read more…

Posted in Events, OptINnow, Our Leadership, Our Work, Women's Opportunity Network
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What We’re Reading: “Investing in Women & Girls” (MediaPlanet supplement, USA Today)

 Every Wednesday on our blog, we highlight an article, book or a blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We’ll feature pieces or works that are noteworthy, inspiring, educational or relevant to the work we do at Opportunity. We welcome your comments in the comment field below–tell us what you’re reading, or respond to the Read more…

Posted in Our Work, Strategic Partners, What We're Reading, Women's Opportunity Network
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UN Gathers This Week to Eradicate Poverty Through the MDG’s

The UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is taking place this week at the UN Headquarters in New York City. A gathering of 140 world leaders are strategizing and discussing how to achieve the eight goals in order to eradicate extreme poverty and its root causes by 2015. I was deeply inspired by their work and their words. Here Read more…

Posted in Events, What We're Reading
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3 Breakout Sessions Not to Miss at Fall Microfinance Conference

At Opportunity’s Fall Microfinance Conference, Oct. 8-9, in Washington, D.C., the days will be packed with breakout sessions and presentations from microfinance experts, international visitors and globally-minded individuals passionate about eradicating poverty. For me, this will be my first Opportunity microfinance conference[/intlink], and I’m really looking forward to hearing from guest speakers[/intlink] like Pulitzer Prize-winner Sheryl Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Strategic Partners, Technology
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YAO Runs to Eradicate Poverty in the Chicago Half Marathon & 5K

YAO member Taina Collazo shares why she ran the 5K: Last Sunday, YAO members arrived in Jackson Park in Chicago to take on a formidable challenge: run the Chicago Half Marathon & 5K to raise awareness and support for Opportunity’s poverty-eradicating initiatives in the developing world. Seventeen registered runners and a number of volunteers dedicated time and Read more…

Posted in Events, OptINnow, Our Work, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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Irene Pritzker, IDP Foundation, Honored with Global Philanthropy Award

Opportunity International congratulates Irene Pritzker, co-founder and president of the IDP Foundation, Inc., who will be honored with the Foreign Policy Association’s Global Philanthropy Award at the World Leadership Forum Dinner on Sept. 22, 2010. The IDP Foundation is a strategic partner[/intlink] to Opportunity International, working with us on campaigns to promote education and educational Read more…

Posted in Events, Our Work, Strategic Partners, Where We Work
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“5 Myths About Poverty that Christians Should Renounce” by Mark Lutz

Mark Lutz, Opportunity’s senior vice president of global philanthropy and author of the book UnPoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor, wrote the following post on CNN’s Belief Blog, renouncing five myths about global poverty.  See the original post on CNN’s Belief Blog. To learn more about the book UnPoverty, check out UnPoverty.org and our recent blog post[/intlink].  Poverty Read more…

Posted in Faith in Action, Our Leadership, Our Work, What We're Reading
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News from Africa: New Mobile Banks and Bank Branches for Microfinance Clients in Mozambique

Great news from Mozambique! Banco Oportunidade de Moçambique is proud to announce the August opening of the Chokwé branch and Chimoio mobile bank.  Additionally, Opportunity Mozambique[/intlink] expanded in 2010 with two new hub branch offices, and received approval from both the municipal and Central Bank authorities to open its first container branch office in the Matendene Market. Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Loans, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Strategic Partners, Where We Work
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