Blog Archives

What We’re Watching: Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka’s Voice of America Interview on Congo Grand Opening

Following the grand opening of our first regulated microfinance institution in the DR Congo, Congolese native and Opportunity supporter Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka appeared on Voice of America‘s In Focus TV program, which airs throughout Africa, to discuss the growth of microfinance in the DRC and the impact of Opportunity DRC on the lives of the Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Events, Loans, Our Leadership, Our Work, Where We Work
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What We’re Reading: Roger Thurow on Bill Gates at the Symposium on Global Agriculture & Food Security

The following post, “Expert Commentary–The Importance of Innovation” by Roger Thurow, was published today on the Chicago Council on Global Affairs‘ Global Food for Thought blog about the Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security that took place today in Washington, D.C.. Bill Gates came to the Chicago Council’s Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Resources, Rural Outreach, Savings, Strategic Partners, Technology, What We're Reading, Where We Work
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“Why Farming?” Today’s Symposium on Global Agriculture & Food Security in Washington, D.C.

Today in Washington, D.C., the Chicago Council on Global Affairs‘ “The Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security: Progress to Date and Strategies for Success” with noted experts in agricultural policy, global development, philanthropy and more. Keynote Speakers: Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Rajiv Shah, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Resources, Rural Outreach, Savings, Strategic Partners, What We're Reading
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What We’re Watching: Today’s Grand Opening of Opportunity DR Congo in Kinshasa

Opportunity International staff around the world have been eagerly watching our Facebook and the Opportunity Blog all day, keeping up with news and updates from today’s grand opening ceremony at Opportunity Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Kinshasa. Presenters at the celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony included Opportunity DRC CEO Gilbert Lagaillarde; Opportunity International US Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Events, Loans, Local Staffing, Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Work, Where We Work
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Grand Opening Today of Opportunity DR Congo: Expanding Microfinance to One of World’s Most Impoverished Countries

Today at 10:00 a.m. local time, Opportunity International celebrated the grand opening of Opportunity Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the capital city of Kinshasa, expanding our network of microfinance institutions to the Congo. The grand opening ceremony was attended by local government officials and dignitaries, Opportunity representatives from the DRC and the United States, as Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Events, Loans, Local Staffing, Our Leadership, Our Mission and Vision, Our Motivation, Our Work, Where We Work
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On Mother’s Day We Honor Judith, a Microfinance Client & Mother Who Inspires, Empowers and Loves

The following is a guest post by Olivia Schultz, an intern in the marketing department at Opportunity International. You may have seen her picture on our website and Facebook page, in USA Today, or on a postcard for our Mother’s Day Gift Cards. In honor of Mother’s Day, we celebrate the story of Opportunity Kenya Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Local Staffing, Where We Work, Women's Opportunity Network
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LiveBlog: Chicago Microfinance Conference-”Does Microfinance Really Work? – Measuring Social Performance of MFIs”

At this first breakout session of today’s conference, moderator Kathleen Odell, assistant professor of economics at the Dominican University Brennan School of Business, leads a panel of academics and microfinance professionals to explore and debate the benefits of microfinance to effectively help people escape poverty. The panel discusses the actual impact of microfinance–and whether such Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Resources, Savings
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LiveBlog: Chicago Microfinance Conference, Morning Keynote on Savings & More with CEO Bill Morgenstern

This morning, the 7th annual Chicago Microfinance Conference launched at 8:30 a.m. at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Around 9:15, Opportunity International CEO Bill Morgenstern took the stage for a keynote Q&A with Dennis Barsema, an instructor of social entrepreneurship and microfinance at Northern Illinois’s College of Business and a long-time supporter of Opportunity. Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Our Leadership, Our Work, Savings, Technology
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What We’re Reading: Roger Thurow Interview on Hunger, Microfinance and More

On Wednesdays, we highlight an article, book or blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We feature works that are noteworthy, inspiring, educational or relevant to the microfinance work we do at Opportunity. We welcome your comments in the comment field below–-tell us what you’re reading, or respond to the piece we’ve highlighted. The following Read more…

Posted in Loans, What We're Reading, Where We Work
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Happy Easter from Opportunity International

As we celebrate Easter, a season of rebirth and renewal, we are also reminded of the rebirth and recovery of our clients all over the world who are creating change in their lives and improving their futures. Meet Faustina Amoah, just one of the many Opportunity International clients who have been able to transform their Read more…

Posted in Loans, OptINnow, Where We Work
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