AZ Rhythm Connection performs (All photos: SJA Studios – Steven Aquilino)

Despite the unseasonably cold weather, the evening drew over 100 attendees from the local business and philanthropic communities. The evening opened with traditional African rhythm grooves with Baliphone, Djembe, Shakere and other traditional hand percussion provided by Frank Thompson and Keith Johnson of the AZ Rhythm Connection. Pastor Woody Garvin of Valley Presbyterian Church in nearby Paradise Valley, Ariz. offered a Thanksgiving devotional before dinner.

Pastor Woody Garvin

Special guests included Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka, a member of Opportunity’s Board of Directors and a native of the DR Congo who has extensive experience in international finance. Another distinguished speaker at the event was David Simms, board chair of Opportunity International’s Global Microfinance Operations, an experienced financial professional and a White House Fellow.

Kadita "A.T." Tshibaka

During the event, Opportunity International recognized local philanthropists who have been key champions for Opportunity’s work in the developing world. As Jon Yasuda noted in his introduction, “The people you’re about to meet have distinguished themselves for their foundational support of Opportunity, the longevity of their involvement, and their tireless commitment to educate others about our work and bring in new Governors.” Honorees included Don Ebinger; Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold; Terry and Anne Guerrant/The Guerrant Foundation; The John and Jacque Weberg Foundation; Eugene and Mary-Lynn Kaulius; and, Timothy and Rhonda Snider.

Kelly Flanagan (center) with Board of Governors members Diane Ruebling & Jeanne Lewis

During the evening’s festivities, Kelly Flanagan, a multimedia production artist and recent graduate of Arizona State University, debuted a short film from her travels to Tanzania last August with Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO) as the winner of Opportunity’s 2011 Tanzania Correspondent Contest (part of Opportunity’s spring 2011 Banking on Women campaign). She shared with the audience a bit about the clients and staff she met in Tanzania, encouraging the audience to experience their own cultural immersion on an Opportunity Insight Trip. Click here to watch Kelly’s film below entitled, “Working Women-My Journey to Tanzania with Opportunity International.”

David Simms (left) with attendee Marco Silver

David Simms closed the night calling on attendees to come alongside Opportunity to help us end poverty. “Our vision is a world in which all people have the opportunity to provide for their families and build a fulfilling life. Opportunity is uniquely equipped to realize that vision. We have solutions of scale, a global presence, the support of leading foundations and organizations, and the generous support of people like you. We have a sustainable model that multiplies all of our efforts.”

A sincere thank you to the evening’s sponsors: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Harris Bank, Mekosh Financial, and the Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Development at Arizona State University.

All photos courtesy of SJA Studios – Steven Aquilino (www.arizonaweddingphotographer.biz)

International Market Square, Minneapolis (All photos: Andrew Vick of Vick Photography)

“Side by Side” drew attendees from the Twin Cities’ business and philanthropic communities. Special guests included Don Whittaker, son of Opportunity International founder Al Whittaker; Paul Tshihamba, missions pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis and a Democratic Republic of Congo native; Mark A. Thompson, vice chair of Opportunity’s Board of Directors; Ted Moser and Sandra Davis, members of the Board of Directors; Frida Mungoma, education finance manager at Opportunity Uganda; and members of the Minnesota chapter of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO). The event co-chairs were Kelly Palmer and Katie McElroy, who are Minnesota-based members of Opportunity’s Board of Governors. Honorary event co-chairs Mary Lynn Staley (chair of the Board of Governors) and Polly McCrea (former chair, Board of Directors) were honored for their long-time service to Opportunity and its clients. Over a combined total of 23 years, with their husbands Warren Staley and Robert McCrea, these two couples have inspired more than 120 families to become supporters of Opportunity and their gifts have impacted more than 104,000 lives in the developing world.

Event Leadership team, from left: Lori Olson, Regional Director, Opportunity; Honorary event co-chairs Warren & Mary Lynn Staley, Polly & Robert McCrea; Jon Yasuda, CEO, Opportunity

In an evening of community and celebration, one of the highlights for attendees was the remarks by Don Whittaker, who reflected on his parents’ lives and their commitment to heeding Christ’s call by empowering the world’s most impoverished people. Don told the story of how one day, back in 1971, his parents Al and Marion Whittaker were sitting in church listening to a speaker articulate the need for businessmen to help people in need start and sustain businesses in the poorest countries in the world.

On the drive home, Al, who at the time was President of the International Division of Bristol Myers, told Marion he felt he was being called by God to do what the speaker had called for in church. Marion’s direct response was, “It’s about time you stop making rich people richer and start doing something for the poor.” By the fall of 1971, 53-year old Al had tendered his resignation.

Frida Mungoma, Education Finance Manager, Opportunity Uganda, & Don Whittaker, son of Opportunity founder Al Whittaker

Don reflected that his father had exchanged so much to follow this calling. He exchanged a title for a calling from God, a prestigious community for some of the most impoverished communities on earth, and big-name corporate clients for individual clients with names like Ildefonso, Alcantara, Huerta, Kwabena Darko and Namwazi.

In later years, after Marion passed away, Don would visit Al and he would ask him, “Dad, where do you want to go today?” Don would pull out his computer and take his father on a journey via the Internet to see what was going on in Opportunity’s locations. Al would sit in his chair and, with great joy, marvel at everything he saw and heard, saying over and over, “I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it.” Don remarked, “I wonder if the little boy with the five loaves and two fishes said the same thing after Jesus was finished feeding the 5,000: ‘I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it.’”

Don closed by sharing, “Our family has been blessed. We have been given a firsthand look at what God can do when He touches the hearts of individuals who respond to Him in simple faith …whether they be business-minded women, teachers, laborers or a little boy on a hillside. That is the legacy of Dad and Mom.”

Contemporary Christian musician Sara Groves performs

Moved by the spirit of the evening, long-time contributors expressed their ongoing commitment to Opportunity’s mission. Peter Deanovic, of the national YAO Board of Directors, stated, “I promise to carry on [Al Whittaker’s] legacy, working side by side with fellow supporters, staff and clients to transform even more lives. I promise to do this joyfully and with a servant’s heart.”

Frida of Opportunity Uganda said that this work is so important because “every parent on the planet wants their child to have opportunities to live their best life. And every child wants nothing more than to understand the world, and participate in it fully–body, mind and spirit.”

Betty Jane Hess, chair of the Board of Directors, reflected on Opportunity’s work in its 40th year: “What cannot be overestimated is the ability of all of us to effect positive change in the world and to engage others in this vision. Opportunity is growing. But our growth is not just about going wider, but going deeper. We’re not interested in placing dots on a map, but building strong sustainable institutions that are woven into the fabric of our clients’ communities and countries.”

African musical group Duniya Drum & Dance performs

After all, said Emily Vennerstrom, co-chair of YAO’s Minnesota chapter, “The work of Opportunity International changes lives. It changes mine, it changes thousands of lives in the world’s poorest countries, and I hope that you allow it to change yours.”

If you would like to help support Opportunity’s mission, we invite you to come alongside their work. Visit opportunity.org/support to learn how you can partner with them.

This post was written by the “Side by Side” Volunteer Committee. All photos are by Andrew Vick of Vick Photography.

Dick Leathers, member of the Board of Governors, shared how he educates church members in Houston, where frequently the reaction is “Wow, I didn’t know about that. That’s pretty cool.” Leathers said that he describes Opportunity to friends and family as a “hand up, not a hand out.”

Breakout session panel (from left): Dick Leathers, Monica Perez, Betsy Perdue, Amelia Gingold and Sonya Perez-Lauterbach.

Monica Perez, Denver chapter co-chair, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity, shared the story of the YAO Denver grew from two passionate leaders to a network of nearly 120 volunteers. Perez noted that the chapter doesn’t limit its time together to just planning meetings, but they also plan happy hours and weekend retreats to bond and create fun memories.

Betsy Perdue, board member, Women’s Opportunity Network (WON), emphasizes the feasible and tangible ways to make an impact. She shared her own outreach, as well as how her young daughter created a party and fundraising plan to benefit Opportunity, and how a group of 80 second-graders collected pennies into homemade piggy banks to fund three microloans.

Amelia Gingold, communication relations for Sunshine Sachs & Associates, closed the panel with advice on how to share your passion with others. Gingold noted that contributing to Opportunity isn’t limited to fundraising, but can be as small as taking a few minutes during dinner or a book club to share your passion, and show pictures from your Opportunity Insight Trips. She advised the audience to “think about what makes your heart happy, and put that into a sentence,” and to use that as the foundation to mold your volunteer and outreach initiatives.

Overall, the panel reiterated that getting involved and volunteering should be fun, and shaped by the interests and talents of the individual. There’s no limit in how to make an impact through Opportunity International. As Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, the manager of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity, said at the beginning of the session, “If it ain’t fun, it’s hard to get done.”

This post was written by Allison Altdoerffer. Allison is a public relations professional and a member of the YAO – San Francisco chapter.

Highlights from Nadine Pembele’s Presentation

I am very honored to have the opportunity to join you this weekend, and to speak to you all tonight.

I’d like to give you a brief snapshot of my country. The DRC, once known as Zaire, is the second largest country in Africa after Algeria, with a population estimated at nearly 72 million, 60% of whom are under age 20. Its size is equivalent to that of the 24 countries of the European Union. You can see the potential and opportunities that are available in the DRC.

However, from 1997 to 2007, two wars destroyed the only few infrastructures and productive activities that still remained in the country. People were forced to live in poor economic, inhumane, and unsanitary conditions.

A decade of violence and systematic abuse has stigmatized many of the people who, to this day, continue to bear the consequences of these atrocities. According to the International Rescue Committee, more than 5 million people lost their lives due to war, disease, and hunger between 1998 and 2003. More and more people continue to die due to curable diseases and inadequate public services, infrastructure, equipment and access to care, particularly in rural areas. And our rate of infant mortality is one of the highest in the world and 80% of our people live on one dollar or less a day.

You can appreciate why our clients are so grateful that Opportunity International has established a microfinance bank in our country. You could see the join on the faces in the video.

Opportunity DRC’s mission is to help change the statistics I’ve just reported–by helping people living in poverty through financial tools and training to transform their lives. Every member of our bank is committed to support this mission as a team.

Opportunity DRC will fulfill our mission by equipping and empowering people not only with the right financial tools, but through financial literacy training, coaching, health education and basic life skills. We believe that transformation cannot happen without a holistic approach to serving our clients.

In addition to loans, we have applied for a license from the Central Bank to include savings and other important financial products. With these tools, we will be better able to empower our clients, helping to improve their lives and their communities.

Since opening our Masina Branch to the public in January this year, we have granted more than $800,000 in loans to over 5,000 customers, 65% of whom are women. The vast majority of our clients now have access to banking services for the first time in their lives.

Last month we opened our second branch in Kasa-Vubu, a section of Kinshasa with 190,000 inhabitants. To date, more than 332 loans have been paid out by our young team of loan officers, who have given themselves a year to reach 5,000 clients in the area, and I believe they will succeed.

At Opportunity DRC, we are guided to act from by our core values, not only in the workplace but in our personal lives. Only in this way can we experience the transformation that we seek to see in others.

Before coming to Opportunity DRC, I had only my hope in God and my desire to keep the values that allow an individual to grow inwardly first. Since joining the bank I have a place where I cannot only blossom but can share these beliefs for the development of my community.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to stand before you tonight to thank you for the commitment you have shown to those living in poverty in Democratic Republic of Congo. We will never stop thanking you for all the support and prayers you have given us.

On behalf of the staff and clients of Opportunity DRC, I would also like to thank a group of people who played a critical role in bringing Opportunity to the DRC. They have given of their finances; some have visited the country; through their conference calls, they have sought to know about our progress and challenges; and, they have continued to pray for Opportunity DRC and the Congolese people. They are known as the balami team – a Congolese word meaning “shepherd.”

Thank you Belami team, and thanks to all of you here tonight, for your generous and continued support. Merci. Merci beaucoup.

A bit about Nadine

Nadine Pembele is head of training for Opportunity International in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nadine assists with staff recruitment, manages staff training, updates current staff programs and presents modules on customer care. She also manages the induction program for new staff, facilitates company events, and with the CEO, develops training on transformation. Following her studies at Christian University of Kinshasa, she joined Opportunity DRC in July of 2010 and participated in its grand opening.

From the Lotts’ speech…

Ronnie and Karen Lott encourage the audience to give love and compassion to end global poverty.

Karen: We are grateful to be here with you today to share just a little about our story–one of community, family, and hope. Ronnie and I have always shared a love for our community, and over the years this community of ours has given us so very much.

For the last 20 years we have worked to support local kids and their families through our foundation, All Stars Helping Kids. As a parent, it breaks my heart to see children in circumstances that would bring the best of us to our knees, and they are circumstances they did not choose.

We believe that while our circumstances may not be the same, in every way that matters we are all more alike than we are different.

An Insight Trip to Malawi

Ronnie and I have promised each other to do as much as we can, whenever we can, to help others that are not able to help themselves. When I was introduced to Opportunity International through a VP of Resource Development, Michele Ruby, she told me stories of African women and children who had received loans, whose lives were being transformed.

We decided to see for ourselves. In 2006 we took our family on an Insight Trip to Malawi. What we saw was staggering. Poverty and AIDS were devastating the African continent. Extended families and orphanages were stretched beyond their limits. My heart broke, especially for the children, and I will never be the same.

And yet, in the midst of the despair, we saw hope. Poor but resourceful women were using loans and training from Opportunity to empower themselves financially. And it was working. It made them better able to protect themselves and their children from HIV and AIDS.

It was in Malawi that we met Talekeleni Kagaso, the woman you saw in the video. She lived in a slum outside the capital. She and her husband, both Opportunity clients, ran a small grocery store. Their two small children were in school, and the success of their small enterprise made their lives and outlook radically different from their neighbors.

Their transformation has not just been economic. Because of the confidence and security Talekeleni gained from her small business, Ronnie and I could see that she was a source of strength in her community. Standing tall against a backdrop of poverty and desolation, she and her “village of hope” were–and, with God’s grace, will continue to be–the future of Africa.

As a mom, I continue to see the need to encourage and support all children regardless of where their community is, whether here or in Africa. And with Opportunity supporting women and mothers in the developing world, I know their children will be cared for.

Ronnie: This takes you back to the understanding of what love is all about. We’re all neighbors, whether across the street or across the continent.

We believe in “localizing love.” When you’re in a foreign land, and somebody loves you, it makes you “local” right away. I want to thank all of you for being here. Always extend your love, give of your love, and give of your financial resources. You will make a difference. Thank you very much.

A bit about Ronnie & Karen Lott

Ronnie Lott, NFL Hall of Fame Inductee; Co-founder, All Stars Helping Kids

Ronnie Lott’s legendary career included four Super Bowl titles and 10 Pro Bowl appearances. Ronnie retired from professional football in 1994 after having played 10 seasons with the 49ers, plus additional years with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. In 1994, he was selected as the safety for the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Ronnie is co-founder of All Stars Helping Kids, which supports disadvantaged youth in the Bay Area and throughout the nation. He has traveled to Africa three times to learn about and represent Opportunity’s work.

Karen Lott, Co-founder, All Stars Helping Kids

Karen Lott is an active community leader, volunteer and a dedicated advocate for the work of Opportunity International. She serves on Opportunity’s Board of Governors as well as the board of directors of All Stars Helping Kids, a charity founded by her husband, Ronnie Lott. An active member of Saratoga Federated Church, Karen led her church’s response to the economic and AIDS crisis in 2003 by traveling to Ghana as the featured actress and narrator in Opportunity’s video, “Race Against the Fire.” Karen has been to Africa three times to learn about and represent Opportunity’s work in Kenya, Malawi and Ghana. Prior to being a full-time volunteer and parent, Karen was a professional model. She has a degree in secondary art education from Oregon State University.

This session was streamed live at opportunity.org/live. Visit opportunity.org/live throughout the conference to watch the sessions live.

Ann is carrying only 20 pounds of supplies on her back and staying in rustic hostels along the way. “Trusting that my daily needs will be met by the community along the Camino,” she says, “I will be living a simple life of faith, not unlike the women who are members of Opportunity Trust Groups.”

Explaining her motivation, Ann says, “For over seven years, I have been dedicated to supporting Opportunity International as it empowers women living in poverty in the developing world to create and grow businesses so that they may support, educate, and nurture their families. I am inspired by the miraculous changes that occur in the lives of these courageous women and in their families and communities.” Last year, Ann and her husband Steven Brooks, who live in Baltimore, Md., joined the Board of Governors in order to even further deepen their commitment to Opportunity.

Ann has the generous support of the T. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, which will match any funds (up to $10,000) donated by T. Rowe Price employees to her online fundraiser. Show your support for Ann’s pilgrimage by contributing to her online fundraiser, which is still accepting donations, and by sharing words of encouragement on her fundraiser page.

Want to put your faith into action? Support Opportunity through a walk, run, birthday, or any other event or life challenge. Go to opportunity.org/fundraiser to start your own online fundraiser today.

Teaching Cartagena’s Youth to Dream Big

“Dream Big!” hailed Alejandra Sayas as she shared with us her greatest challenges and hopes in her work with the youth of Cartagena. She said, “My biggest challenge has been to encourage kids in a society that does not encourage or allow them to dream.” Alejandra is the leader of Opportunity Colombia’s Youth Entrepreneur Program, an innovative program to reach the high-risk youth of Colombia. Her inspirational message to them is clear: dream big.

We all sat in a circle in a very modest Baptist Church located blocks away from one of the most dangerous slums in Cartagena, as Alejandra told us how she helps some of the nearly 280 kids in the program do just that. We met Rafael, a 22-year-old entrepreneur, who believes that he and his friends “lack the knowledge to grow a business,” and so he said, “we want education.” Opportunity’s Youth Entrepreneur Program is a novel way to bring them that education by teaching them to develop a business plan. This is the next generation of Opportunity International clients. They have seen their parent’s life improve through Opportunity International loans and now they want to progress and work their way out of the poverty that has befallen them. Their parents have left them a legacy of Opportunity: work, faith, hope, and the ability to dream big. Rafael commented that they were distinctive from the other youth in his village and said, “In Colombia they are training the youth to be workers rather than business people, so we [Youth Entrepreneur Program] are different than them.”

One Loan Empowers a Group of Women in Need

In a village 30 minutes away, we met a group of single pregnant women who are also learning to dream big. Before finding Clevis Berrios, an Opportunity Colombia individual loan client, and her seamstress business, these women were left alone to care for their babies. Clevis told us of her own similar circumstances years prior that led her to start a foundation called thePuertas Abiertas Foundation, which cares for and trains single mothers in a trade so that they can earn money for their family. She used her loan to buy sewing machines and now, because of her foundation’s success, is training about 10-20 women to sew, knit, stitch and embroider.

Clevis’s hopes and dreams are to reach even more women by opening satellite locations with multiple sewing machines in order to bring the businesses closer to the women’s homes since transportation and childcare are often a problem among the poor. Clevis’s heart is to further help women to become self-sustaining and independent, just as she was afforded that same opportunity through her Opportunity International loan.

Big Business Dreams Become a Reality

Not far down the unpaved road in the village of Arjona, Wilmer also had a big dream. He took a leap a faith and invested all he had, along with his first Opportunity loan of $125, to purchase four small pigs. Wilmer has turned the small loan into a successful business raising pigs for local restaurants and markets. He quickly generated enough capital to pay cash for more pigs as he saw a chance to do so. But his dream did not stop there; he ultimately expanded into cheese production which employs three other villagers. Wilmer has even higher dreams of attracting investors to his business so he can continue to grow and generate income for more people in his village who struggle daily with extreme poverty.

A Displaced Woman Has a Roof Over Her Head

Around the corner from Wilmer and his Trust Group we met Carmen Jiménez, from the war-torn region of Bolivar, who was displaced by violence in her country about 13 years ago. She arrived in Cartagena with only the belongings on her back. She and her husband Carlos Sierra have three children and hope that they will have a better life, including the opportunity for an education that was so abruptly taken from Carmen and Carlos. Having been exiled from her homeland for so many years, Carmen has dreamed of having her own home for her family, and with an Opportunity loan through the new roof-and-floor program, the dream of a permanent and safe home is becoming a reality for them.

Today, we met many clients who are successfully being helped through Opportunity International; four of them are highlighted here as well as four inventive programs that Opportunity makes available to these clients. We saw Trust Groups, Individual Loan clients, and the Youth Entrepreneur Program in action. In a way, we see the correlation between an organization that is innovative and dreams big dreams in assisting the poor in new ways, and the people they assist, like Rafael, Clevis, Wilmer and Carmen, who are generating these dreams for themselves through faith, hard work, perseverance, and an Opportunity loan. Just as Alejandra so eloquently said with such conviction, we all need to dream big. This is an ability that Opportunity International is affording so many who are living in extreme poverty and we have the privilege of being a part of their solution. How amazing to watch their dreams materialize and how they are ultimately sharing the legacy of Opportunity with the next generation of dreamers.

Stay tuned to the Opportunity Blog for more updates from the Family Week Trip to Colombia in the coming days ahead.

The organizers of YAO-ZA! (Photo: emilyelizabethphoto.com)

Greetings from the Denver chapter of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO). We are thrilled to officially become part of the YAO network after YAO-ZA!, our successful chapter launch on Saturday, May 21st. Thanks to a dedicated team and the generous support of our sponsors, families and friends, we were able to raise over $10,000–enough to fund two Trust Groups at Opportunity Tanzania–and spread awareness about Opportunity International’s microfinance work, all while having a great time!

YAO - Denver co-chairs Caitlin Andrews (left) & Monica Perez cut the ribbon. (Photo: emilyelizabethphoto.com)

Nearly 250 Denverites from all parts of the city came to hear about YAO and enjoy a night of local art, music, food and drink. We were lucky enough to be joined by Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, the manager of YAO, as well as members of the Board of Governors, and our keynote speaker Daniel Ryumugabe, the Transformational Impact Manager at Opportunity Rwanda. After some brief words about Opportunity International’s mission and history, we introduced the co-chairs and a few of the members of YAO – Denver, and cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.

Attendees enjoy local art plus handmade Rwandan crafts from Trading for Treasures. (Photo: emilyelizabethphoto.com)

We were thrilled to find a venue for the event in Denver’s Santa Fe Art District at the Colorado Arts Center, Inc.  (CACI). A huge thanks is due to CACI’s executive director Jeff King for hosting the launch. CACI is a local art nonprofit dedicated to growing Denver’s creative spaces.

Many more thanks are due to the local businesses, individuals, and nonprofit organizations that donated their time, energy, and financial support to get YAO – Denver up and running. It’s because of their collaboration that we were able to take an idea, refine it over months of weekly meetings, and develop it into a successful fundraiser and the start of an exciting new globally-minded community in Denver. With some healthy doses of trial, error, and creativity we navigated the logistical hurdles–including finding super-sized scissors for ribbon cutting!–to host this launch and future YAO – Denver events!

Opportunity Rwanda's Daniel Ryumugabe (Photo: emilyelizabethphoto.com)

Now that YAO-Denver is officially established, we have big plans to follow up with a leader retreat and a happy hour on June 9th at Diego’s Mexican Cantina in LoDo. As for the next big event, we’re inspired by other chapters who have hosted benefit concerts–like YAO – Chicago’s Tunes for Tanzania last November–and we hope to plan one of our own this fall.

YAO – Denver is so grateful for the community’s support and we can’t wait to grow our chapter.

Check out YAO – Denver on Facebook for more YAO-ZA! photos and for updates on future events. All photography by Emily Elizabeth Photography.

To join YAO – Denver, register with YAO and check the Denver box in the Chapters section.

Daniel Ryumugabe (second from right) and attendees of Monday's book discussion. From left: Jill Dailey Smith, Edna Schade, DeeDee Spence, Darlene Hanson, Kim Stephens, Daniel, & Linda Vander Weele.

Left to Tell is the story of how Immaculée Ilibagiza’s life in Rwanda was upended dramatically one day in 1994 when she and seven other women huddled silently in a cramped bathroom in a local pastor’s home for 91 days to escape the violence of the Rwandan genocide. When it was all over, Ilibagiza had lost most of her family, but she survived to share the miraculous story of her transition into forgiveness and a profound relationship with God. She now works for the United Nations in New York City and has established the Left to Tell Charitable Fund to help others heal from the long-term effects of genocide and war.

The group of women at Monday’s meeting is always eager to participate in an intellectual discussion about a gripping book like Left to Tell. But with Daniel in attendance, his inside knowledge of life in Rwanda today, as well as his daily work with people rebuilding their lives, helped bring the events in the book into tangible relief and put them in historical context.

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculée Ilibagiza

Together, we explored the meaning and the impact of the events in the book, examining them in light of the post-colonial history of Rwanda since its liberation from Belgium in 1962, including violent military coups and cycles of conflict, culminating in 1994′s genocide. For Ilibagiza, we discussed what helped her survive her ordeal, and the aftermath of her experience, including what she terms “the pain of freedom.” We also spent time exploring the power of forgiveness, and how reconciliation within a nation can contribute to development and ultimately a more stable culture.

Daniel shared that Rwanda has been healing since the genocide through improved economic development, with solutions like microfinance and an emphasis on education for all in order to add to the stability of the country. He shared that Rwandan president Paul Kagame has set a bold goal for Rwanda, striving to graduate from being a developing country, and establish a middle class, by 2020. An ambitious goal given that 90% of the country lives on $2 a day. Kagame is also working to build a national identity that does not focus on fractious labels or disparate groups, but on reconciliation and unity.

Ultimately, Daniel acknowledged the horror and long-term impact of the Rwandan genocide, but he also helped us more deeply understand the journey that the country has been on since then and their collective hopes for the future. What a privilege it was to gain Daniel’s insight on this impactful book, lending our discussion an even greater resonance and richness.

At Opportunity, we’re always looking for our next good read. Do you have suggestions for great books about global development or issues faced by people in the developing world? Tell us about them in the comment field below.

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
-Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky

Panel (from left): Carol Adelman, Byron Johnson, Susan Raymond, Dennis Whittle and David Simms.

Panelists included:

• David Simms, Chair, Board of Directors, Opportunity International Network Services Organization
• Byron Johnson, Director, Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion
• Susan Raymond, Executive Vice President, Changing our World, Inc.
• Dennis Whittle, President, The Whittle Group; and Co-founder, GlobalGiving
• Carol Adelman (moderator), Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity

Each panelist offered their unique perspective on philanthropy with respect to their fields of work and individual passions for changing the world for the better through charitable action. Common threads ran through the discussion including the need for greater transparency and accountability, the role of technology in propelling philanthropic action, and the new generation of philanthropists who are increasingly focused on positive, sustainable outcomes.

Opportunity International‘s David Simms spoke about the important role that microfinance plays in the future and the sustainability of philanthropy, making a practical impact on poverty alleviation efforts. He told the group about his long-running affiliation with Opportunity, and how a trip to meet the people of Jamaica solidified his assertion that financial inclusion empowers individuals to build themselves up and out of poverty.

Opportunity's David Simms addresses the audience on the power of microfinance.

Based on his work with Opportunity, David shared his predictions for the future of philanthropy saying, “I think philanthropy will continue to drive innovation. In the absence of philanthropy, Opportunity International would not have started banks; we would not have had the courage to do the things we’ve done over the last 40 years. Without philanthropy we couldn’t fund schools, protect farmers, etc. Philanthropy will drive increasing accountability, there is now a business model being applied to social outcomes. Philanthropy will drive a learning agenda because there is a willingness to collaborate across philanthropic and research organizations. I also believe that philanthropy will become increasingly personal. Through Opportunity International, a person can pick a loan they want to support and track the progress of the person they’ve funded.”

The event concluded with a Q&A session, which was a chance for individuals who work in philanthropy to learn more from the panel. Among the audience members there to hear from David Simms and his fellow panelists were Carrie Slease, Opportunity International Regional Director; Bruce Smith, member of Opportunity’s Board of Governors; and Emily Egan, co-chair of the DC chapter of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity.

Watch the full-length video of the Hudson Institute’s May 12 panel discussion: