Blog Archives

Kenyan Government Declares Two Days of Mourning for Victims of Monday’s Fire

On Tuesday, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki declared Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Thursday, Sept. 15 to be days of national mourning following Monday’s oil pipeline fire that has claimed the lives of more than 100 people to date, and injured more than 100 others. The president and the national Cabinet have determined that during these two days, Read more…

Posted in Events, Our Mission and Vision, Where We Work
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Retrospective on Opportunity’s 40 Years: Spotlight on the 1990s

Opportunity International celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In honor of our four decades partnering with microfinance clients, we’re taking a look back at all the triumphs and joys of helping people around the world create change in their lives. A Look Back at the ’90s In the 1990s, Opportunity expanded into new continents, bringing tremendous Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Events, Loans, Our Work, Where We Work
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Photo Journey of Meeting Microfinance Clients in Rwanda and Uganda

Uganda- A young girl (right) welcomes an Opportunity International visitor from the floor of her father’s shop in a Kampala market. Her young father is an enterprising entrepreneur and Trust Group member who runs a small boutique that sells both new and old clothes, mattresses, and small luggage. Business is good, he reports, and he Read more…

Posted in Insight Trips, Loans, Local Staffing, Rural Outreach, Training, Trust Groups, Where We Work
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What We’re Reading: ONE Blog on Horn of Africa Conference Call with Dikembe Mutombo, Cindy McCain, K’naan

On Friday, Aug. 26th, ONE hosted a conference call with Cindy McCain, musician K’naan and NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo about the famine in the Horn of Africa, answering ONE members’ questions and discussing news from the ground. Below, see the post on the ONE Blog about the call.  “How can we help?” That was the question Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, One Hen Children’s Book, Resources, Uncategorized, Women's Opportunity Network
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We’re Celebrating 40 Years of Poverty Alleviation through Microfinance

For 40 years, Opportunity International has been blessed to serve millions of microfinance clients and honored to partner with passionate supporters committed to ending global poverty. Today, our staff touches the lives of clients on four continents, we develop innovative products that protect families and communities, expand services to remote and rural areas, and so much Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Our Leadership, Our Work, What We're Reading
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Back to School with a Visit to See Education Finance in Action in Uganda

As we head back to school in the U.S., we’re thinking a lot about our educational loan clients and school proprietors around the world, and the impoverished children who are receiving an education because of them. Here, staff member Mark shares what he learned about education finance on his recent visit to a primary school in Kampala, Read more…

Posted in Insight Trips, Loans, Our Work, Resources, Where We Work
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Opportunity Staff Interview on BBC Radio 2

Listen today! BBC Radio 2‘s Jeremy Vine interviews Nick Lea, development economist and an Opportunity trustee, and Lydia Baffour Awuah, head of Africa programs at Opportunity UK. Recording of interview is only available until 2:02 p.m. GMT+1 on Tuesday, Aug. 30th (9:02 a.m. EST in the United States). Listen to the 10-minute interview by clicking here. ** (The interview Read more…

Posted in Loans, Our Leadership, Our Work, Resources, Savings, Trust Groups, Where We Work
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Last Chance to Triple Your Impact–The Banking on Africa Summer Campaign Ends Tonight

Congratulations! Because of your support, our Banking on Africa campaign has reached its $75,000 summer goal, making crucial progress toward the day when all people in Sub-Saharan Africa will be able to access powerful financial services that enable them to break the cycle of poverty. Inspired by your enthusiastic support, the 2-to-1 match has been extended until Read more…

Posted in Bank Building, Events, Our Work, Resources, Where We Work
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Top 5 Creative Fundraisers by International Nonprofits

Last February, 29 super-dedicated young professionals and entrepreneurs went to Orlando, Florida to jump out of a plane, skydiving to raise funds and awareness for Opportunity Tanzania‘s microfinance initiatives. Inspired by our supporters’ fundraiser at 18,000 feet, we entered Jump for Opportunity as the “Most Creative Fundraiser by a Charity” in this year’s Classy Awards. Read more…

Posted in Events, Resources, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
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My First Trust Group Experience, a Traveler’s Report from Uganda

We rose early today and split into two groups with ours visiting a Trust Group in Kampala, which is the bustling capital of Uganda. We meandered down the shopping district, winding our way through an orderly confusion of shops, street vendors and a sea of humanity. It was hot and dry and the red dust Read more…

Posted in Insight Trips, Loans, Our Work, Resources, Trust Groups
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