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Opportunity International’s MicroEnsure Named Runner-up
Congratulations to Opportunity International’s subsidiary MicroEnsure, which has been named runner-up for the 2010 Financial Times Sustainable Banking Award for Banking at the Base of the Pyramid. MicroEnsure was recognized for its successful health insurance product serving the low-income market in India. This was the first product in India to provide coverage for maternity and pre-existing Read more…
Providing Financial Services to Women Creates a Better World
Opportunity has long known what U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated in a video message to the “Women for a Better World” conference in Spain on Saturday—that empowering women is the key to global progress and prosperity. While Opportunity serves all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender, we place a special emphasis Read more…
Tagged Empowerment, Financial services, Gender, Hillary Clinton, India, Melanne Verveer, Melinda Gates, Mothers, ONE, Secretary of State, Women, Women for a Better World, Women Leaders, Women's Opportunity Network, Women's Philanthropy, WON
International Women’s Day: What it is/why we celebrate…and more
Have you heard of International Women’s Day? Do you know much about the history or significance of this day? Although the official date is Monday, March 8, we will be contributing posts this week on everything from the history of International Women’s Day to how it relates to the microfinance services that Opportunity International provides Read more…
Tagged Community, Empowerment, Family, Female entrepreneurs, Gender, Girls, Global Opportunity Quilt, India, International Women's Day, OptINnow, Sustainable development, Trust Groups, United Nations, Women, Women Leaders, Women's Opportunity Network, Women's Philanthropy, WON
Guest Post: Believe in Sheela
The following is a guest post by Desiree Adaway, Sr. Director of Volunteer Mobilization at Habitat for Humanity. It was first posted on her personal blog. I want you to believe in Sheela. She is a leader of Opportunity International’s Baba Trust Group meeting in Chennai, India. Nineteen women have joined together to repay loans, learn accounting skills Read more…
Tagged Desiree Adaway, Guest Post, Habitat for Humanity, India, Sheela, Trust Groups, Women, Women's Opportunity Network, WON
Voices of the Poor – Parmila Das
The landmark Voices of the Poor study, published by the World Bank in 2000, sought the opinions and testimony of 60,000 of the world’s poor through information gathered in small discussion groups. Parmila Das was one participant profiled in the study. She lived in India and was a widow with two young children. She struggled Read more…
Encouraging Collaboration: Microfinance India this Week
Along with a booming microfinance industry in India comes a variety of organizations offering a variety of different services with a variety of delivery channels. As one such organization in the mix, Opportunity India recognizes the need for open communication and collaboration. This week, the Microfinance India Summit is brining together key leaders in the Read more…
#Mifimon: Where in the world is microfinance working?
The following is a guest post by Grameen America DC’s Alice Geglio, for Opportunity International Interested in learning about microfinance? Follow our biweekly Twitter discussion group #mifimon (because Microfinance Mondays was too long for Twitter’s 140-character limit!) The aim is to host an exchange of ideas about issues relevant to the microfinance industry. You’re welcome to lend Read more…
Tagged #MifiMon, Accion, Afganistan, ASA, China, Clients, Financial Regulations, FINCA, Gameen Bank, Ghana, India, Kenya, Latin America, Mexico, MFI, Microenterprises, Microfinance Institution, OptINnow, Peru, Rural banking, Southeast Asia, The Economist, Twitter
Opportunity India Redefines "Astitva"
“Astitva” is the identity of an Indian woman. While by tradition Indian women are supposed to be respected, common practice dictates that an Indian woman’s contributions usually go unnoticed. Her struggles are unacknowledged, and her dreams are not heard. Opportunity India is working to redefine “Astitva.” Through affordable loans for capital, buttressed by business and Read more…
Tagged Astitva, Education, Henrietta Isaac, India, Loans, Opportunity India, Training, Women
