Godwin Ocolo with his wife in their electronics store in Koforidua, Ghana.

Meet Godwin Ocolo, a 30-year-old Opportunity International client from the city of Koforidua, Ghana. Godwin is married and the father of two children. To support his family and help pay for his children’s education, Godwin has a small shop where he sells and repairs electronics. In order to keep his shop stocked with the goods his clients want, he sought a loan from Opportunity Ghana in 2010. Godwin is full of ambition and wants to grow his business. He is using his loan to increase his inventory of supplies, and in the future, he’d like to save more of his profits so that he can expand the shop to include even more products.

To all of the fathers around the world like Godwin who work hard every day to create a better life for their families, we wish you a very Happy Father’s Day.

To directly fund the loan of Godwin Ocolo, visit his page on the Fund a Loan section of opportunity.org.

On this 100th anniversary, we celebrate the significant progress that has been achieved through determined advocacy, practical action and enlightened policy making. Yet, in too many countries and societies, women remain second-class citizens. [...] In the home and at school, in the workplace and in the community, being female too often means being vulnerable.  -U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Today, March 8, 2011, marks the 100th anniversary of the U.N. International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.

On International Women's Day 2011, partner with Opportunity to celebrate and support our women clients like Judith Godiah, pictured above with her children.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2011 is equal access to education, training, and science and technology. In his International Women’s Day message, Secretary-General Ban said, “Cell phones and the Internet, for example, can enable women to improve the health and well-being of their families, take advantage of income-earning opportunities, and protect themselves from exploitation and vulnerability. Access to such tools, backed up by education and training, can help women to break the cycle of poverty, combat injustice and exercise their rights.”

Here at Opportunity International, we offer access to microfinance solutions to more than two million clients worldwide, 85% of whom are women. These financial tools, often delivered through technological innovations like biometric technology, mobile phone banking, point-of-sale devices and more, create change in the lives of women, empowering them to build businesses, feed their families, employ their neighbors, and send their daughters and sons to school.

In honor of International Women’s Day 2011, take action to celebrate and empower women all over the world. Go to Opportunity’s Banking on Women resource page at opportunity.org/change to…

• Donate to help fund the loan of one of Opportunity’s hard-working woman clients
• Travel alongside our International Women’s Day Insight Trip to India on the Opportunity Blog
• Share our press release in honor of International Women’s Day
• Read the special supplement in USA Today, “Investing in Women & Girls,” featuring Opportunity and leaders like Melinda Gates, Mary Robinson and more

Take action to partner with Opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day 2011 and support the achievements of women all over the world.

Watch a great recap of YAO‘s Jump for Opportunity skydiving event on Feb. 19, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. The dedicated young professionals, entrepreneurs and Opportunity supporters who jumped have already raised over $100,000 to empower Opportunity’s microfinance clients in Tanzania and their online fundraisers are still open. Watch the video above, become a member of YAO, and support these brave jumpers’ fundraisers on optinnow.org. Go to jumpforopportunity.com and click on a jumper’s photo to help support Tanzanian entrepreneurs working their way out of poverty.

Catherine Duclos gives a thumbs up as she Jumps for Opportunity.

My greatest fear is to miss out on opportunities that may come my way. I fear regret. There is so much to see, do, and feel, what if life goes too fast and I miss something? What if there’s just not enough time?

When realizing that my greatest fear has to do with opportunities I am fortunate enough to have, I am struck by the fact that some people–not only some, but the two billion people who live on less than $2 a day–do not even have options and opportunities. In a way my fear is a privilege, for I have options in my life, I have choices to make. When looking at it this way, it’s really not a fear but a gift.

Last Saturday, February 19th, I took part in Jump for Opportunity along with 28 vibrant and inspiring entrepreneurs from across the country. Although all of us may have had different fears, we were united by the same cause, the same conviction that we can create change and end poverty. When I arrived in Orlando I met a group of strangers. When I left, I said goodbye to friends. Our shared conviction is what made our bond so strong.

Catherine Duclos, passionate and inspired to jump out of a plane for poverty.

As I was flying through the air, seeing how vast the world below seemed, I couldn’t help but think of how small I really am–one of so many–and think of how easy it could be to think I am too small to make a difference. But I couldn’t think that. Jump for Opportunity came into being with one idea, one small and untouchable idea that came from one person, and was carried out with tremendous success. Given the opportunity, one person can make a change.

I did not jump to conquer my fear. I jumped because I believe in seizing opportunity, in sharing opportunity, and in giving opportunity.

The brave jumpers for Opportunity are quickly closing in on their collective $100,000 fundraising goal, but they won’t reach it without your help. To help them reach their goal, please support Catherine’s Jump for Opportunity fundraiser on OptINnow or at opportunitycan.ca. To see all the Jump fundraisers, go to jumpforopportunity.com and click on a Jumper’s photo.

Getting fired up to hear all the news and updates from Jump for Opportunity, we’re watching skydiving videos on YouTube. Even if you can’t jump this weekend, watch a video below, follow the Jump on Facebook and Twitter, and contribute to one of the Jumpers’ online fundraisers. Good luck to everyone Jumping for Opportunity this weekend!

One of many skydiving videos on YouTube — this one’s set in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico:

This video is actually at the Skydive Space Center in Titusville, Fla., where Jump for Opportunity is taking place:

For more on Jump for Opportunity, check out jumpforopportunity.com and click on a Jumper’s photo to visit their online fundraiser for our clients in Tanzania. Thanks for supporting Jump for Opportunity!

So, how can you help?

Jump for Opportunity

There’s still time to donate to one of the Jumpers’ fundraisers on optinnow.org. Go to jumpforopportunity.com and click on a Jumper’s photo to get started. Give to Bert’s “Super Poverty Punchout,” “Sarah is Jumping Create Opportunity” and more. Help them reach their $100,000 goal to alleviate poverty in Tanzania.

Good news travels fast

Read about Jump for Opportunity on the Wall Street Journal's blog.

Jump for Opportunity has been getting a lot of buzz lately! Today, news of the Jump appeared in the Wall Street Journal‘s blog. Show your support for the Jumpers by clicking ‘Like’ on the article page. Plus, there have been profiles of Jumpers and articles in local media like The Ada Herald in Ohio, The Cary News in N.C., NJ.com in New Jersey and more.

This weekend, jump alongside the entrepreneurs facing their fears to fight global poverty. Follow @jump4opp on Twitter and ‘Like’ Jump for Opportunity on Facebook to stay up to date on all the news from the Jump.

Client Vivian Adama (pictured with two of her students) started a creche and school 15 years ago in Ashaiman, Ghana so that local children could go to school while their mothers worked. Now Vivian educates and cares for more than 300 students, working hard to improve the lives of others in her community.

In that spirit, we wish you love, peace and kindness on this and every Valentine’s Day. Here are a few thought-provoking quotes that expand the meaning of love and hopefully inspire you to agape love today.

1. Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.
      -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
2. To love another person is to see the face of God.
      -Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
3. Where there is love there is life.
      -Mahatma Gandhi

Looking for a way to share your charitable love with your sweetheart? Give them an online gift card at OptINnow and they can use it to help fund the loan of an Opportunity International client working her way out of poverty. Go to optinnow.org/giftcard to print or email your online gift card today.

This dedicated group includes passionate business leaders and young entrepreneurs. Among them are CEOs Ryan Allis, author of the book Zero to One Million: How I Built a Company To $1 Million in Sales and How You Can Too, and Michael Simmons, who co-founded the company Princeton WebSolutions at age 16–both have been named in BusinessWeek‘s “Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25.” Joining them are award-winning entrepreneurs and CEOs Jason Duff, Arel Moodie, Doug Fath, Opportunity International CEO Bill Morgenstern and many, many more.

Even if you can’t join the Jump, you can still take part by donating to their Jump for Opportunity fundraisers benefitting Opportunity’s Tanzanian microfinance clients. Below are just three of the fundraisers people have started for Jump for Opportunity. (To see them all, go to jumpforopportunity.com and click on each of the Jumpers’ photos.)

These are just three of the Jump for Opportunity fundraisers on optinnow.org. Meet all of the Jumpers at jumpforopportunity.com. Plus, read posts of inspiration and motivation that Jumpers have written. Even if you’re not jumping with this inspiring group, don’t miss the chance to be a part of this fundraising event for microfinance.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
     -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What Are You Doing for Others from MLK Day on Vimeo

Today, Martin Luther King Day, is not only a day to commemorate the teachings and ideals of Dr. King, but also to let the life and legacy of the great civil rights leader inspire you to take action yourself. With that in mind, the United We Serve initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service is championing the 25th annual MLK Day of Service.

They’ve launched this year’s Day of Service as the MLK 25 Challenge. It’s a call to all Americans to honor Dr. King by pledging to take at least 25 actions during 2011 to make a difference for others and strengthen our communities. Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corp. for National & Community Service, describes the event as “a day on, not a day off.”

I want you to say on that day, that I did try in my life… to love and serve humanity. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

3 Ways to Take Action through Opportunity International:

1. Stay informed by subscribing to the Opportunity Blog, ‘Liking’ Opportunity on Facebook and following us on Twitter
2. Volunteer your time by sharing our mission and our work at your church, school or community organization, and let the group know how they can take action and donate too
3. Start an online fundraiser at OptINnow for clients living in poverty

How will you take action to carry on Dr. King’s legacy? Leave us a comment in the field below and tell us what actions you will take in 2011 to improve your community and your world.

We want to hear from you! Leave us a review at Great Nonprofits and tell the world about your experience volunteering, supporting or donating to Opportunity International. Why do you dedicate your hard-earned money and valuable time to support our work to alleviate global poverty? Share why you believe in the power of microfinance to help people work their way out of poverty and plan for their future in the developing world.

“I found out about Opportunity last April, and I have taken an active role in the organization ever since, both from a financial standpoint, but more importantly by raising awareness.” -Zack, online review at greatnonprofits.org

If you’ve ever…

• Attended an Opportunity event
• Been a member of a supporter group like Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO), Board of Governors, or Women’s Opportunity Network (WON)
• Made a donation at opportunity.org, or at OptINnow by funding a client’s loan, starting a fundraiser or buying gift cards
• Followed our social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, the Opportunity Blog)
• Traveled on an Insight Trip

…or been involved in Opportunity’s work in any way, we want to hear about your experience at GreatNonprofits.org. Thanks for sharing Opportunity International’s work with the world!