Blog Archives

3 Things to Learn about Microfinance at our Fall Conference

If you would like to learn more about microfinance and global development, Opportunity’s microfinance conference is the event to attend. Join us for our 2010 Fall Microfinance Conference this weekend (Friday, Oct. 8-Saturday, Oct. 9) in Washington, D.C. Register here.[/intlink] Here are 3 exciting topics to learn about at our fall conference[/intlink]: Microinsurance Our breakout Read more…

Posted in Events, Microfinance Conference, Our Work, Technology, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Teri Goudie, Inspired by Half the Sky, Summits Mount Kilimanjaro for Women in Poverty

One week ago, Teri Goudie, a former TV producer for Chicago’s ABC 7, traveled to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, raising donations for Opportunity International and the Janada L. Batchelor Foundation for Children (JBFC). Goudie was inspired to accomplish this incredible feat after reading the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Sheryl Read more…

Posted in Events, OptINnow, Our Leadership, Our Work, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What We’re Reading: “Investing in Women & Girls” (MediaPlanet supplement, USA Today)

 Every Wednesday on our blog, we highlight an article, book or a blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We’ll feature pieces or works that are noteworthy, inspiring, educational or relevant to the work we do at Opportunity. We welcome your comments in the comment field below–tell us what you’re reading, or respond to the Read more…

Posted in Our Work, Strategic Partners, What We're Reading, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What We’re Reading: The ONE Blog– “Africa’s Future is Female”

Every Wednesday on this blog, we’ll be highlighting an article, book or a blog in our “What We’re Reading” series. We’ll feature pieces or works that we think are noteworthy, inspiring, educational and relevant to the work we do at Opportunity. We welcome your comments in the comment field below–tell us what you’re reading, or Read more…

Posted in Events, Local Staffing, Our Work, What We're Reading, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 3 People Not to Miss at the Fall Microfinance Conference in Washington, D.C.

Twice a year, Opportunity hosts a big microfinance conference, bringing in experts in microfinance, poverty eradication and global development to share their knowledge and experience with Opportunity staff, supporters and people interested in learning more about microfinance. This fall, our conference in Washington, D.C. promises to be as inspiring and engaging as ever.  Get to know three Read more…

Posted in Board of Governors, Events, Our Work, Strategic Partners
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sheryl WuDunn to Speak at Opportunity’s Fall Microfinance Conference in Washington, D.C.

One of the best ways to fight poverty is to educate women and give them economic opportunity. Microfinance institutions are at the center of that solution. I’m looking forward to seeing more and more people getting involved in this effort.   –Sheryl WuDunn (March 2010)  Sheryl WuDunn, an advocate for global women’s issues and proponent of Read more…

Posted in Events, Loans, Our Work, What We're Reading, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Opportunity Attends the 10,000 Women Leadership Academy

The second annual 10,000 Women Leadership Academy brought more than 100 partners from around the world to Washington, D.C. from June 6-9, 2010. Opportunity International was honored to be in attendance to represent the Emerging Leaders Program, a part of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative. Goldman Sachs[/intlink] created the 10,000 Women program to empower women Read more…

Posted in Events, Local Staffing, Our Work, Strategic Partners, Training, Where We Work, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Faith, Hope and Love on our Journey to Kenya

 Opportunity’s John Kamperschroer, VP of Resource Development, recently returned from an Opportunity Family Week Trip to Kenya. He shares reflections from his travels.  As we traveled along the bumpy roads of Kenya, dust and exhaust coated our lungs while receiving–as one driver put it–an “African massage.” We were on our way to visit three Kenyan schools: Read more…

Posted in Faith in Action, Insight Trips, Loans, Local Staffing, Our Mission and Vision, Our Work, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spotlight on the Annual Report: Microfinance Helps Communities Thrive

The Opportunity Progressive Trust Group in Kampala, Uganda provides the perfect example for how Trust Groups[/intlink] can strengthen a community, helping families provide for themselves, send their children to school and build for their futures. Charity Namutebi[/intlink] is an Opportunity Uganda[/intlink] loan officer for the Progressive Trust Group[/intlink]. She says that helping others thrive is her way of serving Read more…

Posted in Faith in Action, Local Staffing, Our Mission and Vision, Our Motivation, Our Work, Trust Groups, What We're Reading, Where We Work
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Melinda French Gates on the Impact of Agricultural Finance

 Want to do more to impact global poverty? In an interview in the August issue of Smithsonian magazine, Melinda Gates outlines the techniques the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is using to fight global poverty in the 21st century. (“Melinda French Gates on Saving Lives,” by Terence Monmaney) It’s part of the magazine’s 40th-anniversary issue, featuring ”40 Things You Read more…

Posted in Loans, Microinsurance, Our Work, Rural Outreach, Savings, Strategic Partners, Technology, Training, What We're Reading, Where We Work, Women's Opportunity Network
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,