For Lucas Chingore of Mozambique, the small, fertile plot of land he yearned to farm was just outside of town, but entirely out of reach. “It was too dangerous to be there during the civil war,” says Lucas, “and when the violence ended, I couldn’t afford the tools and seed to get started.”
Finally, he found Opportunity International and his farm took root. He received a loan for an irrigation pump that brought precious water to his crops and greatly enhanced his yield. Another loan allowed him to diversify into poultry so that hundreds of chickens now populate his fields. And he opened an Opportunity savings account to protect his business profits and earn interest.
Before Opportunity’s mobile bank came to his town, Lucas Chingore was among the millions of “unbanked” with little hope of establishing a business. It was a half-day trek to the closest bank and the only loans he could obtain were from unreliable sources charging high interest. Opportunity’s targeted microfinance solutions directly address these barriers for clients throughout the developing world.
For rural entrepreneurs like Lucas, Opportunity’s mobile banks make weekly stops within walking distance of their homes or businesses. In Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, Opportunity is launching portable banks—repurposed truck containers strategically placed throughout sprawling markets. These innovative bank branches not only bring services where the need is greatest; they make them affordable and convenient, saving clients valuable time and money.
Lucas now provides nutritious food, medical care and education for his five children; he employs four of his neighbors; and he enriches the food supply in the local market. With Opportunity’s help, Lucas has created a thriving farm and cultivated a healthier, more secure life for his family and community.
