News Blog
People don’t want handouts; they want an Opportunity
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting one of our new projects working with Refugees in Uganda, which aims to provide up to 20,000 refugee with access to savings, loans and financial training so they can start to build secure businesses. I was there to meet and interview refugees, to find out how our project could support them and meet their needs. Nakivale Refugee Settlement is home to some 120,000 refugees and has approximately 400 new arrivals each week. Over 50% of refugees are…
Read MoreA Christmas Letter from the CEO
I am thrilled to be part of Opportunity International and have been amazed by the commitment and generosity of our donors. It has enabled millions of people to build secure lives for themselves, their families and their communities. At a time of many global challenges, Opportunity International is on the frontline, serving some of world’s poorest communities. One of the things that excites me most about Opportunity International, and why I wanted to be part of it, is how it provides a hand up…
Read MoreThe Power of Opportunity to transform people's lives
Sam Bickersteth started as Chief Executive of Opportunity International UK on 1st October 2019. Sam has been working on agriculture, livelihoods and climate change challenges in Africa Asia and Latin America for more than 30 years. This last week has been Financial Inclusion Week looking specifically at questions around the purpose and approach for microfinance through the lens of financial inclusion. Being new to Opportunity International I’ve been delving into the figures around microfinance….Recent…
Read MoreIntroducing Bettina
Bettina is 24 and currently expecting her third child. She left school after completing primary education which is free in Malawi. Secondary school is not. Her parents could not afford the fees so she could not continue her studies. She wanted to carry on. Living in a remote village in rural Malawi, Bettina had little access to vocational skills training or finance after she left school. When Opportunity International visited her village and offered a new programme focussed on empowering young…
Read MoreHelping Young Women Get Ahead
There are not many employment opportunities in the Northern regions of Ghana. Many girls and young women living in extreme poverty often leave their rural homes, migrating to more prosperous cities in the south to find work. Cities provide more opportunities to earn money which they can then send home to support their families. Most of these young women have no formal education or qualifications so their employment options are limited. Many become kayayei, which means head porter. Head porters…
Read MoreBig Dreams for a Smallholder Farmer
The livelihoods of rice farmers in the Upper East of Ghana are being transformed. Large-scale irrigation projects mean that farmers are now able to have two rice harvests per year: one in the harsh, dry season and the other in the rainy season. This increases the size of their harvests and the chance to earn more money for their families. It also ensures that farmers are less dependent on one single, seasonal income. This provides an added degree of financial security in a place where crops are vulnerable…
Read MoreA Thirst for Success
Mariam lives in the Northern Region of Ghana. She is a solo entrepreneur and she has been able to grow a thriving refreshment business. She is known for making a popular local drink called ‘somkom’ which is made with millet, ginger, pepper and sugar. She is the only vendor in her community selling it and has developed a very loyal customer base over the years. She brews and bottles the drinks in her home each day and people come from far and wide to purchase it. On an average day Mariam sells…
Read MoreStart Early. Succeed Young.
When children learn basic financial skills from an early age, they are significantly more likely to make wise financial decisions as adults. That’s why it is never too early to start learning about money management or develop a savings habit. This is especially critical in Sub-Saharan Africa where much of the population has neither access to secure savings nor a safety net when hard times hit. In Uganda, we are working to deliver a two-part financial education programme in secondary schools. Students…
Read MoreA New Opportunity
This is an exciting time for Opportunity International. With your vital support we are achieving a great deal, but we are ambitious. There is still too much inequality of opportunity and a lot more we need to do. I am therefore delighted to announce that Sam Bickersteth will take over as Chief Executive in October 2019. I retire at the end of September, secure in the knowledge that he will lead our work from strength to strength. I have known Sam for many years. I have a deep respect for his abilities…
Read MoreRefugees Lives: New Beginnings, New Opportunities
Senga and Niragine are farmers in Nakivale in Uganda. They also happen to be refugees who are building a new life for their family. They have faced many challenges, but they are strong, resilient. Senga and Niragine are just starting out on their journey with Opportunity International through our new project. Here is the beginning of their story, but it is certainly not the end. We came to Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006. We have four children aged 2, 4, 6, and 8 years.…
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