Our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, visited our work in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda yesterday.  She began the day by officially opening our Opportunity Bank branch – the first Opportunity bank in a refugee settlement anywhere in Uganda.  The new branch enables Opportunity International to scale up its financial inclusion services, providing life-changing financial services to refugees living within the settlement.

The Princess Royal then visited two client groups within the settlement.  She first met the Wenzetu Women’s Group and heard how Opportunity International is supporting women and families who have children with disabilities, to develop sustainable incomes for their families through small businesses that they can run alongside their caring responsibilities. She then met the Unleashed Youth Employment Group, which is working with young people to develop entrepreneurial skills and launch their own business. 

Nana Francois, CEO of Opportunity International UK, said of the visit: “We are delighted to have HRH, The Princess Royal, open this bank branch in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.  She has supported our work for over 20 years and it is wonderful to have her meet the people we serve, and see first hand how Opportunity International’s innovative financial inclusion services are giving a life-changing opportunity for people in Uganda to work their own way out of poverty.”  

Photo credit to Arete / Luke Dray