 |
“Through its microenterprise development programs, Opportunity International combats global human suffering at its root cause—poverty. Opportunity is opening doors to economic, social, and spiritual transformation that were once closed to many of the world’s poorest people.” --Hernando de Soto, Peruvian economist, Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People |
| |
|
 |
“We have just done a study of 60,000 poor people and they have the same aspirations as we do. They want the same things for their kids, they want peace, they want opportunity, they want a voice, they want a chance, they don't want charity, they do not want charity….We will not solve the problem of poverty or global peace or stability unless we change our perception of poor people from the object of charity to the asset on which you build a better world. I am absolutely convinced of that.” --James D. Wolfensohn, President, World Bank, speaking at an Opportunity event |
| |
|
 |
"Having seen for myself the way that small loans can help to transform poor people's lives, I would strongly encourage others to consider this as a way of helping marginalised communities around the world.The Opportunity clients and their families that I have met have reaped important benefits from their loans in terms of their living conditions and day-to-day life. What is equally exciting to witness, however, is the obvious confidence and sense of pride that has developed in those who've transformed their own lives by their own efforts. Opportunity International's work is about providing ever greater numbers of those living in poverty with the chance to do the same. I'm delighted to offer my continuing support to help in this endeavour." -- HRH The Princess Royal, Opportunity International United Kingdom Patron since 1998 |
| |
|
 |
”In Army intelligence, we believe that people must have an investment in their society to create an orderly civil society. Economic deprivation and hunger lead to lack of education and illiteracy, which leads to powerlessness and despair and social chaos. Doors open for radical leadership ready to take advantage of people who can be told what to think, because they have not been taught how to think. Education is the defense of the bullied from the bullies. But it is apparent to me that the prerequisite for a child’s education is the parents’ ability to earn the money needed to send the child to school.” --Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy, U.S. Army Retired, speaking at an Opportunity International event |
| |
|
 |
“Opportunity International has started what could be called ‘The Mustard Seed Conspiracy.’ They are building the Kingdom of God by helping to create hundreds of small businesses and cottage industries that the poor of the world can own and run themselves. What better way is there to carry out Christ’s mandate to help the poor…I have seen firsthand the good work done by Opportunity International and know that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created by its efforts.” --Dr. Tony Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology, Eastern University, St. David’s, PA |
| |
|
 |
“Whether in Metro Manila or in the countryside, we will make microfinance a cornerstone in our fight against poverty. . . The Opportunity Microfinance Bank was just recently licensed, the first microlending program in the nation which was converted to a bank. It is time the poor people benefit from the savings of the nation. You can rest assured that the masses will repay the loans. In microfinance, the repayment rate is 98%.” [translated from Tagalog] --President Gloria Arroyo, The Republic of the Philippines |
| |
|
 |
“I'm cheered by a group called Opportunity International, which is a microeconomic venture that put more than 600,000 people around the world to permanent work last year…They give me tremendous hope, as do the people they provide with small business loans; 98 percent repay their loans, which inspires me.” --Dr. Martin E. Marty, Professor Emeritus University of Chicago Author of more than 50 books, Winner of the National Book Award and National Humanities Medal |
| |
|
 |
“As an entrepreneur and mother, I can identify with the challenges facing the women served by the Women’s Opportunity Fund [of Opportunity International]. Yet adding these challenges to the context of poverty creates an entirely new dimension. The hope and the perseverance of Trust Bank clients have inspired me and touched my heart.” --Doris Christopher, President & Founder, The Pampered Chef |
A Client Story
Fati Ibrahim (Tamale, Ghana)
Fati Ibrahim has been in the business of selling cooked rice and processing groundnuts for the last 15 years. Her husband is a farmer, and because of the drought that constantly afflicts the Tamale region, often struggles to harvest enough of a crop to make an income.