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Carol Stream, Illinois 60132

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© 2025 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.

News Blog

Empowering Refugees Through Financial Services and Training

by Joe Dutra

Every June 20th, World Refugee Day serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience inherent in those forced to leave their homes. At Opportunity International, we deeply honor this resilience. Refugees, by their very nature, embody profound courage and adaptability, overcoming immense hardships to seek safety, stability, and a fresh start. Our mission is to stand alongside them—providing training, support, and access to critical financial resources to ensure their resilience translates…

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Bill Pollard Remembrance

by Atul Tandon

Bill Pollard, a longtime partner and friend of Opportunity International, went to his heavenly home this month on June 6th. An iconic business leader, renowned philanthropist, teacher, and lawyer, Bill was a man after God’s heart, who lived out his life and expressed his beliefs through meaningful action, committing himself to serving others, especially those who are left out and left behind. Bill believed deeply in the power of action and self-determination. His leadership at ServiceMaster Industries,…

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Unlocking Rural Potential: Inside the GROW Program’s Strategy for Women

by Natalie Anderson

Across rural Africa, women rise before dawn, manage their households, tend to crops, and sell at market; yet they often remain the last to access credit, training, or tools. As Kofi Annan once said, “There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.” And nowhere is that truth more urgent than in agriculture.  In Sub-Saharan Africa, women make up over 50% of the agricultural workforce but receive less than 10% of available credit. This imbalance stunts growth, deepens…

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How a Low-Fee Private School Is Closing the Education Gap in Rural Ghana

by Jason Amoo

Bridging the Education Gap in Northern Ghana In the heart of Langbinsi, a small community in the North East region of Ghana, lies Seeds of Grace Academy,* a low-fee private school committed to expanding education access in rural Ghana. Established in 2003 by Mohammed Suley, this school began with a simple yet profound vision: to provide accessible education to children who lacked the means to attend distant schools. Over the years, the academy has grown from serving a handful of students to nurturing…

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From Colorado to Ghana: A Teen’s Journey Toward Global Awareness

by Kelli Walker & Hallie Kobylski

Blake McAfoos’ passport tells a story of adventure—colorful stamps from Indonesia, Bali, Turkey, and Mexico mark his travels. But his recent journey to Ghana left an indelible mark on his heart. In January, Blake joined a group of adventurous students and parents on a multi-stop tour through Ghana, a West African nation rich in culture and resilience. Blake, right, with students in northern Ghana Witnessing Resilience Amidst Challenges In Accra, Blake visited informal settlements lacking basic…

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Empowered Moms Change the World: Rose’s Story of Hope and Transformation

by Hallie Kobylski

A Mother’s Day Story of Strength and Resilience This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating mothers like Rose Magombo—women whose unwavering strength and resilience are reshaping the future for their families and communities. In rural Malawi, where advantages are scarce and setbacks are common, Rose’s story reminds us just how powerful a mother’s love—and support—can be. Rose, a member of the Malawi graduation program, poses outside her home in rural Blantyre, Malawi on April 24, 2024 From…

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EduQuality’s Cluster Model: A Powerful Engine for Female Educational Leadership

by John Pulido

This blog was originally published on edufinance.org. EduQuality’s cluster model brings together groups of 4 to 12 affordable private schools in close geographic proximity, forming a “Self-Improving School System” (SISS). In these clusters, school leaders and teacher mentors collaborate regularly to share best practices, drive school development, and support one another through challenges. This bottom-up structure fosters innovation, resilience, and autonomy. And in the Latin America and Caribbean…

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Grace, Love, and the Road to Jericho: A Message on Easter

by Atul Tandon

This Easter weekend, I find myself reflecting on the power of resurrection and renewal—rooted in God’s enduring love for His people—not only as a moment in history, but as a living, daily promise. At Opportunity International, we witness renewal every day—in the lives of our clients who rise, rebuild, and reclaim their future. With every loan disbursed, every child educated, and every business launched, we see hope reborn. These are not just stories of survival; they are stories of renewal.…

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Father-Son Entrepreneurs Take on the Grand Canyon to Support Women in Malawi

by Joe Dutra

What do a 14-mile hike through the Grand Canyon and women entrepreneurs in Malawi have in common? Everything—if you ask Mike and Max Carson. This father-son duo is raising funds for Opportunity International’s life-changing programs by taking on a grueling trek that’s helping bring attention to the power of small businesses to lift families out of extreme poverty. Mentorship, Motivation, and Popsicles: Mike’s Early Start Opportunity International clients show us every day what it takes to…

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Father-Daughter Shamrock Shuffle

by Joe Dutra

It always comes to this. When a teenager starts to find their own place in the world, they begin to challenge their parents.  It can come in the form of a mohawk, or a boyfriend nobody likes, or even months of “You just don’t get it!” arguments. For Matilda Rincon, that challenge is more direct. The high school cross-country runner thinks she can beat her dad, Opportunity’s Director of Capital Solutions Mauricio Rincon, in a foot race. Matilda, far right, during a cross country race. “I…

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