Opportunity International

Opportunity Can campaign

Why am I doing it?

Because we are all trying to do what we can to help. I love to swim and my doctor told me that it would be great exercise for me. Not only do I improve my physical health, I can also use the opportunity to improve the economic health of those we serve. As I swim, I am thinking of them and of how what I do physically can, in this way, make a difference in their lives and it pushes me to keep on when I feel my energy lagging.

As I continue to swim and to think about our clients as I do so, I realize that often the women entrepreneurs who sign up for Opportunity International loans are willing to do whatever it takes to provide a future for their children.

I read today about a woman in India who, as well as developing her business with her loan, chose to use a part of it to rescue her son from slavery. She had been so poor that her only option had been to consign her son to a sweatshop where he could not handle the dreadful conditions and became critically ill. With loan funds, she paid the few dollars required to redeem him from bonded labour and he was able to come home. Her loan saved his life.

Other stories may be less dramatic, but throughout the developing world, mothers are doing whatever they can to ensure a future for their families. They have hopes and dreams for their children and grandchildren, just like we do.

I am going to become a grandmother this year and I have a whole new appreciation for the exciting hopes and dreams that come with that prospect. My daughter, as a musician is not wealthy, and she and her husband are already thinking about the future they want to create for their child. How fortunate we are to live in a part of the world where we are not subject to grinding poverty. I want to do whatever I can to help my daughter and son-in-law and their child, just like my friends in the developing world. Remembering the mothers and grandmothers that I met in Colombia keeps me swimming lap after lap, so that I can earn the funds to help them provide for their children.

I have now covered thirty kilometers in the pool. I have ten more to do as the Opportunity Can campaign moves into high gear. I invite you to either help me reach my goal of $12,000 by whatever contribution you can make, or to find something you can do to raise funds for mothers and their children. Thanks to all of those who have contributed. Doesn’t it feel good to invest this way?

How can you help?

By donating of course! My goal is to swim 40KM and raise $12,000 over the next 90 days. Here are some suggested donation amounts:
• $12,000 - I mean why not? I could then increase my goal or offer your donation as a match to the others for an `` $24,000 total goal!
• $1,200 - a tenth of my goal, 4KM
• $300 - 1KM
• $150 - 1/2KM

What will your donation do?

Your donation will help Opportunity provide financial services (loans, savings and insurance) to those who need it in over 20 countries. Their average loan size is just $138 which can kickstart a budding entrepreneur to start a business so they can provide for their family.