December 2, 2009
This Christmas, Give the Gift of Opportunity

Oppstock - $100.00

Buy one for your family and friends! Each share of Opportunity International’s OppStock, valued at $100, represents one microloan that helps launch a small business in Africa or Latin America.

Purchasing one share helps start one new business, meaning that a family can begin to leave chronic poverty behind. OppStock are symbolic stocks that provide real benefits to the entrepreneurial poor.

More information is available at: https://www.opportunityinternational.ca/oppstock.html

Oppstock can be purchased online here or by phone at 1-877-867-2448.

 

Gift of Hope - Available in any amount

Gift of Hope certificates allow you to honour a friend or family member with a donation of any amount to Opportunity International. Each certificate is mailed in a red envelope and can be personalized with your name and recipient name upon receipt. Certificates do not display the gift amount.

Gift of Hope certificates can be purchased by phone at 1-877-867-2448.

Faces of Opportunity - $20 (quantity discounts available)

Faces of Opportunity compiles the stories of twenty women and men who began their journey out of chronic poverty with a small loan. One enterprising Ugandan bought a sewing machine and began a tailoring business. A mother in Indonesia bought 1,000 coconuts and sold the distilled oil. Each story is as different as the personality and context of the individual -- yet they point to a common hope.

Faces of Opportunity books can be purchased by phone at 1-877-867-2448 or online at www.facesofopportunity.com.

 

One Hen Childrens Book - $14.95

Inspired by true events, One Hen chronicles the story of a boy who receives a microloan, a lending system for people without access to conventional banking. While micro-lending has gained recognition among adults, One Hen intends to make the poverty-reduction strategy accessible to children. The book is based on the life of Kwabena Darko, who rose from poverty to become a prominent businessman and a leader of the microfinance organization Opportunity International.

In One Hen, author Katie Smith Milway depicts the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm. After his father died, Kojo quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from her neighbours, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan Kojo buys a hen. Within a year, Kojo has 25 hens and uses his earnings to return to school. Over time, his farm continues to expand and benefit his family and community.

Kwabena Darko, who inspired this story, also started a tiny poultry farm which grew to become the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. As business increased, Kwabena also began disbursing loans to others through a trust that became part of the microfinance organization Opportunity International. Kwabena currently sits on the board of Opportunity International, helping them provide small loans to aspiring entrepreneurs in 28 developing countries.

For more information about One Hen, see www.onehen.org

BUY THROUGH US! Books purchased by clicking the link above will automatically donate 4% - 6% of the purchase price back to Opportunity International.