Forty years ago, Rosemary Namande of Uganda opened a school for infants in makeshift quarters. Today, thanks to tireless determination and Opportunity International loans, five permanent buildings house her
elementary school and orphanage. Here “Mama Rosemary” educates and cares for 900 children—many with discounted or free tuition. Through an innovative approach to financing new infrastructure, Rosemary’s loans have grown from $204 to over $7,000. She uses part of the loans to purchase fabric and sew uniforms, which she sells to augment tuition income. Her continued expansion allows her to employ 53 people and greatly enhances economic activity in her community. Watch a video on Rosemary's amazing story.

Banking on Eduation

Education is one of the most powerful tools available to help alleviate poverty, spur economic growth and promote social change. People who are more educated tend to have higher income and to create jobs for themselves or others; they also have lower participation in criminal activity and reduced incidence of HIV/AIDS. But even primary education is limited across the developing world, further embedding existing poverty cycles.

To respond to this need, motivated teachers across the developing world are building schools right in their own communities. Opportunity supports these educational entrepreneurs with loans ranging from $500 to $25,000 for one- to five-year terms. Some teachers decide to build schools from scratch; others are improving the infrastructure of existing schools. Whatever the specific need, Opportunity provides relevant training and capacity building as a part of the loan package.

To improve school enrolment, Opportunity is also providing school fee loans and tuition savings accounts for low-income families. Our tuition savings accounts earn interest and can also be used to provide for a child who loses his or her guardians. Download "Banking on Eduation" to learn more.