Empower Entrepreneurs Throughout Colombia

In Colombia, today’s generation of children is the first generation in more than 50 years with the chance to grow up in a country at peace. Following the landmark peace accord struck between the Colombian government and rebel groups in 2016, communities previously burdened with civil strife and violence are working to build more stable futures for their children. All they need is an opportunity. By providing access to financial services and training, Opportunity is empowering local entrepreneurs to grow businesses and schools, create jobs, and strengthen their communities for the next generation.

• More entrepreneurs are growing sustainable businesses. More than 7,000 clients are using loans to expand their microbusinesses, and nearly 50,000 families are saving.
• More than 100 clients are trained every month in financial literacy. The transformation team recently updated our seven-module training series based on clients’ expressed needs from data collected through client surveys.
• More than 200 schools are investing Opportunity School Improvement loans to enhance education quality for about 55,000 children through better infrastructure, like new classrooms and gender-separated bathrooms.

One of the incredible entrepreneurs setting the path for a future free from poverty is Vitalia (pictured above). She learned to prepare empanadas from her mother when she was a young girl. As an adult, she turned this skill into a business, selling fried treats to help support her family. She longed to grow the business and expand her restaurant, but she didn’t have the resources. After learning about Opportunity, Vitalia was able to secure a loan and purchase ingredients and supplies in bulk, increasing the number of empanadas she was able to prepare and sell each day. Now her shop is one of the most popular spots on the street! When she speaks about why she works so hard, she says, “I’m working for my son. So that he can have a great future.”

With access to loans, savings, and training, entrepreneurs like Vitalia will gain the resources they need to start and grow small businesses and expand economic opportunities in communities where few job opportunities exist. Your support helps invest in the potential of mothers, fathers, and other hardworking entrepreneurs to drive the changes they want to see in their lives, and throughout their communities. Thank you for partnering with Colombian families!

Links:

• Visit our Website
• Where We Work: Colombia