Help Fund Women Farmers in Ghana

You brought success to struggling farmers and families in Ghana

• More than 7,000 cocoa, poultry and plantain farmers like Elizabeth are benefiting from the broad range of services offered through Opportunity’s Agriculture Finance Initiative – more than tripling outreach in the second quarter. Cocoa farmers represent more than 80% of the active farmer clients.
• Rural savings accounts have grown from 25,742 in March 2012 to 63,374 as of June 30, 2012. The Agro saver product for rural clients was rolled out over the quarter, and staff expects strong client demand during the harvest season (September-January) when farmers’ incomes are higher.

Your partnership is making the dream of education a reality for Ghanaian children

As of June 30, 2012, Opportunity Ghana reported active school loans with 119 proprietors, up from 110 at December 31, 2011 and an outstanding education finance loan portfolio valuing $674,714, up 44% from 2011 year-end.

• Opportunity Ghana is currently conducting an intensive campaign in partnership with the Ghana National Association of Private Schools to increase outreach to schools.

• Opportunity Ghana has launched a school fee loan available to existing microbusiness loan clients to help send their children to school. Fifteen families have already taken advantage of this opportunity.

• The bank is piloting a child savings/insurance account called EduSave in two branches for a four month period. The pilot will be assessed and product rolled out by early 2013.   

You changed everything for Vivian

A natural entrepreneur, Vivian instinctually knew how to transform what started as a table-top slipper display into a larger stall situated in a better location. “I always had a sense of what would sell in my community and how to display it nicely. I approach business with a positive attitude and a spirit of hard work.” What she lacked, however, was the capital to make it happen.

Today, selling a variety of supplies that she thoughtfully selects and displays to fill the needs of her community, Vivian uses her natural business skills coupled with strategically invested loans and training to operate a thriving business. Vivian is investing her eighth loan of $518 to purchase a freezer that will allow her to sell cold foods and beverages. 

As a result of her partnership with Opportunity Ghana, Vivian testifies that her life has taken a whole new direction. “I thank God for leading me to OISL to impact my life, and may the Lord richly bless them in return.”

Vivian formed the dream; you gave her the opportunity to make it a reality. On behalf of Vivian and more than a million other families, thank you very much for your partnership.  

Links:

• http://www.opportunity.org

Ghana – IDP Rising Schools and Sinapi Aba Trust

The IDP Rising Schools Program, an initiative created and implemented by the IDP Foundation, Inc. and Opportunity’s Ghana institution Sinapi Aba Trust, is improving the quality of education offered in affordable non-government schools in poor urban and rural communities across Ghana. Now in its third year, the pilot has built on its progress with 103 schools in varying stages of training. As of December 31, 2011, 100 loans were disbursed to 80 schools. An external evaluation is underway to assess the pilot and develop the future plan.   

Recent highlights include:

• 26,883 children have been positively impacted over the course of the program.  
• All school proprietors have successfully completed targeted training covering business management and school administration.   
• IDP partnered with Sesame Workshop to develop ten 10-minute training DVDs for teachers covering child-centered learning, active learning and classroom discipline. Ninety-two teachers will participate in this pilot.  

Ghana – Opportunity Savings and Loans (OISL)  

 Many women in Ghana struggle to pay school fees for their children to attend to school. But with your help, Opportunity is banking on education in Ghana to make sure every child gets an education. 

The Education Finance program in Ghana seeks to provide funding and technical support to disadvantaged private education institutions. As of December 2011, Opportunity reported active school loans with 110 proprietors and an outstanding Education Finance loan portfolio valuing $468,811. OISL is working to form relationships with an additional 25 schools.

• A school proprietor survey conducted in Q2-2011 helped Opportunity Ghana leadership define a growth strategy for the program.
• Continued to build the relationship with Ghana National Association of Private Schools.
• Expanded scope of project from 13 branches to all 25 branches.
• GOAL (Greater Opportunity Access for Learning) loan product has been introduced. This is an education loan for tertiary and technical school students. Students can access this product without collateral.
• A School Fee loan product for primary and high school students has been developed. This product will be launched for the next academic year, targeting our Trust Group loan clients who need a way to finance their children’s education.
• The goal is to serve 445 school proprietors with loans by December. 

Links:

• www.opportunity.org