Colombia: Progress out of Poverty to Sustainable Livelihoods Your Impact Report, Fall 2025 During this time of global change—including economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and, in some places, great strife—our neighbors in Colombia continue to inspire. Opportunity International’s positive impact on people working their way out of extreme poverty—thanks to determination, deep faith, and access to support—motivates us to continue the work of reaching people who have been left behind. EXPANDING OUR REACH Savings Groups: This past year, we added 468 savings groups which serve 5,878 new clients, expanding outreach to rural municipalities. Including the previously launched groups still active, now we are directly serving 8,606 people, including impacting 1,393 children with access to school, more reliable and improved nutrition, and safer homes. Currently, the groups have saved a total of $241,878 and made member loans, averaging $56, totaling $41,451. Ultra-Poverty Graduation (Pathways to Opportunities): Even the youngest family members are The Graduation program offers a long-term solution positively impacted by savings groups. whereby families living below even the extreme poverty mark of two dollars a day—truly living in subsistence mode—receive support to secure food; start one or two income-generating businesses; learn basic financial skills; mentorship; community linkages; and job skills—support that will pave a holistic, viable path out of poverty. Called Pathways to Opportunities in Colombia, the Graduation program served an inaugural cohort of 250 families, currently reaches 500 families in the second cohort, and plans to launch a third cohort of 250 families this fall. Thanks to your support and the determination of Opportunity families, families previously unable to meet their basic needs now are earning income, saving, enjoying a more stable living situation, and planning for bright futures. The demographics of the current cohort of 500 families in ten neighborhoods in Cartagana capture the complex obscales of the local economic and social environment: 97% of participants are women; 51% attended high school; 34% never had a business; 100% had no savings at the beginning of the program. Over the past 11 months of the program (considered the “entrepreneurship” phase), the transformative impact of the Graduation model has created waves of opportunity and progress: • 100% registered in government database to receive health support • 99% of school aged children in participating families now attend school • 240 participants completed technical training 101 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606 T 800.793.9455 W opportunity.org
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