by Opportunity International
Dr. Patricia Mathabe, Senior Lecturer at the Royal Agricultural University, has over 20 years of experience in agriculture research. We sat down with her to find out more about why she has given her support to our Growing Her Future campaign, unpack some of the issues women farmers face and what are the best ways to support them. You’ve had an inspiring journey from South Africa to working across the UK, US, and Africa. Could you start by telling us a little about your background and what…
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by Opportunity International
We are excited to welcome celebrated singer and performer Heather Small MBE to Opportunity International as an ambassador.Heather's support marks an exciting moment for Opportunity. We are incredibly grateful that she is using her voice, platform and time to help raise awareness of our work, creating transformative opportunities for people living in poverty across sub-Saharan Africa.About HeatherHeather is best known as the iconic voice of M People, whose chart-topping hits include ‘Moving On Up’…
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by Felix, Project Officer at Opportunity International
Life can change in a single day. For me, that day was 9 September 2016. My name is Felix, a refugee from Burundi and a proud member of the Opportunity International family. My journey is one of loss, resilience, and hope - a journey that has shown me that when people are given opportunity instead of pity, they can rebuild not only their own lives but also the lives of many others. On 8 September 2016, my wife gave birth to our second child. What should have been one of the happiest moments of our…
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by Opportunity International
Opportunity International UK is pleased to announce the appointment of Busola Sodeinde as its new Chair of Trustees, succeeding Cliff Hampton, who is stepping down after thirteen years of service, including ten years as Chair and five years as the Chair of the Opportunity Global Board. During his tenure, Cliff has played a key role in strengthening governance, expanding partnerships and supporting the organisation’s growing impact across Africa and beyond. Reflecting on his time as Chair,…
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by Opportunity International
Opportunity International UK has launched our latest programme in Malawi this week at an event joined by our programme partners, Government representatives, and our clients. The Rural Resilience in Malawi programme will run for 3 years and is generously supported by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). The programme, which is in its second phase of a similar initiative, aims to support an additional 30,000 households in rural areas of southern and central Malawi to build their resilience to climate shocks,…
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by Opportunity International
We are delighted to announce that Afua Hagan has joined Opportunity International UK as our Ambassador. This partnership marks an exciting step forward in our work to create lasting change in the lives of people experiencing poverty, and we are incredibly grateful to have Afua lending her voice, platform, and passion to our cause. About Afua Afua is a distinguished journalist, broadcaster, royal commentator, and keynote speaker, known for her insightful analysis and authoritative voice on matters…
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by Tamsin Scurfield, Head of Refugee Finance
Tamsin (right) joins a panel event at the UNHCR's 76th Executive Committee. As Head of Refugee Finance and living in Uganda myself, I see firsthand the developing displacement crisis in Africa. War, climate change and political turmoil is forcing people to leave their homes and seek safety hundreds of miles away in neighboring countries. As of mid-2025, only 35% of the 1.9 million refugees in Uganda are receiving humanitarian aid from the World Food Programme and those who are receiving aid are…
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by Opportunity International
Opportunity Bank Uganda Ltd has opened a new branch, their 25th branch overall, in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement. For the first time, thousands of refugees here will have access to banking services close to home. More than 110,000 refugees live in Rwamwanja (as of June 2025), having fled conflict and hardship. For these refugees, a local bank branch means they can save safely, borrow to start a small business, and take steps to rebuild their lives. The branch was officially opened by Mary Oakes,…
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by Opportunity International
Seeds of Self-Reliance is a two-year programme helping refugees in Southwestern Uganda build stronger, more independent lives. With part-funding from the Isle of Man Government, we’re working in two of Uganda’s largest refugee settlements — Nakivale and Rwamwanja — where thousands of people are based, having fled violence and hardship in neighbouring countries. This project is about more than survival. It’s about what happens next — how people rebuild, how they grow, and how they take…
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by Mary Oakes, CEO Opportunity International UK
As I entered the new role of CEO at Opportunity International UK, I’d heard about the devastating consequences of funding cuts to overseas aid and the changes to global priorities. I thought it was essential I understood the realities on the ground. This led me to a hastily arranged trip to Uganda, somewhere I had never been before. But nothing would prepare me for what I was to experience. Projects that had been shutdown overnight. Teachers let go. Years of experience lost in an instant. Decades…
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