International Visitor's Tour Brings Honduran Microfinance Client to Calgary

Online, October 2, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Opportunity International Canada announced their International Visitor's Tour Calgary Luncheon to be held on Thursday October 24, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel located at 700 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB. Cost is $125/person or $1000 for a table of 10. Proceeds will be used to support microfinance projects in the developing world.

The event features Maria de los Angeles Ordonez, a microfinance client from Honduras, as she shares her entrepreneurial journey out of poverty. At age 13, Maria quit school to sell water and tortillas in an effort to assist her family of nine.

"I still remember how hungry I used to be...My mom would feed us anything she could find, from wild iguanas to rabbits, just so we wouldn't go hungry," says Ordonez.

After a series of jobs that never seemed to be enough, Maria received her first loan from Opportunity International and started a business making handicrafts. With her income she finished high school at night and went on to receive her accounting designation. She was offered jobs upon graduation but she had bigger plans for her business, learning what she calls the "man's trade" of traditional wood burning. She has since expanded her business to 4 distribution channels, including her store called "Sueno's de los Angeles" (Angel's Dream in English) and increased her income from $15/month to $1300/month.

"Maria de los Angeles is the model of success that we hope for all our clients, demonstrating just how powerful investing in one person can be," says Doris Olafsen, Executive VP at Opportunity International Canada. "When we provide access to financial services, we are providing more than just a loan or insurance to a business owner. We are providing dignified options for transformation that extend beyond the individual to their families and their communities."

The Calgary luncheon is the last stop on Canada-wide tour, with stops in Toronto, London, Victoria, Langley and Vancouver.

For purchase tickets or for more information on the Calgary luncheon or other International Visitor's Week events, visit www.opportunityinternational.ca/tour.

About Opportunity International Canada

Opportunity International provides access to savings, small business loans, insurance and training to over 5 million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Clients in 23 countries use these financial services to start or expand a business, provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbours, and build a safety net for the future.