by Sonya Perez-Lauterbach, YAO Manager

This weekend, as you know, 29 Jumpers – entrepreneurs, young professionals, YAO members, Opportunity International staff – were in Orlando, Florida skydiving from 18,000 feet, all to raise awareness and funds for Opportunity’s clients in Tanzania.

We all had such a wonderful time in Florida! It was a truly exhilarating experience for us, both to jump out of a plane and to raise awareness and inspiration around Opportunity’s mission to end global poverty. Plus, your group of committed, passionate supporters are closing in on the fundraising goal of $100,000 and we expect to reach it in the coming days. So please remind all your friends, family, colleagues and social networks to make a donation to your online fundraiser, if they haven’t already.

There are great photos already posted on the Jump for Opportunity Facebook page so check out the album entitled We Did It!

Thank you to everyone for making this such a successful, safe, fun and blessed event.

by Yolanda Febles

I’m jumping out of a plane at 18,000 feet because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I figured if I was ever going to plummet to the earth willingly, it should have a purpose beyond my own excitement. I’m scared to jump into the open air free falling with the world in front of me, but as crazy as diving into the sky may seem, it’s still a privilege. And that is my reality, a world of privileges. I get to wake up every morning in a home with plumbing, a closet full of clothes and shoes, and a refrigerator filled with organic food.

This simple life of mine is a mere dream for a good portion of the world that struggles with everyday survival. The resources that I have at my disposable are enviable (by those without much), yet something I take for granted most of the time. It’s only when I am reminded through fundraisers like Jump for Opportunity that so many people out there live without basic necessities. My future and what becomes of it is literally in my hands, but for so many families in Tanzania their futures are already decided and projected for a cycle of poverty. Here in the U.S., we have so many opportunities, support, and financial and educational resources, that we, like the open sky without boundaries, have an open country with limitless possibilities. That is an enormous privilege to be able to have the choice of how to live our lives and what to do with it. It is a crying shame that there is so much poverty and while I cannot comprehend or even reason why so much of the world lives without, I am grateful that there are people out there who can take moments out of their busy lives to stop and actually think about others in desperate need and most importantly, do something about it.

It’s easy to turn one’s head away from what’s uncomfortable, but for the sake of human decency and solidarity, we have to learn how to care about other people and do something about it. If I was in the same situation, I would pray someone would help me out and not just through charity but with education, training, and an opportunity to make something of my life without the constant need for someone to always provide for me. I would want someone to give me the opportunity to empower my life. And that is why I’m jumping out of a plane, it’s time to do something and to give families in Tanzania an opportunity to change their lives.

If you would like to join me in helping and empowering Tanzanian families, go to optinnow.org/fundraisers/yolanda. This is an opportunity for you to do something to truly impact and change the course of so many lives.

by Jason Duff

With your help, I believe we can. Two years ago, I traveled to Tanzania and Rwanda witnessing the true face of poverty. Children who have little or nothing to eat, mothers who cannot afford medicine for their children and governments that are too disorganized to provide any social or economic support. This reality is unacceptable to me, knowing that we have the ability to change it.

I realized how blessed I am to live in one of the wealthiest and most prosperous countries in the world. I have never had to ask the question of where my next meal is coming from, or been concerned about my access to healthcare or education. All blessings that could easily be taken for granted. But I know that with these gifts come great responsibilities.

I returned from my African Insight Trip with a burning desire to share what I saw there: that just a small amount of money can make a huge and lasting impact. I committed to becoming an ambassador for Opportunity International. I am now a member of the group Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO).

Instead of giving a hand out, why not give a hand up. Makes perfect sense to me.

A microloan, often less than $200, is a vehicle that can empower an entire family to create or expand a business. Businesses that include sewing, basket-making, restaurants, and small grocery and supply stores. Businesses that are very important for the health of any small community.

Why aren’t more people taking action on Global Poverty? Because it seems like too BIG of an issue to solve. The truth is, it is a BIG issue, but it can be solved with hard work and with the help of donations that empower people to do what is needed.

Opportunity International not only provides loans, they also provide savings and insurance too. All of these products are making a difference and providing security for many people who had felt that their futures are uncertain.

I need your help. I am asking you to join me in contributing by making a donation. Any donation is appreciated and even a small amount like $5 can completely change the path of someone’s life.

I am taking a leap in less than 15 days by skydiving in Orlando, Fla. along with 24 other dedicated individuals. I created the Jump for Opportunity event to make an impact, change lives, and bring people together to take a huge step outside of our comfort zone to help others. I ask for your help to allow our team to take the first step to reach our $100,000 goal.

Click on this link to my online fundraiser to make a donation: optinnow.org/fundraisers/jasonduff

Thank you for your support and your prayers.

If you’ve registered for the Jump, join us for a Group Conference Call on Tuesday, January 11th at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Calling Instructions: Dial 1-641-715-3620; Enter code 296977.

We’ll be sharing important updates about the Jump, and how you can raise the most money and awareness before and after the event.

We’re so excited to hear from you and can’t wait to Jump with you in February. What a difference you’re making for the people of Tanzania!

My name is Michael Simmons, and I’m the proud co-founder of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, and I’m extremely excited to be one of the jumpers at the JUMP for Opportunity event.

We’re really excited to be convening the Future of Entrepreneurship Education Summit (think Clinton Global Initiative meets Entrepreneurship Education) at the University of Central Florida on Friday, February 18–before the Jump weekend kicks off that night at 6:00 p.m.

We’re assembling the top leaders in the field of entrepreneurship education (government, corporations, foundations, philanthropists, educators, media) for the first time to share their thoughts on where the field is going and what the most cutting-edge practices are.

Below is a list of confirmed attendees:

-Michael Hennessy, Executive Director, Coleman Foundation (has given $50M+ to entrepreneurship education)

-Bill Morganstern, CEO, Opportunity International (second largest microfinance bank in the world)

-Steve Mariotti, President, National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (largest foundation promoting entrepreneurship to low-income youth)

-Michael Schneider, President, McPherson College (Young College President in the Country)

-Nishith Archarya, Executive Director, The Deshpande Foundation

-Deborah Hoover, Director, Burton D Morgan Foundation (endowment of $100M+ for entrepreneurship education)

-Ray Daffner, Entrepreneurship Manager, Appalachian Regional Commission (has given $50M+ to entrepreneurship education)

-Doug Mellinger, Co-Founder, Entrepreneurs’ Organization and Cogswell College

-Tim Kriewall, Program Director, Kern Family Foundation & Former College President

-Phil Weilerstein, Director, National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance

-Jeff Sandefer, Founder, Acton Foundation

-Mark Lange, Executive Director, Edward Lowe Foundation

-Judith Cone, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

-Ken Yancey, CEO, SCORE

-Jack Bienko, Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship Education, SBA

-Kevin Langley, Chairman, EO

-David Cohen, Founder, TechStars

-Rieva Lesonsky, Former Editorial Director, Entrepreneur Inc.

-Cathy Ashmore, Director, Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education

-Jonathan Ortmans, Director, Global Entrepreneurship Week

-Michael Holthouse, Chairman, Prepared 4 Life & Holthouse Foundation for Kids

-Founder of Red Box ($1B+ in revenue)

-Founder of Priceline

-20 of the Country’s Top Young Entrepreneurs, many with Businesses with over $10 million in Revenue

I’m super excited to be holding this event in conjunction with Jump for Opportunity. I look forward to meeting you there!