Faces of Opportunity compiles the stories of twenty women and men who began their journey out of chronic poverty with a small loan. One enterprising Ugandan bought a sewing machine and began a tailoring business. A mother in Indonesia bought 1,000 coconuts and sold the distilled oil. Each story is as different as the personality and context of the individual -- yet they point to a common hope.

Faces of Opportunity, the book, is produced by Opportunity International, a non-profit organization that provides microfinance for people in chronic poverty to improve their lives. Founded in 1971, Opportunity International provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to the working poor in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.