Colombia
WHAT WE DO
Helping families move beyond ultra-poverty and toward lasting opportunity.
"End poverty in all its forms everywhere."
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #1: No Poverty
Across Colombia, women are working to rebuild their lives after experiencing decades of ultra-poverty, conflict, and displacement. Many of these women are the sole providers for their families and face significant barriers to economic opportunity. Through coaching, livelihood training, financial inclusion, and tailored support in an 18-month graduation program, Opportunity helps women gain the confidence, skills, and resources needed to move beyond survival. Women are building sustainable incomes and create brighter futures for their children.
Why Colombia?
- 50.4M total population
- 7.7M Colombians were displaced as a result of the decades-long civil war
- 19% of the population lives in rural regions, many of which have been severely affected by violence and conflict over the last few decades
- 4% of people live on less than $1.90 per day
- 55% of all adults do not have a formal bank account, and rural families are the least likely to have access to financial services
- 93% of children complete primary school
How we create opportunity.
Ultra Poverty Graduation Program
This 18-month program combines coaching, skills training, savings, and productive assets to help women increase their incomes, strengthen their confidence, and create brighter futures for their families.
Savings Groups
Savings Groups help members build financial resilience through saving, borrowing, and investing in opportunities that strengthen household incomes.
See how your support is making a
difference in Colombia.
Latest results as of March 2026
CLIENT STORIES
Meet clients building a better lives and escaping ultra-poverty.
Cleyda, Colombia
Cleyda’s story is one of resilience and renewal. After fleeing violence in Venezuela’s Sucre state and losing her mother during a traumatic displacement, she moved to Cartagena as a single mother determined to build a better future. She worked as a cook before starting a small store, but the pandemic forced her to close the business. When a friend invited her to join a savings group, everything changed. With support from the group, Cleyda rebuilt her business, began saving for its growth, and found a community that empowered her to move beyond ultra-poverty and create new opportunities for her family.
Anyeli, Colombia
Anyeli’s pursuit of a brighter future in Venezuela took an unexpected turn with motherhood and her husband’s involvement in criminal activities. Concerned for her family’s safety, she returned to Colombia, where she encountered Agape’s Graduation Program on Lago Street. Initially reserved, Anyeli embraced the program’s training, gradually building confidence and knowledge to create a better life for her family.
Lucy, Colombia
When Lucy’s eldest child relapsed with leukemia and later contracted COVID-19, her business suffered as her caregiving responsibilities grew. The pandemic further limited her access to supplies, threatening the future of her business. Despite these setbacks, Lucy refused to give up. See how with the support of the Ultra-Poverty Graduation Program, she learned to develop a business plan and made strategic investments to reach her goals, and provide a better life for her family.