Opportunities NOW

Several times this year, we have shared the stories of how Opportunities NOW (ON), an entrepreneurship training school in SE Asia is working to bring change into the lives of youth. Nin Bey, one of the graduates of the program, had a simple idea – something to do with chickens – that became a fully formed business plan that would allow her to run a business, offer employment to another person, and support others in ministry. ON is able to continue in relationship with Nin Bey and others like her, as they start and run their businesses, walking alongside them through mentoring.

Stories like Nin Bey's are being repeated over and over in this most unlikely of places through ON. It is estimated that 40 percent of the world's 160 million jobless are between the ages of 15 and 24, and that 85 percent of the 1 billion in that age bracket live in developing countries. Youth in this SE Asian country experience not only the worldwide trend of increasing youth unemployment, but also an additional lack of local opportunities. A recent survey found that 37% of the country's workforce is unemployed, and this number goes as high as 70% in certain minority groups. Those stats alone show how important it is that youth (along with lay Christians and church planters) have opportunities and have them now.

ON remains committed to helping others create successful sustainable businesses, through regular site visits and mentoring on the job. The majority of ON entrepreneurs are 30 minutes to 2 hours away by car, so ON is in need of a vehicle to effectively do business site visits for entrepreneurs, like Nin Bey, to have success. Would you consider giving to help make the dreams of young SE Asian entrepreneurs a reality?