NEW YORK-SATURDAY,OCTOBER 11, 2008,Guastavino's, 409 East 59th Street New York, NY: Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO), a new and exciting initiative of Opportunity International, formed to engage younger generations in the fight against poverty and cultivate future leaders in microfinance, kicked off Campaign to Benefit Tanzania Opportunity International at "Financing the Future" benefit. Opportunity International is one of the world's oldest, largest and fastest growing microfinance organizations. Serving poor entrepreneurs in 29 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, Opportunity is a pioneer in offering small business loans, savings, insurance and training in basic business practices to women and men living in chronic poverty. These services allow poor entrepreneurs to start or expand a business, develop a steady income, provide for their families and create jobs for their neighbors. Opportunity's goal is to help lift 100 million people out of poverty by 2015 by mobilizing $1 billion. The evening featuring cocktails, dinner and silent auction, all to help fund a bank for the poor in Tanzania. Demand for microfinance services in Tanzania are great as half its population lives in abject poverty and less than 10 percent have access to savings accounts. This new campaign has already raised $2 million of the $7.5 million goal to fund the bank. This special evening was be led by Liesel Pritzker, event co-chair and founder of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity; Chris Crane, president & CEO, Opportunity International; Jessica Jackley Flannery, co-founder and chief executive officer of Kiva; Kevin Compton, founder, Radar Partners Investment Group. MEDIA CONTACTS: Noelle-Elaine Media, Inc.| Michelle A. Pascal, 212.234.1995, map@noelle-elaine.com | Kristian Buchanan, 646.424.9750, kbuchanan@noelle-elaine.com | Renae E. Warren, 646.344.2630, rew@noelle-elaine.com PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2008 by Christopher London | tel:Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com