Developing Opportunity is dedicated to improving lives in developing countries by creating opportunity. We are currently supporting programs in the war torn countries of Afghanistan, Colombia and Nepal. Through these projects we're educating more than 4,000 students! We are passionate about creating sustainable projects to improve lives. With your help, we can continue to do this!

Developing Opportunity was formally founded by Ellen and Evan Mai in January 2006 after having started projects in 2003. Through friends and family, the Mais spent several years raising money to build schools in Northern Afghanistan. Realizing the importance of these schools, the Mais decided to make their efforts formal by incorporating in the state of California and applying for 501(c)3 tax-exempt status with the IRS.

Ellen first became interested in Afghanistan during a work related trip there in October 2001 while the war was still raging. Despite the hardships, the people were wonderful and treated her so well when they had nothing. Wherever she went, children said all they wanted was to go to school. As a result, she pledged to make a difference. Today we are proud to say that we have and will continue to do so, with your help.

The Mais are honored to have Grace Patrick, George Simm and Faizullah Zaki join the Board of this non-profit charitable organization. Steve Salisbury serves as our Director for Latin American Projects and is based in Bogota, Colombia. Dr. Thomas A. Marks serves as our liaison to our projects in Nepal. Together, we hope to bring education, employment and microlending to people throughout the developing world.

Our mission is to provide education, vocational training and microlending to people in developing countries in order to ensure lasting employment. To do this, we believe in educating the youngest members of society in academic programs that run from preschool through high school and then either onto vocational training or university. After successful completion of their education, DO will offer microlending, or small loans, to start businesses. (We have successfully supported education and job training, and plan to begin a microlending program within the next year.) We believe that supporting students on all levels offers their greatest chance for sustainable employment. After our initial donation to begin our projects, we firmly believe that these projects must be self-sustaining.

Developing Opportunity is proud to announce that we are helping to the young educate men, women and children of Afghanistan, Colombia and Nepal.

Afghanistan
Developing Opportunity is supporting two schools in Northern Afghanistan: Olti Kwaja and the Institute for Higher Education. Together, we have added classrooms, built a computer center with Internet connection, donated supplies and science equipment, purchased transportation for teachers, financed repairs, and even build a preschool/child care center.

Colombia
Through the extensive research of Mr. Steve Salisbury, our Director for Latin American Projects, Developing Opportunity made cash donations to The Paper Children Association, Actuar and to Medellin's Metropolitan Institute of Technology. Together we have purchased supplies for the students to make/sell chocolate, musical instruments for the children and other education-related items.

Nepal
We are paying for the education programs,school fees, books and uniforms for orphans at the Gentle Heart Children's Home in Kathmandu.

Please visit our website, developingopportunity.org/projects.htm for further detail of our projects.

Ellen Mai - President
Evan Mai - Treasurer
Amy Patrick - Secretary
George Simm - Honorary Board Member

We are an all volunteer organization! All donations go directly to the projects. What sets us apart is our success in educating people in really tough environments. For example, our schools in Afghanistan are thriving despite the daily hardships of the students and community. We are also deeply passionate and committed to our students.

We are in the process of building a playground and preschool at Olti Kwaja School in Northern Afghanistan.