We have reached that time of year when we come to recognise all that we have to be thankful for. It’s a time of giving, a time of sharing and a time to appreciate those around you whom you love.

Sure, you may have to endure Aunty Carol’s overcooked chicken at Christmas lunch, but there’s a sense of affinity when you look around the table to see the same feigned look of enjoyment on the face of each family member.

It’s pretty easy to take things for granted in life; nutritious food, plenty of clothes, a house to live in - but Christmas is a time to pause and embrace how lucky we really are. We may not always feel it at times (and my consistently overdue phone bill is evidence of this), but we are rich and have so much to be thankful for.

2.7 billion people are trapped in poverty this Christmas, unable to put food on the table, put clothes on their backs or have a roof over their heads. It paints a very different picture where basic human needs are considered luxurious gifts rather than a foundation of celebration. Saleha’s story shows that a little bit goes a long way and with your help, you can help free many families from the burden of poverty.

Saleha and her husband live in a remote village in Bihar – India’s most underdeveloped state. Having grown up in poverty themselves, they were determined to offer their children opportunities they never had. They wanted to provide good nutrition, healthcare and education to their family but were struggling to find the finances to do this.

After hearing of the benefits of microfinance, Saleha and Mujib applied for a small loan to start their own construction business. They began buying the tools needed to establish their business and started building. These new tools allowed their business to grow and significantly increase their income. They went from earning Rs.130 (A$2.30) a day to over Rs.330 (A$6) a day. With this income they have begun to provide their children with nutritious food, safe drinking water and a good education – setting them up for a future far better than they could have imagined only a few years ago.

The business hasn’t just had an impact on Saleha and Mujib’s family, but also their local community. They currently employ seven other people, meaning that seven other families now have a stable income and a chance to transform their future, helping to create a ripple effect of change.

Along with the success of their construction business, Saleha has been trained to become a community health leader in her village. She educates her local community about illness prevention, health treatment and nutrition. So far, she’s taught local families about proper sanitation and helped 15 families each invest in a toilet. She even established a number of health savings groups, enabling 80 families to come together to pool funds in case of emergencies.

Saleha’s story illustrates the impact that one single donation to Opportunity can make – you have the chance to not only change one family, but many and enable families to have the confidence and skills to create lasting change in their lives and communities.

So while you’re sitting at the table struggling to digest Aunty Carol’s Christmas lunch, share with your loved ones the story of how your small donation is transforming the lives of others, and how this Christmas, you’re single-handedly freeing families from poverty.