I can’t help but love this time of year. It’s a time full of excitement and new beginnings. The air is warm, the days are long, and you cannot ignore the communal sense of thankfulness and joy that still lingers from Christmas (or the public holidays that come with Christmas).

January 26 is Australia Day. It is a day that has different meanings for many Australians but one thing for certain is that without generous support from Aussies like you, the work of Opportunity would not be possible. This country and the people who live in it are pretty incredible.

We are so grateful to all of our Australian supporters who donate and contribute their time, skills and expertise to helping families free themselves from poverty. It’s the combination of our generous donors, passionate Ambassadors and tireless volunteers that allows Opportunity to help thousands of families like Menci’s, who are living in poverty in Asia.

Menci and her husband Kefas live in Indonesia and have three beautiful children. Several years ago, Menci’s family could not afford to eat proper meals each day, nor could they afford an education for their children. Menci had grown up in a farming family and had inherited the family farm, however she did not have enough money to maintain it. All this changed for her when Menci received a loan of $47, donated by our Australian supporters, which allowed her family to buy seedlings, fertiliser, and vegetables to provide fresh food and an income. Menci is now able to send her children to school and live a life free of poverty.

Australia Day may be a hotly debated holiday, but one thing we can all agree on is that the work you do, our Australian supporters, is monumental. Your support of families living in poverty can impact more than just one family; it can transform an entire community.

So let’s celebrate together. Light up a barbie and raise your snag because here’s to you Australia, we could not do it without you.