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Sydney South NSW 1235, Level 11, 227 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000

Telephone: 1800 812 164

© 2024 Opportunity International AustraliaABN 83 003 805 043

News & Stories Blog

World news on the fight to alleviate poverty – follow innovations in microfinance, technology and community development that are changing lives in developing countries.

Introducing our Annual Review 2022

by Opportunity International Australia

The Opportunity International Australia 2022 Annual Review has just been published and, as well as showcasing our work throughout 2022, it also highlights the work of our clients, partners and supporters. In 2022, Opportunity and our partners in Asia set about rebuilding after COVID-19 lockdowns and the resulting widespread economic impacts. In the same year, the World Bank adjusted the poverty line for lower and middle-income countries, including India and Indonesia, to US$3.65 a day, up from US$3.20…

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Promoting health for all through female-led community programs

by Opportunity International Australia

The World Health Organization observes World Health Day annually on 7 April, and in 2023, celebrates 75 years of improving public health. It’s an important day to recognise global actions to tackle the health challenges of today – and tomorrow. Last year through Opportunity’s locally-led community health programs, 1,042 Health Leaders and 200 Health Entrepreneurs were trained bringing primary health services to close to one million people – including some of the most vulnerable and hard to…

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Sold out cakes provide a stable income

by Opportunity International Australia

Elisabet's story Elisabet’s parents were rice farmers, working for a farm owner when she was a child. “We lived in a traditional housemade from leaves, and the floor was just dirt,” Elisabet said. Her parents were paid in rice for their labour. When there was a rice harvest the family was able to eat. But in between harvests when they didn’t have enough food, they drank palm sugar to survive. “We mixed it with water and drank it like a syrup.” Elisabet is one of many women supported through…

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Turning scrap into a sustainable livelihood

by Opportunity International Australia

Zarina's story Mother of two Zarina took out a small loan of A$635 to grow her waste recycling business. It’s now a sustainable business that provides her with a steady income, while reducing the amount of waste going to landfill or being dumped in her community.  “Metal, iron sheet, plastic, empty milk containers, cardboard, we buy it all, and sort it, and then we sell it to different warehouses,” Zarina said. Zarina and her husband Imran rise at 5am, collect their water for the day, and…

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Leading the charge for gender equity

by Opportunity International Australia

On 8 March, the world celebrated International Women’s Day, with the theme of “Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future”, highlighting the achievements made towards gender equality, but also acknowledging there's still progress to be made. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, India ranked 143rd out of 146 countries on economic participation for women, and Indonesia was ranked 80th. These statistics can be turned around. Through our locally-led…

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International Women's Day: Cracking the code on digital inclusion

by Opportunity International Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of online banking – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – transforming ways in which people make and receive payments, borrow, and save. Though despite a boom in digital services, millions of women are still being left behind and continue to be underserved online. Globally, there are around 250 million fewer women online than men, and 327 million less women than men who own a smartphone and can access the internet. The theme for International…

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Ambassador Ginger's passion for gender equality

by Opportunity International Australia

On 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day - celebrating leaders and changemakers redefining innovation, working towards a gender equal future, and helping us raise much needed funds to accelerate gender equality. Reaching millions of female entrepreneurs, Opportunity empowers women across Asia to pave a pathway out of poverty through small loans to start or grow their own businesses. On International Women’s Day, Opportunity highlights three women leading the charge for gender…

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A Stitch Provides Stable Income in Uncertain Times

by Opportunity International Australia

Bhavna and her family used to rely on her husband’s income for rent, food and education costs for their 3 children – aged 11, 16, and 18. He played percussion in a band, performing at weddings and other events. Even before the pandemic, money was tight. The family, who live in Kutch, Gujarat, was living on around A$145-$180 a month, and it was difficult to manage their expenses, let alone save for the future. Then her husband’s work came to a standstill during lockdown and the family’s income…

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New CEO for Dia Vikas

by Opportunity International Australia

Arpita Pal Agrawal has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Dia Vikas Capital Private Limited, Opportunity International Australia’s microfinance business in India. Arpita’s most recent role was as Managing Director of M-CRIL, a social enterprise that provides high quality professional services for the economic enhancement of the lives of low-income families. Previously, Arpita has been a Partner in Big 4 professional services firms. She has over 25 years of management and risk consulting…

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Ratna’s recipe for sweet success

by Opportunity International Australia

Ratna lives on the remote island of Rote in Indonesia with her husband, Hermanus, and their three daughters. The family struggles financially as Hermanus, a seaweed farmer, does not earn enough to cover their living expenses and education costs. I only wish my children could finish high school... I work hard so all my children can have a good future,” says Ratna. She had dreams for a better life, but Ratna needed just one more ingredient to get started: a small business loan. With the help of a…

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