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

Telephone: 1800 812 164

© 2025 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.

Trekking on the India and Nepal border to end poverty

by Opportunity International Australia

Three days trekking in the Himalayas. Two days in Varanasi meeting inspiring women building businesses to improve their livelihoods. Seven unforgettable days in India. For the second year in a row, the Trek for Opportunity in 2024 was a success with five passionate Opportunity International Australia supporters travelling to India for a life-changing experience, all while raising much-needed funds for families living in poverty.  An adventure and fundraising challenge, all in one The Trek for Opportunity…

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Working together to create a Safer World For All

by Opportunity International Australia

Two decades of progress fighting infectious diseases, empowering women and girls and building education and economic prosperity stalled when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.  In the years following, threats to our world have been intensifying – dangerous weather, increased wars and soaring inequality are regular features of our news cycle. If we do nothing, today’s challenges will become tomorrow’s catastrophes. Decisions made by this generation can put the world back on track. This is best…

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Supporting people with disabilities to lead their own development

by Opportunity International Australia

On 3 December, the world celebrates International Day of Persons with Disability – a day to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities, while also recognising the barriers they face around the world. The theme of 2024 is ‘amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities of an inclusive and sustainable future’. In order to improve financial inclusion for people with disabilities, it’s important to promote participation, representation and inclusion at all levels, to help…

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WATCH: TransformHER - Connecting passion and purpose

by Opportunity International Australia

At our online TransformHER event on 20 November, Head of Marketing and Communications, Nicole Clements, discussed all things purpose and passion with Alana Nicholls, CEO of Pro Purpose. With a mini masterclass about embedding generosity into your business goals and adding social impact into your everyday, the conversation was all about profit and purpose connecting and creating impact. Also joining the online conversation was Thea Chadban-Smith, Founder of Joyful Finance, a small business partnered…

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Building more climate resilient communities

by Opportunity International Australia

Climate change and poverty are closely interlinked. To protect livelihoods, and build more resilient communities, Opportunity International Australia is working with our health and microfinance partners to understand how climate change is impacting the communities we serve and developing products and programs to meet those needs. The growing challenge of climate Climate change threatens to exacerbate poverty and inequality globally. Women and people with disabilities are disproportionately affected…

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Putting an end to period poverty

by Opportunity International Australia

Rags. Sawdust. Leaves. Grass and paper. These are not items most of us would immediately associate with a woman’s menstrual cycle. In some areas of countries such as India and Bangladesh, those are the makeshift items many women and girls are using to manage their period every month. With menstruation starting on average at 12 years old and lasting until around 51, that is a likely 39 years or 468 months of a woman’s life using items that can cause infection every month. Period poverty refers…

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Deepening our work in disability inclusion

by Opportunity International Australia

As Opportunity International Australia strengthens its commitment to supporting more women from marginalised communities globally, we are excited to announce the appointment of Fifi Rashando to the Executive Committee of the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC). Fifi re-joined Opportunity in August 2024 as the GEDSI (Gender Equity Disability & Social Inclusion) and Safeguarding Manager and works closely with our Programs team and local partners to strengthen our work in financial…

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Here’s to the entrepreneurs!

by Opportunity International Australia

Led by our local partners, your support helps provide small loans to over 6 million entrepreneurs in Asia — including some incredibly resilient and hard-working women in Indonesia. This helps them build their businesses, earn regular incomes and create a future for their families. Here are some of the women globally that have been supported with a small loan and their stories…  Desriana (Weaving traditional batiks and textiles)   Desriana lives in Rote, Indonesia, and has been weaving since…

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Trekking Kokoda for Opportunity

by Opportunity International Australia

Long-time Opportunity International Australia supporter and ambassador Jeff Robson recently took on the harrowing challenge of trekking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea to raise money for women and families living in poverty. Jeff has been an Opportunity supporter for more than 20 years, and as an ambassador has helped raise the profile of the organisation, as well as funds. “As a business owner, I loved the idea of a hand-up, rather than a hand-out and also love the fact that the funds are…

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Maternal healthcare saving lives in Bangladesh

by Opportunity International Australia

Like most first-time parents, Monzila and her husband were excited to be having a baby. But giving birth at home without a midwife or doctor, the situation became dangerous. She and her husband hadn’t been taught what to do during pregnancy or labour. Monzila did not have regular check-ups throughout her pregnancy, and no plan was in place for the delivery. Her family also had a misbelief that if an expectant mother ate too much it would cause complications for the baby. So Monzila was malnourished…

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