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.
Poverty in a pandemic
COVID-19 is affecting all of us, but it could devastate vulnerable communities. Surviving a pandemic requires a reliable income, savings for unplanned expenses and quality healthcare – resources families living in poverty already struggle to access. No work, no money As governments introduce tighter restrictions and lockdowns in response to coronavirus, many people are not able to work. For families living in poverty, this could mean weeks without their sole income source and no food for…
Read MoreFrom the field: meet Jessica Carter
Jessica Carter, Asia Health Program Director (right), in Uttar Pradesh, India with Asha, a community member participating in Opportunity’s health program. Jessica Carter is passionate about making the world a better place. This passion has taken her everywhere from India and Bangladesh, to China and South Korea. After graduating from the University of Sydney, Jessica began her career working as a journalist, then moved into community development and health. Today she is based in Hyderabad,…
Read MoreMarce's wish for her children
Marce (middle) with her daughter and husband. © Sarah Gray Life is tough for Marce and her family on Rose Island, Indonesia. She worries constantly about how to afford education for her children. “I only wish my children could finish high school,” Marce said. “Our life is so hard now because we only think about our children’s education.” In Indonesia, two in three people live on less than US$2.50 a day. Families living in rural and remote areas are often the poorest and are also less…
Read MoreUpdate: Our COVID-19 response
Dear friends, As you are all aware, the world is currently facing uncertainty in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our concern will always be with those whom we seek to serve – people who are amongst the world’s most vulnerable. But our concern is also with our Australian staff, with our implementing partners on the ground – and with you. I pray that you all remain safe and healthy during this time. The work that you so generously support, is centred in India, Indonesia, and now, Bangladesh…
Read MoreHow you help women out of poverty
Shivali and Savitri – friends, neighbours and two women committed to building healthier villages in India. © Siri Wrigley and Jemma Holden Women living in poverty bear an unequal burden of unpaid domestic work. Women are overrepresented in informal and precarious jobs. Women work longer hours than men and earn lower wages. But women living in poverty are much more than their struggles. Opportunity is dedicated to seeing women empowered through each of our programs: microfinance, health, education…
Read MoreEach for Equal
This month the world celebrates International Women’s Day – a day that recognises just how valuable, capable and resilient women are. Through Opportunity, I have met time and time again, incredible women who, when given the chance, go on to do amazing things. The key word here is chance. There is no doubt in my mind that what holds so many women back, is that lack of opportunity. The first steps to creating a gender equal world, is ensuring that women have the same opportunities as men – opportunities…
Read More"My dreams are my children."
Ujjawala helps a customer try on a bangle in Nagpur, India. © Kim Landy Kneeling amongst bundles of colourful jewellery, Ujjawala carefully slips bangles onto a customer’s arm. The woman admires them before deciding to make a purchase. “Everything has changed,” said Ujjawala, about life since she started her jewellery business in Nagpur, India. Before her market stall, Ujjawala worked as a bus conductor for seven years. But the income wasn’t always enough to meet the needs of her two…
Read MoreThe Macro on Micro(finance): Part 2
In this second instalment on Microfinance, Opportunity’s Asia Programs Director, Mark Daniels, explores the changing nature of microfinance and the challenges that lie ahead. Read Part 1 here >> PART 2 Q: IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT ‘DEVELOPMENT IS A DISTRIBUTION GAME AND WE ARE A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK’. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? MARK DANIELS: That was actually said by Chris Murdoch, Opportunity’s former Head of Global Strategy. Chris is essentially saying that in development, we need to provide ‘doorstep’…
Read MoreThe Macro on Micro(finance): Part 1
Microfinance is a complex humanitarian intervention. It is also a sector that is experiencing great change. Mark Daniels, Opportunity International Australia’s Asia Programs Director, takes a broad look at microfinance to reveal its fundamental philosophy, how it assists those living in poverty, and the intricate challenges that lie ahead. PART 1 Q: WHY WOULD SOMEONE LIVING IN POVERTY WANT TO GET A LOAN AND GO INTO DEBT? MARK DANIELS: Like anyone, low income earners still require capital to…
Read MoreGiving a 'Can Too' attitude to Opportunity
Walking through Annie Crawford and Simon Buckingham’s garden, one is immediately hit by the scent of ocean breeze mixed with the complex aroma of Indian spices. Their home brings together the outside and inside in perfect harmony and, like Annie and Simon, is both generous and authentic, beautiful and warm, and open and inviting to others. Annie is the founder of Can Too Foundation, an independent health promotion charity committed to funding cancer research. Can Too provide coached training…
Read MoreFilters
-
Categories
- #F4T2015
- Build Healthy Communities
- Community spotlight
- Deliver Innovation
- Education
- Empowering Women
- Empowerment
- Ending Poverty
- Entrepreneurs
- Financial Inclusion
- Food for Thought
- Girls
- Global Impact Report
- Global Poverty
- HandUp
- Health
- IWD2017
- India
- India Microfinance
- Indonesia
- International Day of the Girl
- International Women's Day
- Invest in a mother
- Loans
- Microfinance
- Microfinance industry
- Microfinance institution
- Mother's Day
- Mothers
- Notes from the Road
- Opportunity
- Opportunity Blog
- Opportunity International
- Philippines
- Poverty
- Small Businesses
- Small Loan
- Small loans
- Stories
- Transformation
- Women
- australiaday
- beboldforchange
- international aid
- internationalwomensday
- small business loans
- women's empowerment
- women4women opportunity
- women clients
- women entrepreneurs
-
Archives
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- January 2019
- September 2018
- August 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014