Donate Give Monthly

Menu

Donate Give Monthly

Email SignUp

Stay connected and receive updates from Opportunity International Australia.

Follow Us

Search

PO Box A524
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.

How our local partner in India is creating lasting impact

by Opportunity International Australia

Pahal, one of Opportunity International Australia’s local microfinance partners in India, has always had one main goal: to improve financial inclusion for women across India. With a presence in nine states and over one million female borrowers, Pahal is not just providing loans — it is fostering economic independence, social empowerment and generational change. Founded over a decade ago by Co-founder and Managing Director, Purvi Bhavsar, Pahal was born from a desire to create meaningful impact…

Read More

Vali rewrites her story

by Opportunity International Australia

In a small village in rural India, where few women own businesses and most live without formal employment, Vali is quietly transforming the narrative. After losing her husband in 2013 to an illness they couldn't afford to treat, Vali was left to raise her young children alone. As her husband was her household’s primary source of income, she had no support — and no one to turn to. “There was no one to support me... I passed days without food. I used to stay hungry at night so my children could…

Read More

Healthy beginnings help women and babies to thrive

by Opportunity International Australia

World Health Day is 7 April, with a theme of ‘healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’ and a focus on maternal and newborn health. Opportunity’s Health Finance initiative, in partnership with Uplift Mutuals, is supporting better maternal and child health by filling an unmet need for healthcare financing for women like Shweta and Manisha in urban slums in Mumbai and Pune, in India. While all women should be able to focus the joy of the birth of their child, women living in poverty instead face…

Read More

Roopa's leadership is keeping women and girls safe

by Opportunity International Australia

Roopa, a school teacher from Bihar, India, cares deeply about her students and their wellbeing. When the Safe Village Program, a training aimed at protecting women and girls from trafficking, was being run in her local community, Roopa saw an opportunity to make a wider impact. Actively participating in the program, Roopa became the Nodal Teacher, a key link between the program and the community. Nodal Teachers are the frontline defence against school dropouts, child trafficking, child labour, child…

Read More

Integrating disability and inclusion into our work

by Opportunity International Australia

For millions of people around the world, particularly across Asia, living with a disability means facing daily challenges that many of us take for granted. Access to finance, healthcare, jobs, education and support can be out of reach, especially for families struggling to make ends meet. Without these opportunities, the cycle of poverty and exclusion continues. At Opportunity International Australia, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to build a better future. That’s why we work closely…

Read More

How Ms Sehrish is improving her school community

by Opportunity International Australia

Good schools rely on the development of good teachers. With the help of the Opportunity EduQuality program, we're providing schools with the tools and support necessary to train and retain their teachers to help kids in need keep learning. For Ms Sehrish, establishing Noor Grammar School in Pakistan, in 2016, was the realisation of a lifelong dream. Facing early challenges in school management, financial constraints, and teacher training, she persevered, and today her school has grown from 30 students…

Read More

How health knowledge is keeping Ferdousi's family informed

by Opportunity International Australia

In Bangladesh, limited health education, particularly among women, poses significant challenges to public health — but community Health Leaders like Ferdousi can help turn things around. Recent studies show that 66% of women encounter at least one barrier when accessing healthcare services in Bangladesh. These obstacles include financial constraints (43%), distance to health facilities (40%), and lack of companionship (45%). Notably, only 12% of women have sole decision-making autonomy regarding…

Read More

Increase in profit for smallholder farmers like Anita

by Opportunity International Australia

In Indonesia, women constitute approximately 40% of smallholder farmers, playing crucial roles in agriculture. Despite their contributions, women often face challenges such as limited access to land, capital, and resources, affecting their ability to achieve financial independence. Microfinance has emerged as an effective pathway to empower women, providing them with the necessary capital to enhance their agricultural practices and secure sustainable livelihoods. Our local partners in Indonesia…

Read More

How Manjuben is creating jobs for women in her community

by Opportunity International Australia

With access to capital, Manjuben turned a passion for sewing into a small business, making pillowcases and beautiful clothing for Diwali. She now hires six women in her community, helping her sew more and expand her business — showing the power of microfinance to provide opportunities for not just one woman, but whole communities. Manjuben lives in Varanasi, India, and first took out a loan from one of Opportunity’s local partners over five years ago to purchase a sewing machine. She receives…

Read More

Linking health and gender-based violence prevention

by Opportunity International Australia

Opportunity International Australia is integrating gender-based violence prevention alongside health initiatives in partnership with one of our local partners in India. In addition to providing community health education and facilitating access to health services, female Health Leaders are raising awareness about gender­-based violence and supporting survivors through established pathways. The additional content covers topics such as power and control, negotiation, communication, problem­ solving,…

Read More

Filters

Subscribe to the Blog

Subscribe to receive Opportunity International microfinance news and updates via email or RSS.

Subscribe via RSS

Stay in Touch