In a year that left the whole world reeling, you made a substantial difference to the lives of people living in poverty. Here are just some of the stories that highlight the work that you supported in 2020.

Ujjawala starts a jewelry business in Nagpur, India

From bus conductor to small business owner, Ujjawala is forging a path out of poverty for her daughters.

On International Women's Day 2020, we highlight some of the incredible women we work with

In March, Opportunity International CEO Meredith Scott celebrated International Women’s Day by reflecting on some of the resilient, strong and capable women she’s met in India and Indonesia, and how equal opportunities can help change the world as we know it.

Life in lockdown

By April, the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic began to set in, particularly in India, as they entered a 21-day lockdown. Opportunity International Australia’s Asia Health Program Director—based in Hyderabad, India—provided a first-hand account.

Everything you need to know about period poverty

More than 800 million people menstruate daily. It’s a normal and healthy part of life for most women and girls. At Opportunity, we are dedicated ensuring women living in poverty have access to the knowledge and products they need to manage their periods.

How do we close the gender gap?

How can small loans help to close the gender gap and improve lives? Alexandra Doyle, Opportunity’s Program Lead and Evaluation Manager, explains the difficult and complicated processes for women in accessing capital and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

New study links Opportunity’s school improvement loans to improved educational outcomes

A 2020 study conducted by the University of Chicago’s Center for RISC in partnership with Opportunity, showed the importance of Opportunity’s EduFinance Program to improve educational outcomes for children.

The shadow pandemic

For every three months of lockdown due to COVID-19, an estimated 15 million people—mostly women and girls—have suffered from gender-based violence, globally, as international agencies and national activists have raised a red flag about the increase in gender-based violence (GBV).  

The effects of climate change on poverty

On International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Calum Scott, Global Impact Director for Opportunity International Australia, explained the ‘inseparably intertwined’ link between the environment and poverty.

Happy birthday, David Bussau

Opportunity founder David Bussau visited Opportunity International Australia’s office in November as part of his 80^th birthday celebrations and spoke about the importance of productivity, dignity and hope. 

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, one year on

It is the anniversary nobody wants to celebrate: one year since the first recorded cases of COVID-19. Lockdowns across the globe have shut down cities, but only increased the need for accessible and effective healthcare. One year on, we spoke to Gayathri Prashanth, General Manager of Healing Fields Foundation, Opportunity’s health program partner in India. 

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