None of us will forget 2020 in a hurry.

For many of the world’s seven billion people, the lingering impression of last year is one of devastation – a global pandemic, and the resulting economic fallout from reduced activity and lockdowns.

But there is another story to tell.

One of grace under pressure, courage under the most extreme of circumstances and resilience in the face of almost overwhelming odds. Opportunity’s 2020 Annual Review digs deep beneath the surface. We find out how our local implementing partners reached out to help clients even at considerable cost to themselves. We see how our Health Leaders saved lives across Asia; how our EduFinance partners provided a way forward for schools and a way out of despair for students; and we see how the safety of women and girls remained a high priority in the areas we work.

Field Officers from Opportunity's partners have been invaluable in keeping communities safe from COVID-19. Calicap, Indonesia. Photo: Paimin, KOMIDA.

Thanks to our supporters, Opportunity made an incredible impact in 2020

Together, we helped more than six million families living in poverty access small loans to build businesses and to secure sustainable incomes. These families have a better chance of providing quality education for their children and breaking the cycle of poverty for good.

2020 was a year of change, resilience and often life-changing interventions, where we reached:

• 6.3 million families accessing small loans and financial services
• 1.3 million families with essential health knowledge
• 125,600 education loans for access to better education
• 2.4 million people benefiting from trafficking prevention.

Despite the challenges of the past year, our Annual Review is a story of creativity, courage, kindness, and most of all, hope for the future.

Thank you so much for the incredible difference you’re making. I look forward to seeing the impact we will continue to make together, at this very trying time in history.

Meredith Scott
CEO of Opportunity International Australia

Click here to download a PDF version of the 2020 Annual Review.