At the end of May, Year 8 students from four Melbourne high schools took on the Opportunity Challenge, raising almost $6,000 for Opportunity International Australia!

Students from Camberwell Grammar School, Fintona Girls’ School, Camberwell Girls Grammar School, and Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, came together to run their stalls at a combined Fete Day, hosted by Camberwell Grammar School.

The Opportunity Challenge is all about kids modelling entrepreneurial skills, innovation and a spirit of microfinance using money for good.

Students started with a small loan of $10 from their parents or guardians and were given the task of coming up with a business idea and then creating a product and selling it on the Fete Day.

 _{Camberwell Grammar student Remi (far left) coordinated cups donated by Envirochoice, featuring Indigenous artwork, for their stall.}

The ideas and energy were endless, from selling sweet treats, hosting karaoke sessions and even throwing water balloons at the principal! The Opportunity Challenge is all about empowering and educating young people to fight global poverty.

“The Opportunity Challenge is designed to help women in poverty start their own businesses so they can look after their families,” said Zara, a student from Fintona Girls’ School.

“The purpose of Opportunity Challenge is three-fold,” said Troy Stanley, Head of Middle School at Camberwell Grammar School. “It’s about connecting, it allows the students to socialise, mixing the girls and boys from different schools and having them work together; secondly the entrepreneurial skills they learn from the project, and of course the driving force is raising money for Opportunity International Australia.”

In the months leading up to the Fete Day, the students from the four schools had three planning sessions, where they came together to work out their business plans, purchase ingredients or products and get organised.

_{Students were able to be creative with their business ideas to raise money for Opportunity.}

“It feels really good to help women in poverty run their own businesses,” said a Camberwell Grammar student.

The Fete Day was a great display of camaraderie and innovation. Students had a lot of fun, all whilst learning important life skills and raising much-needed funds.

“The power of opportunity is a beautiful thing,” said Mr Stanley.

If your school would like to take part, find out more information on the Opportunity Challenge, or email Dee Lewis at dlewis@opportunity.org.au.