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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.

Sold out cakes provide a stable income

by Opportunity International Australia

Elisabet's story Elisabet’s parents were rice farmers, working for a farm owner when she was a child. “We lived in a traditional housemade from leaves, and the floor was just dirt,” Elisabet said. Her parents were paid in rice for their labour. When there was a rice harvest the family was able to eat. But in between harvests when they didn’t have enough food, they drank palm sugar to survive. “We mixed it with water and drank it like a syrup.” Elisabet is one of many women supported through…

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Turning scrap into a sustainable livelihood

by Opportunity International Australia

Zarina's story Mother of two Zarina took out a small loan of A$635 to grow her waste recycling business. It’s now a sustainable business that provides her with a steady income, while reducing the amount of waste going to landfill or being dumped in her community.  “Metal, iron sheet, plastic, empty milk containers, cardboard, we buy it all, and sort it, and then we sell it to different warehouses,” Zarina said. Zarina and her husband Imran rise at 5am, collect their water for the day, and…

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Leading the charge for gender equity

by Opportunity International Australia

On 8 March, the world celebrated International Women’s Day, with the theme of “Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future”, highlighting the achievements made towards gender equality, but also acknowledging there's still progress to be made. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, India ranked 143rd out of 146 countries on economic participation for women, and Indonesia was ranked 80th. These statistics can be turned around. Through our locally-led…

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International Women's Day: Cracking the code on digital inclusion

by Opportunity International Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of online banking – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – transforming ways in which people make and receive payments, borrow, and save. Though despite a boom in digital services, millions of women are still being left behind and continue to be underserved online. Globally, there are around 250 million fewer women online than men, and 327 million less women than men who own a smartphone and can access the internet. The theme for International…

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Ambassador Ginger's passion for gender equality

by Opportunity International Australia

On 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day - celebrating leaders and changemakers redefining innovation, working towards a gender equal future, and helping us raise much needed funds to accelerate gender equality. Reaching millions of female entrepreneurs, Opportunity empowers women across Asia to pave a pathway out of poverty through small loans to start or grow their own businesses. On International Women’s Day, Opportunity highlights three women leading the charge for gender…

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A Stitch Provides Stable Income in Uncertain Times

by Opportunity International Australia

Bhavna and her family used to rely on her husband’s income for rent, food and education costs for their 3 children – aged 11, 16, and 18. He played percussion in a band, performing at weddings and other events. Even before the pandemic, money was tight. The family, who live in Kutch, Gujarat, was living on around A$145-$180 a month, and it was difficult to manage their expenses, let alone save for the future. Then her husband’s work came to a standstill during lockdown and the family’s income…

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New CEO for Dia Vikas

by Opportunity International Australia

Arpita Pal Agrawal has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Dia Vikas Capital Private Limited, Opportunity International Australia’s microfinance business in India. Arpita’s most recent role was as Managing Director of M-CRIL, a social enterprise that provides high quality professional services for the economic enhancement of the lives of low-income families. Previously, Arpita has been a Partner in Big 4 professional services firms. She has over 25 years of management and risk consulting…

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Ratna’s recipe for sweet success

by Opportunity International Australia

Ratna lives on the remote island of Rote in Indonesia with her husband, Hermanus, and their three daughters. The family struggles financially as Hermanus, a seaweed farmer, does not earn enough to cover their living expenses and education costs. I only wish my children could finish high school... I work hard so all my children can have a good future,” says Ratna. She had dreams for a better life, but Ratna needed just one more ingredient to get started: a small business loan. With the help of a…

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Lynn and Bill supporting Opportunity for life and beyond

by Opportunity International Australia

Lynn and Bill Creek have been supporters of Opportunity International Australia since 2001. They first heard about Opportunity after seeing the ABC’s Australian Story episode featuring the founder David Bussau. “It was the philosophy that your donation could be recycled, and the money would keep making money for people that was so appealing,” said Lynn. We had previously given to other organisations, but once you’ve given that money it’s gone. The fact that our donation lives on and on,…

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Yohana’s work ethic inspires her children

by Opportunity International Australia

Single mother Yohana likes to work hard. She opened a snack stall with a loan of A$200 in 2017. The business was successful, but she found that she wasn’t busy enough for her liking, so she hired some employees to run the food stall and set up a second business – tailoring and making garments – with the support of another loan.  Earlier in her life, the 50-year-old worked at a garment factory in Java, where her hard work was recognised and she rose to the rank of supervisor, until she left…

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