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.
Free Families From Poverty This Christmas
We have reached that time of year when we come to recognise all that we have to be thankful for. It’s a time of giving, a time of sharing and a time to appreciate those around you whom you love. Sure, you may have to endure Aunty Carol’s overcooked chicken at Christmas lunch, but there’s a sense of affinity when you look around the table to see the same feigned look of enjoyment on the face of each family member. It’s pretty easy to take things for granted in life; nutritious food, plenty…
Read MoreSummer has arrived and our magazine is hot off the press!
“We’re not storm-free but we can be storm-proof.” Opportunity’s Summer Magazine has hit the shelves! This edition explores the concept of resilience in the face of adversity by hearing from those impacted by one of the strongest storms to hit the northeastern Philippines this year.. You can read more about how Opportunity clients have been impacted by weather events, how we can reduce their vulnerability and how they can build resilience on page 5 and 6. We also know that according to the…
Read MoreInternational Human Rights Day
Last Saturday night, I went out to dinner with some of my friends. We had not been able to see each other for a while, yet somehow the conversation still flowed with an excitement that was both nourishing yet hungry for information. In the midst of our chatter, I overheard a woman at a nearby table angrily speak to a waiter, stating that it was her human right to be able to order a particular main meal off the menu. Her anger boiled, despite the fact that the waiter had previously apologised and…
Read MoreThe precious trust contract needs to be nurtured
Public confidence in charities is strong in Australia, ranking the third most trusted group, behind doctors and police. But this trust must be earned and nurtured and can be easily lost. Donors trust charities with rigorous governance, skilled management, and a high level of transparency about the way they use resources. Trust in charities is integral to their survival, as it’s a primary motivator for donor support. This doesn’t surprise me: it takes courage to put your money into a charity as…
Read MoreInternational Volunteers Day
Have you ever thought about volunteering and dedicating some of your spare time to a good cause? If you aren’t already a volunteer, I would like to encourage you with some thoughts on why volunteering is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have at any stage of your life. Approximately 2.7 billion people around the world live in poverty, which means they are facing hunger, a lack of shelter, no access to clean water and sanitation, and are also dealing with health issues on a daily basis.…
Read MoreGiving Tuesday
Following a winding road away from Waingapu, the capital of Sumba island in Indonesia, is a lake. As the sun sets, the lake gleams a blood red. Serene. Beautiful. Strange maybe. But for the family who lives in a small, unassuming house just behind the lake, it’s a familiar sight. One night, Lydia awoke suddenly next to her husband and three of her children in the single bed they all shared. It was dark, but she sensed that something was wrong with her husband. As she slept, he had a heart attack.…
Read MoreSupporter Spotlight: Autum Bower
Introducing the Mongol Rally. Haven’t heard of it? It may not be part of the Formula 1 circuit, but it is the self-proclaimed “greatest motoring adventure on the planet.” That’s because participants travel across one-third of the entire world – yes, you read that right – to raise money for charity. It’s the journey of a lifetime that Opportunity International Australia supporter Autum Bower (or ‘Auto’ as she is fittingly nicknamed) embarked on with two mates Devin and Shaun last…
Read MoreWhat's That In Sight?
It’s that time of the year again. With Christmas on the horizon, conversations of how the past year flew by, the holiday season, and the desire to just ‘get out of here’ are in full swing. You might be looking forward to doing nothing on a beach in the tropics, having a winter Christmas somewhere up north, or just road-tripping around the country. But lately, we’ve been busy planning a different kind of trip. Throughout the year, Opportunity International Australia hosts groups of supporters…
Read MoreCity 2 Serve
The best thing about exploring cities (at least for me), are their history. And the best way to experience them is to step outside, walk around for a bit and start paying attention to your surroundings (selfie stick optional). As a Sydneysider, I catch a glimpse of a wide range of characteristics every day: the terraced housing of the inner-western suburbs, the well preserved colonial buildings in The Rocks, the repurposed warehouses near my university’s exam centres in Ultimo, an abandoned post…
Read MoreAll World Problems
I watched the film Mother’s Day on a flight recently. It had little to boast aside from the casting of Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts, but I needed to pass the time. Plus, having a daughter of my own, there were a couple of comedic scenes that got me thinking. Both featured the character Bradley, a widower and father of two daughters. In the first scene, he’s in the kitchen with his eldest teenage daughter, who is requesting he pick up some items from the supermarket. She lists off the essentials;…
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