Donate Give Monthly

Menu

Donate Give Monthly

Email SignUp

Stay connected and receive updates from Opportunity International Australia.

Follow Us

Search

PO Box A524
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.

Global Poverty: An Amazing Success Story …but we still have a long way to go

by Chris Murdoch

On the eve of Anti-Poverty Week in Australia and the 25th anniversary of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I’m reflecting on the journey out of poverty so many families have made in the last twenty years. Journeys to freedom. Journeys to lives with choices, dignity and hope. In the late 1960s and early 70s, the global community recognised a very large number of families lived in extraordinarily challenging circumstances. Families who somehow survived on an income of less than US$2.50…

Read More

Help a girl, change the world: why female empowerment is key to eliminating poverty

by Sara Bolst

Of the girls who make up 1.1 billion of the world’s population, those living in developing countries face some of the greatest challenges. Since 2012, International Day of the Girl Child—better known as Day of the Girl—has been honoured on 11 October to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. But what difference can empowerment, particularly in the form of education, make to girls in poverty? Income: Educated girls are more likely to earn a survivable wage A single…

Read More

The Story of Mama Joy

by Jessica Carter

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is a half sorrow. Swedish proverb What does it mean to pursue a well-lived life? There are a thousand ways to answer this question but some especially good hints come from an unassuming pair of elderly ladies in eastern Indonesia. Here are a few lessons gleaned over a cup of tea and a plate of coconut cakes.  Hadyana and Samsye 1.       Friendship Sweden is a long way from the steamy island of Sulawesi, a volcano-studded landmass in the heart of the…

Read More

The pathway out of poverty is complex

by Robert Dunn

Opportunity International Australia is driven by the complex needs and aspirations of families living in poverty. When planning for a family’s participation in our programs, we explore its journey to freedom, its pathway out of poverty. We ask: “What will give the family choices?” and “What will give the family purpose?” We see women as the agents of change in developing countries. Women are the heroes of the story. They are the ones who are not only agents of change in themselves and their…

Read More

The best relationships are built on mutuality, trust, authenticity and passion

by Chris Murdoch

Everything in life happens through relationships and the best relationships are based on mutuality and trust. Authenticity and passion. At Opportunity International Australia, we form long term relationships with our local program partners in India, the Philippines and Indonesia. They’re the experts. They’re the ones who know the families in these countries and assess with them whether it’s a good business proposition for a family to receive a small loan to kick start or expand a little business.…

Read More

It’s better to give than to receive

by Matt Prater

I heard about Opportunity International Australia many years ago through a lady at my church who’s an Opportunity Ambassador. I thought I understood what Opportunity was about until I visited the Philippines and saw for myself how incredible its work is. I thought it was just about giving a loan to someone to buy tools for their business so they could earn a living and be less poor. However, I now see the holistic approach that Opportunity has with in-country partners like ASKI, the most incredible…

Read More

Opportunity’s supporters are true partners in helping families make the journey out of poverty

by Robert Dunn

Opportunity International Australia has an exciting future and it’s made possible by the generosity of you, our supporters. You are helping families make the journey out of poverty through small loans to grow businesses, health education programs, school fee loans, digital financial services and loans to access clean water and build toilets. As an Opportunity supporter, you’re partnering with families who are working their way out of poverty and we are immensely thankful to you. We see major…

Read More

Seeing first-hand how Opportunity is using microfinance to invest in hope-filled futures

by David Adams

For me the highlight of my trip to the Philippines with Opportunity International Australia was meeting the loan recipients. They have dramatically changed their lives by using small loans from Opportunity to build businesses and break the cycle of poverty. It was inspiring to sit in group meetings with women who had accessed loans, to hear them share their experiences and to see the joy this is bringing them. The sense of empowerment in their own lives. They couldn’t see a future and now they…

Read More

A business guy who wants to see a better world

by Robert Dunn

As I move into a new role at Opportunity International as Global Executive Director, I’m reflecting on the past nine years of leading Opportunity International Australia. What stands out to me is the hope, dignity and purpose I’ve seen in the families Opportunity helps to break the cycle of poverty.   Robert Dunn The hand up Opportunity gives to families in developing countries through small loans to grow businesses gives them hope of a better future. They gain dignity as they use the hand…

Read More

Entrepreneurs are the engine room of the global economy

by Allan English

Entrepreneurs play a critical role in the engine room of the global economy. They drive innovation and create new ways of solving problems. They generate jobs and new sources of income. And they are increasingly playing a crucial role in tackling global poverty. Allan English There’s a movement across the business sector – in Australia and overseas - for entrepreneurs to drive measurable social outcomes as well as profitability.  To maximise social impact through their creativity and business…

Read More

Filters

Subscribe to the Blog

Subscribe to receive Opportunity International microfinance news and updates via email or RSS.

Subscribe via RSS

Stay in Touch