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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.

Snack stall improves quality of life for family

by Opportunity International Australia

There are few opportunities for work in Hansa’s village in the state of Gujarat, India. The family struggled financially before she was able to take out a loan. Her husband worked as a day labourer, but didn’t earn enough to provide for their basic needs. There are seven people living in their small two-room house, with their three children and her parents-in-law living with them too. “The quality of life was not good,” Hansa said. “We could barely manage to earn Rs.5000-7000 per month…

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Turning passion into profit

by Opportunity International Australia

A passion for knitting turned into a successful business for 42-year-old Latipah in South Sumatra, with the help of a small loan from one of Opportunity's local partners in Indonesia. Latipah’s mother taught her how to knit when she was just a small child. Since I was little, I’ve always loved knitting... It continued until now, even after having a family, a child, a husband.” Her husband Bambang works in construction and the family struggled financially. His income was minimal, and they needed…

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Run for Opportunity in 2024

by Opportunity International Australia

Looking to run for Opportunity International Australia this year? With marathons, fun runs and charity events happening across Australia, there's many opportunities to challenge yourself and best of all, raise critical funds to support our work to help end poverty globally. To choose Opportunity International Australia as your charity partner in your upcoming race, it's easy — simply click on one of the fundraising links below after registering for a race in your city. Once you've signed up, be…

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Australian churches celebrate Very Different Mother’s Day

by Opportunity International Australia

On Mother’s Day this year, six churches in Western Australia and one in Queensland raised money for Opportunity International Australia through their church community in celebration of mothers around the world.  A Very Different Mother’s Day is a coming-together to honour mothers in their community, while raising much-needed funds to support mothers in Asia on their journey out of poverty. Funds raised during the Mother's Day celebrations was enough to help close to 70 women access smalll loans…

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In their own words: how community health educators are bridging gaps in rural India

by Opportunity International Australia

Community Health Leaders are empowered to build health knowledge and provide basic services in their communities, while earning an income and growing their confidence.  The challenges to accessing health care in rural India  For women in rural and remote parts of India, employment opportunities outside of the home are often limited, and many abandon their own hopes of tertiary study and careers when they get married and move in with their in-laws.  Basic health knowledge within these communities…

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The day I met Bhikhiben

by Nicole Clements

I remember the day I met Bhikhiben, one of our remarkable clients and her children in rural Gujarat. It was warm and sunny in her village and her kitchen and home were small for her family, but she stood out with her smile, her hands decorated in henna and an air of dignity. I felt a deep connection as shared with me her dreams for the future and many of the struggles they had as a family. Opportunity International Australia's Head of Communications & Marketing, Nicole Clements, with Bhikhiben Bhikhiben’s…

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Leni’s broom business takes off

by Opportunity International Australia

Leni and her husband Zulfani live in a rural area of South Sumatra, Indonesia. They run a coconut broom business, producing palm-fibre brooms and bamboo curtains and selling them to nearby markets in cities. Leni has four children – one daughter, who is already married, and three sons - who she provides for with the profits earned from her broom-making business. It wasn’t easy when they started out. “The difficulty I faced was the capital,” said Leni. Due to a lack of capital, they couldn’t…

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Creating change with innovation: Our 2023 Annual Review

by Opportunity International Australia

The 2023 Annual Review highlights the work of Opportunity International Australia in Asia through Microfinance, Health, Education and Women’s Safety programs. It also highlights Opportunity’s supporters, those who have found innovative ways to fundraise in 2023 to help women and families build a pathway out of poverty. As the world is changing, so too are the needs of people living in poverty. Through digital innovation, Opportunity, working with local partners in Asia, is able to help more women…

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How a small loan helped Bhikhiben transform her world

by Opportunity International Australia

When Bhikhiben was just a teenager, her mother died. Her passing brought not only deep sorrow, but almost unimaginable responsibility for Bhikhiben. As the eldest of five children, Bhikhiben had no other option but to quit school and become ‘mother’ to her siblings. My father was alone and we had to manage farming as well – goats and cows… I was the only helping hand.” \"I wanted to study, but… my father told me I should manage the kitchen and the children… So I grew them up (sic),\"…

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Mama Ovi’s determination to educate her children

by Opportunity International Australia

In Indonesia, Mama Ovi leads a simple life. She sells yellow rice and cakes in the school canteen, and her husband works as a driver.  Her rice and cake business, though modest, has helped provide for her family and is a great supplement to her husband's income. However, school fees were an expense that was just out of reach. Mama Ovi and her young son, Leon, who live in Indonesia Mama Ovi was determined to send her youngest child, Leon, to a good kindergarten. Even though the family had financial…

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