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Sydney South NSW 1235, Level 11, 227 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000

Telephone: 1800 812 164

© 2026 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.

Health Program expands to Nepal

by Opportunity International Australia

On 1 July, Opportunity’s Health Leader program expanded into Nepal, with the aim of reaching 1.19 million people over the next five years. As a nation, Nepal faces many health and development challenges. About 20 per cent of people live below the national poverty line, and many struggle to access basic healthcare. Health conditions like high blood pressure are common, with more than one in three adults affected. But worryingly, fewer than one in ten local health centres can provide services for…

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Understanding the updated global poverty lines: What it means for communities we serve

by Opportunity International Australia

In June 2025, the World Bank updated its global poverty lines to better reflect the rising costs of basic goods and services faced by people living in poverty. The extreme poverty line increased from US$2.15 to US$3.00 per day, while the moderate poverty line rose from US$3.65 to US$4.20. These changes mean that more people are now classified as living in extreme poverty — an increase from 713 million to 838 million people globally. However, despite this rise, the number of people living under…

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How Rani built a business against the odds

by Opportunity International Australia

Rani, a mother of three children from a small village near Varanasi, was a woman who had always depended on her husband for everything. She never even went to the market alone to buy vegetables. But life took a tragic turn when her husband was electrocuted in an accident. His injuries were so severe that he could no longer work. As the sole breadwinner in the family, this news was devastating. Rani’s extended family was able to help financially in the beginning, but the medical costs and day-to-day…

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WATCH: TransformHER - Trailblazing women flipping the system

by Opportunity International Australia

On 18 June, we hosted a special TransformHER event featuring two trailblazing women – Rabia Siddique and Suzzanne Laidlaw – passionate Opportunity supporters who are leading and inspiring transformation in their professional journeys. Through powerful storytelling, bold conversations and an eye-opening mini masterclass, we explored how you can harness your passion, skills, influence – and money – to drive change in the face of adversity. CONTENT WARNING: The topics discussed include child…

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How our local partner in India is creating lasting impact

by Opportunity International Australia

Pahal Financial Services, one of Opportunity International Australia’s local microfinance partners in India, has always had one main goal: to improve financial inclusion for women across India. With a presence in ten states and one union territory (UT), and over one million female borrowers, Pahal is not just providing loans — it is fostering economic independence, social empowerment and generational change. Pahal is a word in Hindi which means “a new beginning”, and for so many women and…

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Vali rewrites her story

by Opportunity International Australia

In a small village in rural India, where few women own businesses and most live without formal employment, Vali is quietly transforming the narrative. After losing her husband in 2013 to an illness they couldn't afford to treat, Vali was left to raise her young children alone. As her husband was her household’s primary source of income, she had no support — and no one to turn to. “There was no one to support me... I passed days without food. I used to stay hungry at night so my children could…

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Healthy beginnings help women and babies to thrive

by Opportunity International Australia

World Health Day is 7 April, with a theme of ‘healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’ and a focus on maternal and newborn health. Opportunity’s Health Finance initiative, in partnership with Uplift Mutuals, is supporting better maternal and child health by filling an unmet need for healthcare financing for women like Shweta and Manisha in urban slums in Mumbai and Pune, in India. While all women should be able to focus the joy of the birth of their child, women living in poverty instead face…

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Roopa's leadership is keeping women and girls safe

by Opportunity International Australia

Roopa, a school teacher from Bihar, India, cares deeply about her students and their wellbeing. When the Safe Village Program, a training aimed at protecting women and girls from trafficking, was being run in her local community, Roopa saw an opportunity to make a wider impact. Actively participating in the program, Roopa became the Nodal Teacher, a key link between the program and the community. Nodal Teachers are the frontline defence against school dropouts, child trafficking, child labour, child…

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Integrating disability and inclusion into our work

by Opportunity International Australia

For millions of people around the world, particularly across Asia, living with a disability means facing daily challenges that many of us take for granted. Access to finance, healthcare, jobs, education and support can be out of reach, especially for families struggling to make ends meet. Without these opportunities, the cycle of poverty and exclusion continues. At Opportunity International Australia, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to build a better future. That’s why we work closely…

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How Ms Sehrish is improving her school community

by Opportunity International Australia

Good schools rely on the development of good teachers. With the help of the Opportunity EduQuality program, we're providing schools with the tools and support necessary to train and retain their teachers to help kids in need keep learning. For Ms Sehrish, establishing Noor Grammar School in Pakistan, in 2016, was the realisation of a lifelong dream. Facing early challenges in school management, financial constraints, and teacher training, she persevered, and today her school has grown from 30 students…

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