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World news on the fight to alleviate poverty – follow innovations in microfinance, technology and community development that are changing lives in developing countries.
World Food Day: Invest in food security and rural development
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has been running World Food Day each year on 16 October since 1981. Building on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of “Zero Hunger” and last year’s theme of a changing climate on food and agriculture, the issues of food security and rural development are important. As the SDG states, its aim is: “to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people – especially children – have access to sufficient…
Read MoreGlobal Poverty: An Amazing Success Story …but we still have a long way to go
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 MoreHelp a girl, change the world: why female empowerment is key to eliminating poverty
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 MoreThe Story of Mama Joy
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 MoreThe pathway out of poverty is complex
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 MoreThe best relationships are built on mutuality, trust, authenticity and passion
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 MoreIt’s better to give than to receive
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 MoreOpportunity’s supporters are true partners in helping families make the journey out of poverty
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 MoreSeeing first-hand how Opportunity is using microfinance to invest in hope-filled futures
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 MoreA business guy who wants to see a better world
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…
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