Who, what, where?
Getting down to business
Raise $43,000 to fight poverty in less than 48 hours? In a challenge not unlike something you’d see on The Apprentice, this July saw an assembly of young Australians do just that.
Participating in Business Icon, a national competition geared towards professionals between the ages of 18 and 25, young entrepreneurs from Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia helped raise funds for Opportunity clients by planning and hosting events in their home states – a fashion show in Perth and Brisbane, and a Bollywood evening in Melbourne. In less than 48 hours, contestants planned performances, organised auctions and sold tickets to guests, raising a total of $10,000 in Brisbane, $15,000 in Melbourne and more than $18,000 in Perth – funds that will have a substantial impact on people living in poverty. Considering that Opportunity’s average loan size is $200, that’s the equivalent of 215 jobs created in less than two days.
A project of the Advantage Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation designed to foster a more entrepreneurial culture in Australia that promotes ethics, culture diversity, environment and good health – Business Icon was supported by one of Opportunity’s corporate supporters, Silver Chef. A huge thanks goes to Business Icon, Silver Chef, all those who supported the events and every contestant who gave their time, energy and creativity to help us with our mission to see people released from poverty permanently. For more information
on Business Icon, visit www.businessicon.org.au
The Opportunity Blog, Facebook and Twitter
The Opportunity International Australia blog is here! This is an interactive platform where you can find out more about our work with people living in poverty in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Uncover what goes on in the background, learn why we do what we do and read posts on the observations we make along the way. From Australia to the field, Opportunity International Australia staff will post diary notes, videos and photos, as well as links to statistics and articles on poverty or microfinance. You can comment, ask questions, or forward to friends via Twitter and Facebook.
Blog: www.opportunityinternational.posterous.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/opportunityAUS
Facebook: www.facebook.com/opportunityAUS
Host an In Her Footsteps screening with friends!
More than 55 groups from across the country have so far taken the In Her Footsteps Challenge and hosted screenings of Opportunity International Australia’s documentary In Her Footsteps for family, friends, co-workers and other people in their networks.
Narrated by Channel Nine’s Lisa Wilkinson, In Her Footsteps is an abridged 38-minute DVD version of the 2008 feature length production, illustrating the extreme poverty of India and the positive impact microfinance is having on the lives of women who live there. More than $18,000 has been raised so far through the challenge – at an average loan size of $200, that equates to almost 100 women who have been given the opportunity to work their way out of poverty. The challenge, which is in honour of United Nations International Women’s Day, ramps up in 2011, when the day will mark its 100th anniversary. Be sure to get on board in the coming months to show your support!
To host a screening of In Her Footsteps in your home, business or community group, email opinfo@opportunity.org.au for your pack, then gather together your network for an event to remember!
Put Yourself in Her Shoes raises $435,000
October saw three Put Yourself in Her Shoes events take place around the country – first in Brisbane, then Melbourne and Sydney. Hosted nationally by BHP Billiton with support from Freehills in Sydney and Minter Ellison Lawyers in Brisbane, the annual events saw over 300 people come together to raise more than $435,000 for Opportunity International Australia’s work with people living in poverty in the Philippines.
Handicrafts and products made by Opportunity’s clients were on sale at the events, and guests also heard from Connie Ridley, one of Opportunity’s Board Members and Lyn Onesa from TSPI (one of Opportunity’s partners in the Philippines). Lyn shared stories from some of the women she has known – women who, thanks to the opportunity they were given via a small loan, have now been able to grow small businesses, earn incomes and leave poverty behind.
Christmas gift ideas
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Want to give something bigger this year?
This year, show your love to family and friends by giving them something bigger – a gift that will bring a smile to their face and the face of someone less fortunate. Whether you choose a handloom on behalf of a fashion fanatic or a cooking stall in honour of a budding masterchef, each gift helps us provide something bigger – small loans that will give people living in poverty the tools they need to start a business, earn an income and provide for their families for years to come.
Something Bigger is Opportunity International Australia’s charity gift catalogue. www.somethingbigger.org.au
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Just like grandma used to make
My Grandmother’s Kitchen® is a cookbook that celebrates grandmothers from around the world – women from different countries, cultures and backgrounds who share their own special recipes for love, happiness, friendship and, of course, the delicious food that has nourished generations of their families. Opportunity International Australia currently receives 5% of the profits made from the books, which are available for $49.95. Use the promotional code ‘Opportunity’ before Christmas when making your order and an additional $5 from each book sold will also be donated to help us help people out of poverty. Visit www.mygrandmotherskitchen.com.au
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A moment can make a difference
Featuring 21 spectacular landscape photographs from around the world, Love This Moment is an uplifting gift book that inspires us to view our journey through life as a gift and appreciate the beauty that exists all around us. Described as “extraordinarily beautiful” and “a wonderful message”, this is a book that really aims to make a difference. Priced at $19.95, each sale sees $5 go to Opportunity International Australia’s programs to help transform the lives of people in need. Visit www.lovethismoment.com
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