Who, what, where?
Kristina Keneally appointed as Ambassador
This September saw us appoint the Hon. Kristina Keneally, MP, as an Ambassador for Opportunity. As former Premier of New South Wales, Ms Keneally has demonstrated her commitment to helping people at both a local and international level. In November she travelled with us to India to visit microfinance clients in Delhi and Mumbai, seeing the impact of small loans on poor communities firsthand.
“Opportunity does amazing and innovative work with incredibly vulnerable people. By using microfinance, it is giving not just charity but hope, and as such, is transforming lives and transforming communities.” The Hon. Kristina Keneally, MP
Want to hear more from Kristina Keneally? Stay tuned for our UN International Women’s Day campaign in March 2012.
Want to build a strong foundation?
Opportunity Ambassador and founder of SilverChef, Queensland-based Allan English has a personal goal to help one million people out of poverty by 2020. To help him reach this impact, Allan recently set up a Private Ancillary Fund (PAF).
“I set up the foundation as a vehicle for investment in social innovation that benefits the community. My passion to support microfinance exists because it’s a tool that allows a large number of people to move out of poverty and to do so with dignity and self esteem.”
PAFs are foundations set up with focused giving strategies, with a distribution made annually to help the people behind them have the impact they desire.
Do you have a vision for the impact you want to have on poverty? If setting up a foundation is of interest to you, talk to Opportunity about how we can help you make a lasting difference in the lives of families who need it most. Get in touch with your Donor Relations Manager or call 1800 812 164.
Food for Thought
“Eat, drink and be generous” was the theme across Australia as more than 32 events were registered in support of our inaugural Food for Thought campaign. Marking the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, the campaign encouraged friends and family to enjoy a fun meal together while raising awareness and funds for people living in poverty.
In Sydney, Food for Thought took to the streets as restaurants along Darlinghurst’s ‘Foodie Street’ (Victoria Street) and surrounds offered a percentage of their profits, led by Boon Chocolates and Zushi. On Crown Street, Surry Hills, the ‘Foodie Corner’ festival brought together a collection of food, fashion and art stalls raising funds in support of the cause.
The Hilton in Adelaide was the location of one of the larger events in South Australia, with celebrity chefs such as Ragini Day (Spice Kitchen Restaurant) coming alongside 270 guests to offer their support on the night. Other individual events around the country brought the total funds raised so far to more than $75,000. Our thanks to everyone who made Food for Thought such a success – we look forward to sharing a meal again next year!
Sharing our story
Did you know that of the 18 million people who live in Delhi, India, 52% live in slums? Here, 9,340 people populate one square kilometre of land, with only one latrine per 190 people and one water pump for every 1,000 people.
Statistics like this were behind a number of events held in October and November, in order to raise funds and awareness for people living in poverty in countries like India and the Philippines. In October, Satyavir Chakrapani – CEO of our partner Shikhar (pictured left with CEO Robert Dunn) – shared his story of working with the poor in the slums of Delhi with guests in Sydney and Melbourne. In honour of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the events raised funds towards a project that helped empower 3,500 women to start small businesses. The events were also hosted by Mallesons Stephen Jaques, who, in 2011, celebrate 10 years of supporting Opportunity, having contributed $1 million through donations and pro bono support.
With the support of Minter Ellison and BHP Billiton, a Put Yourself in Her Shoes luncheon also took place in Brisbane – bringing together more than 100 people to support our programs in the Philippines. Dollar matching by BHP Billiton significantly increased the funds raised on the day. Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia John Anderson AO spoke to guests at lunches held at Clayton Utz in Sydney and PwC in Melbourne. John has become a keen spokesman for Opportunity, saying “I travelled with my wife Julia to Indonesia to see microfinance in action. To see the excitement in the eyes of these women as they spoke about the loans they’d received and how they’d set up their small businesses; to hear the stories about how they were consistently encouraged in their work and what it meant for their children – it was a remarkable experience.”
Live in WA or SA and support Opportunity? Our new Donor Relations Manager Ant Clark would love to hear from you. Ant now looks after both states and can be contacted on 0422 939 200 or aclark@opportunity.org.au