One of the micro-enterpreneurs supported through the work of Opportunity International Australia. PICTURE: Opportunity International Australia
World Entrepreneurs Day is a time to celebrate the many remarkable entrepreneurs who live in developing countries and “swim against the tide and flourish”, according to Christian microfinance and development organisation Opportunity International Australia.
Marked internationally on 21st August, World Entrepreneurs Day was created by the Alliance of International Business Associations as a day to recognise and celebrate enterpreneurs and enterpreneurial leadership around the globe.
Robert Dunn, CEO of Opportunity International Australia, said that he has been privileged to meet some remarkable entrepreneurs in developing countries who are “swimming against the tide and succeeding, despite all odds”.
“Like Australian entrepreneurs, those in developing countries are creative, courageous, tenacious, resilient and are determined to build something,” he said. “They need seed funding to start and grow businesses, just like Australian entrepreneurs, and they take big risks.”
John Hagerty, an Opportunity ‘ambassador’ and the founder and CEO of business consultancy Be Business, said enterpreneurs in developing countries are “incredibly inspiring”.
“When you look at the circumstances in which they live you realise just what a tough gig they have,” he said. “The ones I have met are incredibly hard working and dedicated to the betterment of their children and accepting of their own fate – that their own life isn’t going to change much for them personally but they have the capacity to make a better life for their children. They are totally committed to making that happen. They are predominantly focused on generational change and they are OK with that rather than focusing on themselves. It’s incredibly generous and selfless.”
Opportunity International works with partner agenciues to support micro-enterpreneurs in 22 nations around the world.
To help an entrepreneur in a developing country to build a business donate here.
