Opportunity works

“It is about a hand up, not a hand out,” HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Opportunity International UK, summed up the work of the charity at a drinks reception in Inner Temple Hall on 20 October in support of Opportunity UK’s work in Africa. The strategy is to use microfinance—loans, saving schemes, insurance—as a means of fighting poverty in the developing world.  “If you can target the right areas you can make a real difference”, Princess Anne pointed out. The targets here are the most excluded; 85 per cent of the loans are to women whose priority is to invest in their children’s education. An impressive 98 per cent of the loans are repaid. Vivian Robinson QC, Treasurer of Inner Temple, further praised the work of lawyers doing pro bono work in Africa and fostering the rule of law. “Law provides a climate through which peace and prosperity grows”, he said. Visit: www.opportunity.org.uk for further information.