The Good Update - February 2026
The Good Update - February 2026
Stories this month:
From goat farmer to changemaker: Sanju’s inspiring story
Growing dreams: how a loan helped a Cambodian farming family flourish
Strength in community: empowering the Maganda Makers Business Club
Thank you Sondra and welcome to our new Chair, Rebelle Moriarty
Dear Good Return Supporters,
We hope 2026 is off to a great start for you! Over the past year, change has been a defining theme, bringing both challenges and opportunities that have strengthened our work. Through it all, we’ve seen some amazing results and achievements thanks to our teams, donors and partners, supporting marginalised and excluded people across the region. Our commitment to financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment is as strong as ever, and we’re excited for the year ahead.
With the Year of the Fire Horse upon us - a symbol of energy, momentum, and forward movement, we’re looking ahead to a year of growth and new possibilities. We’d love for you to continue with us on this journey, helping women entrepreneurs and their families access the tools, capital, and confidence they need to thrive.
Shane Nichols, CEO
From Goat Farmer to Changemaker: Sanju’s Inspiring Story
Meet Sanju from the Chitwan District of central Nepal. For most of her life, Sanju has been a hard-working goat farmer but today she is also a community leader and changemaker.
After completing Good Return’s Consumer Awareness and Financial Empowerment (CAFE) program in partnership with Sapana Village Social Impact, Sanju gained not just money management skills and financial confidence, but also a deep understanding of the importance of women’s empowerment. Together with her fellow learners, Sanju helped form a savings group that successfully applied for seed funding - enabling microloans to grow their agribusinesses.
Her new financial independence inspired her to go even further. Sanju has recently been elected as a local government representative, supporting her community on the issues of women’s empowerment, education, and children’s rights.
This incredible transformation was made possible through Good Return’s CAFE program, delivered with our local partner Sapana Village Social Impact, and supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.
Growing Dreams: How a Loan Helped a Cambodian Farming Family Flourish
Ms Yin and her husband, Mr Chantha are entrepreneurial farmers from Battambang Province, Cambodia. What began as a small business with just two greenhouses has flourished into a thriving agricultural business – thanks to their hard work, vision and a loan from Wing Bank, backed by Good Return's Impact Investment Fund.
The loan enabled them to grow their operation to five greenhouses. Compared to open-field farming, greenhouse cultivation offers major advantages: it protects crops from extreme weather and enables up to seven harvests a year. Each greenhouse can generate between 3-4 million Riel ($1,125-$1,500) in a good season, and the vegetables fetch premium prices because they’re classified as organic.
Strength in Community: Empowering The Maganda Makers Business Club
“When we share stories with one another, we give each other courage.” – Natasha Short
Watch the inspiring video to hear from Natasha and Maganda Makers Business Club members about their journey, community, and impact.
The Maganda Makers Business Club for Kimberley Indigenous women continues from strength to strength, a powerful movement bringing entrepreneurs together to share ideas, build skills, and strengthen connections. Led by Jaru woman Natasha Short and a group of Kimberley Indigenous women, the Club supports women to pursue their entrepreneurship aspirations, with community at the heart of building confidence and personal and business growth.
Good Return and Menzies Leadership Foundation are proud to have played a key role in supporting the Club’s journey, from inception five years ago to today being registered as an independent not-for-profit organisation.
Thank You Sondra and Welcome Our New Chair, Rebelle Moriarty!
At Good Return’s recent AGM, we farewelled Sondra Cortis as she concluded her nine-year term on the Board, including the past two years as Chair. We are deeply grateful for her generous contribution, dedication, and leadership, which have helped shape and strengthen our organisation.
At the same time, we are delighted to announce Rebelle Moriarty has stepped into the role of Chair. Rebelle will guide the Board through its next chapter, championing strong governance while keeping our purpose and impact front and centre.
During her years of experience in senior HR positions and corporate governance, Rebelle has been driven by a passion for creating meaningful change across diverse business environments.
Find out what drew Rebelle to join Good Return.
Donate Monthly, Become a Good Friend
Our Good Friend monthly donors are committed to increasing their impact on the lives of people in the Asia Pacific region. In return, we will keep you updated with the stories of the people you have helped as they build their businesses, grow their livelihoods and head into stronger futures.