Before 2015, Emilienne was always frowning. The mother of four in Madagascar had good reason: her husband had left her, her children were hungry, and she could not afford any school fees. “I used to be so worried all the time,” the single mother said. “When people would talk to
A mother is not just a noun. As a verb, to mother can mean many things: to love, to teach, to provide, to heal, to listen, to sacrifice, to inspire. The list goes on. Additionally, a mother is not just biological. In my travels with ADRA, I’ve met countless mothers—those
“The winds started in the evening.” Glorimar recalls the horrors of Hurricane Maria like it was yesterday. The powerful storm all but destroyed her community in Puerto Rico—the place she’d called home her entire life. “The sound of the wind across the roofing sheets was horrible. My daughter wanted to
Venezuelan Migrant Beneficiary Turned ADRA Employee Carlos is truly a renaissance man. In his native Venezuela, Carlos studied and graduated from university with a degree in communication, worked as a tailor, volunteered as a sign language interpreter, and formed part of a cultural dance group. Carlos led an active life alongside
In Madagascar, It hasn’t rained for almost two years, the earth is packed hard, and only the occasional cactus breaks the horrific sea of brown—and even they are starting to wither from the lack of rain. Empty. It’s also how you’d describe the eyes of starving children like Saholy. Their
When the magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit Indonesia on September 28, Asdar was unprepared. He had just returned from work for lunch at his home in Petobo, a small northern village when the first tremors struck. “We were eating when the earthquake hit,” he recalled. “We had no preparation for the
Mrs. Juana Zelaya is a 57-year-old mother and wife who lives in the community of Las Casitas, 89 kilometers from the capital of Honduras. It is a community with very difficult road access and belongs to what is called the Dry Corridor of southern Honduras. Las Casitas is one of
Ha Thi Thom, 23 years old, is living with her husband and two sons in Phieng Tac village, Kim Cuc commune, Bao Lac district. Thom said that for many generations, the people in her village were using open cooking stoves, which was the traditional one with three stands. One of
More than a year ago, a bright-eyed and slender nine-year-old girl named Malee* was offered refuge at Keep Girls Safe (KGS), a shelter in the rural district of Chiang Rai, run by ADRA in Thailand. “Her mom didn’t want her and local villagers couldn’t keep her,” said Sunita, KGS project
Three months ago, Esa was wasting away from a lack of food. Due to nationwide instability, there was little in the small Yemeni village of Al-Noba for the one-year-old to eat. Though the rest of his family also suffered from hunger, little Esa suffered most of all. His arms were
As we stop to recognize World Literacy Day on September 8, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) continues to reaffirm its commitment to literacy as a foundational tool for achieving equality, individual empowerment and sustainable development. Michael Kruger, president of ADRA International, emphasizes the importance of literacy in ADRA’s
On World Humanitarian Day, August 19, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) recognizes the dedication and compassion of the many professionals whose tireless efforts drive meaningful humanitarian work. This year, ADRA spotlights Annette Parris, the inspiring Country Director for ADRA Curacao and ADRA Bonaire, whose work exemplifies the profound
As the world observes International Youth Day in August, ADRA is proud to spotlight remarkable young people like Alejandro Flores from La Victoria, Honduras. This small rural village, known for its vibrant greenery and industrious farmers, has faced significant challenges recently. Climate change has severely impacted their financial stability, with
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) participated in this year’s Young Professionals Conference, held in Houston, Texas, this past summer. This marks the fourth consecutive year of ADRA’s active involvement, showcasing its unwavering commitment to empowering young professionals and fostering awareness of positive change worldwide. The purpose of the
Abed Odeh, a 65-year-old resident of Beit Lahia in the north of Gaza, once led a peaceful life surrounded by his large family of 25. A father of eight, Abed saw all his children graduate from university with high honors. “Education has always been important to our family,” he says
In a small village in the region of El Paraiso nestled among the mountains of Honduras, lives a woman named Santos Victorina Tomás Flores. Santos is the mother of four children—three boys and one girl. Her days are filled with love for her children, but also with the harsh reality
Hear ye, hear ye, the most anticipated time of the year has finally arrived, and no, I’m not talking about Christmas. I’ll give you a few clues: it’s a season where the bright yellow sun casts fun shadows for us to chase after; the local pools begin to sparkle with
Meet Ahmed, an 11-year-old refugee who fled the war in Syria with his family a decade ago, seeking safety in Lebanon. Ahmed and his family now live in a makeshift tent made of tarpaulins and various scraps, near a cashew nut farm owned by their landlord. During school breaks, Ahmed
(May 21, 2024) Pastor Ahmed Mohamed knelt by the side of the dusty road where he, his wife and three children had paused to rest. “God save us!” he prayed. “How can I preach Your word, if I am dead?” He looked at his family huddled under a lone tree
SILVER SPRING, MD (May 1, 2024) – On the morning of February 7, Trinidad and Tobago’s fishermen set out under the usual azure skies, their boats slicing through the tranquil waters. But this day would mark a profound shift in the island’s serenity. Instead of the familiar blue expanse, they encountered
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