On the first day of school, Jo walks down familiar streets. When he reaches the schoolhouse, it is no different than before. Fewer people lingering in the street, perhaps. Fewer children laughing on the front lawn. One year ago, the Ebola outbreak was a growing rumor in West Africa. It
Thirteen-year-old Samvel is an artist. He paints what he sees, and the picture becomes the scene. He paints what he imagines, and the colors and shapes blossom from the paper like lilies from a field. He has a keen eye and a sensitive spirit, and everyone agrees: Samvel is an
Placidia holds a new pair of shoes in her hands. Her shy smile has grown, and today the 6-year-old is practically beaming as she clutches the simple, black canvas slip-ons. These are the first shoes she has ever called her own. Placidia is the youngest of seven daughters. Her mother
Snezana’s marriage began as something out of a fairy tale. She was young and beautiful; he was older, hardworking, and devoted. Her family disapproved of the union, but the two were in love. She gave birth to two children and stayed home to raise them. He worked even harder to
Danilo is a fisherman from Panay Island in the Philippines. Growing up impoverished, he had no chance to get an education and began fishing for a living at 12 years old. Fishing is the only livelihood he’s known, so he was devastated when Typhoon Haiyan destroyed his boat as it
Rita is an elderly woman who never imagined having to leave her home behind at this stage in life. But when violence and unrest in Syria threatened the safety of her and her family, there was no choice. Rita fled her home with her remaining family members and was unable
At the age of 10, James went to school for the first time. He was ecstatic. He had no idea that in less than three months he would be fleeing for his life from his home in South Sudan, across the border to Uganda. In January of 2014, tribal war
Ekua was barely able to provide for her loved ones. Living in Gambia with her husband, who was out of work, she became the sole provider. She was selling dried fish at the market and earning paltry profits, so the little food she could afford was not nearly enough to
Maria, age 73, is the matriarch of a full house. Within her home are two sons, three daughters, and two grandchildren. Like many subsistence farmers in the rural Alto community, Maria planted corn on her modest parcel of land to feed her household. That year, the rains came too late.
Raniza lives in a village of Tharu, a population of forest dwellers indigenous to the Himalayan foothills of southern Nepal. A few years ago, she was unable to read or write, and her only source of income was cutting and selling firewood Like so many women of her village, Raniza
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
Before eating Before cooking Before giving food to the child Wash your hands! It is not uncommon for Balilo Pedro Papy to hear those lyrics on the air while working in communities in the Kitangua health zone of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). After going to the latrine, Mom
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