2 Billion Without Access to Sanitary Toilet According to the CDC, diarrhea kills more than 800,000 children under the age of five every year. Of those deaths, 88 percent are the result of unsafe drinking water, inadequate availability of water for hygiene, and lack of access to sanitation. One man
Zana is an 87-year-old grandmother. She lives in the dry, southern, grasslands of Madagascar. There hasn’t been consistent rain to water her small village’s crops in over two years. “Our crops have slowly gotten worse over time.” Zana explains. “If I had enough crops, I would have sold them to
Chepsanak’s eyes are empty. And the plates she and her five children hold are empty too. They haven’t eaten in days. Earlier this year, Chepsanak’s husband died from hunger. He was a hardworking father, spending long days making and selling charcoal to put food on the table and keep his
Venancia doesn’t know when the violence began. “There has been war ever since I was born,” said the 18-year-old who grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.) Even with unrest around her, she was an eager student who loved to study and play soccer with her friends. By
A dry spell in the place of a rainy season is rarely good for the farmers and communities who depend on agriculture for their food and livelihoods. When expected rain doesn’t arrive, a lean season is sure to follow with limited produce to eat and sell for income. This is
When Cyclone Fani tore through the village of Danapada in India, Manju knew her home and family wouldn’t be safe. She sent her children to stay with relatives and took shelter with her neighbors until she was able to return to her house. When the family returned, there was nothing
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
By James Standish “Bucaramanga?”, my friend Mike chuckles1, “nope, never heard of it – but I’m amused to learn that a place called Boo·kaa·ruh·maang·guh even exists!” Mike sounds it out one syllable at a time as we’re sitting in a bagel shop in midtown Manhattan, not too far from the
It’s been reported that global fatalities have increased in 2023 by 30% compared to the previous year due to floods, wildfires, cyclones, storms, landslides, and other disasters. ADRA has been on the frontlines helping communities worldwide who are grappling with the aftermath of disasters and emergencies. In 2023, ADRA responded
Martin Luther King, Jr. described poverty as a monstrous octopus that “projects its nagging, prehensile tentacles in lands and villages all over the world.” This is the beast ADRA Connections volunteers are fighting. ADRA Connections volunteers are partnering with communities to fight this monster. Just ask Kusi. Kusi is part
Standing in the middle of an endless field of vegetables, Maro Jeanine recalls how her village was years ago.
Located in the heart of Mugamba village, Madame Safyatu Mwamba Tchibola’s small bakery plays a vital role in supplying bread to local residents.
We didn’t have access to good seeds and didn’t know how to sow in order, so we sowed in disorder and production was very low; in a 0.5-hectare field of maize and cowpea seedlings after long and arduous work.
My children and I were miserable because we were in Angola during the war. With the exodus of refugees following this calamity, we returned to our village with nothing.
In the heart of Mungamba, a vibrant health area in a rural part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kasai Province, Kamonia Territory, lives Madam Tshibi Tshitambala Josephine, a 65-year-old woman with nine children whose story is a testament to the transformative power of education.
Thanks to ADRA, I have been taught a new skill in soap-making. It keeps me busy and helps cater to my families immediate needs.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the BUREKA project has been working to improve agricultural practices through cultivating carrots in Kamonia.