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
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
By Paulo Lopes, President, ADRA International In the early hours after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica this past October, our emergency response teams navigated flooded streets and toppled power lines to reach families huddled in shelters. The Category 5 storm had devastated the island: homes destroyed, communities cut off, nearly
As the year draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the lives changed, the communities strengthened, and the hope restored—all because of your generosity. This year has brought immense challenges around the world. Families displaced by conflict, children facing hunger, and communities rebuilding after disasters have all needed
Every day across the world, families take courageous steps toward safety, stability, and hope. Some walk for weeks through dense jungle. Others cross borders with children in their arms and dreams in their hearts. On World Migrant Day, ADRA honors their resilience. Migration throughout the Inter and South American regions
This story was originally published by ADRA Japan and has been adapted for ADRA International. Around the world, thousands of runners lace up their shoes not only to test their limits, but also to support causes that create meaningful change. The Tokyo Marathon Charity Program is one of the ways athletes transform
Faith, Family, and the Journey to Safety When the war reached their hometown of Novomoskovsk, Dmytro Trebushkovand his wife faced an impossible choice: stay in the home they had built with their foster children or flee with nothing but faith. “We never imagined we would have to pack up and leave,”
Every person deserves the dignity of a safe toilet. Yet, in 2025, nearly half the world’s population still lives without one. This year’s World Toilet Day theme, “Sanitation in a Changing World,” reminds us that sanitation systems must be future-ready and accessible to all, resilient to floods and droughts, and supported by strong investments that protect
It is wonderful to connect about something so close to our hearts: the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. When we talk about our Church, we often think about spreading the good news, sharing our beliefs and looking forward to Jesus’ return. However, there has been a perception that the
In classrooms across Baalbek and Mount Lebanon, children who have fled war and hardship sit side by side with their Lebanese peers, opening books, reciting lessons, and rediscovering what it means to dream again. Behind every one of those hopeful faces stands a teacher — a steady, compassionate guide shaping
On the third Sabbath of every month, Terrina Williams tells the Children’s Story at Meadowbridge Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia. This year, Sabbath, June 21st, happened to be a special day—World Refugee Day. To mark the occasion, Terrina chose the hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” For months, the children had
With the sun blazing on the tin roof, I heard her tell about how she fled for her life. In the refugee settlement she came to, she saw no other options than to sell her body. The woman in front of me spoke about how life had been a couple
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