“Nearly 20%—that’s one in five children— ages 3-17 in the U.S. have a mental, developmental, or behavioral disorder, like ADHD, anxiety, behavior issues, or depression,” says ADRA International’s Mental Health Specialist, Weanne Estrada-Magbunua, MPH, during the upcoming “Let’s Talk Mental Health: How Can I Help My Child” webinar. To start conversations
By James Standish It’s called “survival sex” and that we have a term for it lets you know just how common it is. Survival sex occurs when hungry women and girls are forced to exchange sex for the food they need to survive.[1] Survival sex is only one of forms of
Worldwide, 1 in 20,000 people are born with albinism. In Tanzania, the number is closer to 1 in 14,000. With a population of 66.46 million, this means there are more than 40,000 people living with albinism in Tanzania, one of the highest rates of albinism in the world. People with
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
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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