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
Ingrid Flores is a single woman living with her mother and young son in the dry corridor of Honduras where more than half of the population is living in substandard conditions. For years she lived with an abusive husband until one day he beat her and left her lying on
SILVER SPRING, MD (March 8, 2024) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is honoring International Women’s Day (March 8) and National Women’s History Month by spotlighting the amazing stories of the mission’s female leaders. The United Nations designated the 2024 Women’s theme, as the year to inspire inclusion and
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
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
Across the world, millions of children are preparing to return to school—some carrying brand-new backpacks and pencils, others simply carrying the hope of a better future. At ADRA, we believe that education changes everything. Whether in bustling cities or remote refugee camps, our mission is to give every child the chance
This Father’s Day, ADRA celebrates dignity, resilience, and the right to provide In the Middle East, where winter’s chill bites deeper for those who are displaced or living in poverty, one father’s quiet determination tells a powerful story about love, dignity, and survival. Ibrahim is a devoted father of 19
The Fort Scott Adventist church in Kansas is a small church of just 25 members. Yet a big dream took root in the heart of one little boy—and transformed an entire community. Each year, Shelly Bradley’s Sabbath School class would flip through ADRA’s Gift Catalog, choosing a project to fund
As the 2024 tax year wraps up, you may be looking for a way to save on taxes in 2025. Planned giving is a strategic way to support the causes you care about while maximizing financial benefits. These charitable contributions allow individuals to leave a meaningful legacy, often while enjoying
In the remote village of Dacope, Bangladesh, where the land is affected by high salinity and farming is a challenge, families struggle to find reliable sources of income. For women in particular, opportunities to earn a living and support their families are limited. But thanks to ADRA Bangladesh’s Community Empowerment
SILVER SPRING, MD (January 23, 2025) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is mobilizing critical, life-saving aid to support communities in Gaza following the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The region has been ravaged by months of conflict, resulting in widespread loss of life, countless injuries, and millions displaced
On World Migrant Day, we pause to reflect on the resilience and courage of millions of migrants worldwide and honor the organizations that tirelessly work to support them. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is at the forefront of this humanitarian effort, providing critical assistance to migrants and refugees
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