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
By Paulo Lopes, President, ADRA International There’s a verse from Isaiah that has been on my mind as we step into 2026: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” These ancient words capture something essential about this moment for ADRA and
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.
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.
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a powerful Category 5 storm with sustained winds near 185 mph, making it the strongest hurricane in the nation’s history.
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,”
Authors: Beryl Hartmann, director of Safe-Guarding, ADRA International, Kateryna Khits, ADRA Ukraine, Margaret Gasana, ADRA Uganda. In today’s world, the line between natural and man-made crises is increasingly blurred — and the consequences are deeply personal. In the chaos of conflict, disaster, and displacement, children are often the most vulnerable.
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