As president of her village savings and loans (VSL) program, Estelle is a natural leader. Weekly meetings are orderly; small fines are issued for infractions such as tardiness, absence, or losing a key to the lockbox; and she keeps a watchful eye over every transaction as they are recorded in
It is crowded at the train station at Tabanovce as the refugees exit the train. Today they have crossed the border from Greece, where they arrived in Europe, and boarded the train at the first station in Macedonia. The few tents put up for shelters are quickly filled up, and
At one month old, Qamar has nowhere to call home. Her parents, Mustafa and Hala, are refugees who fled Syria to escape growing violence and the threat of terror that surrounded them. They left their home in Damascus two months before we met them. Hala gave birth to beautiful Qamar
On a given day, hundreds of refugees may trickle across borders or they may come in waves of thousands. Today, a group of fifty were crossing into Serbia from Bulgaria, so there was time for ADRA team members to make conversation. One volunteer spoke at length with a father named
Said is only 14, but has experienced hardships that no child should face. In Serbia, he shared his family’s story: “Mom and dad told us that we are going to Europe. We did not took anything with us, except of one spare clothe for each of us. They did not
On the first day of school, Jo walks down familiar streets. When he reaches the schoolhouse, it is no different than before. Fewer people lingering in the street, perhaps. Fewer children laughing on the front lawn. One year ago, the Ebola outbreak was a growing rumor in West Africa. It
Thirteen-year-old Samvel is an artist. He paints what he sees, and the picture becomes the scene. He paints what he imagines, and the colors and shapes blossom from the paper like lilies from a field. He has a keen eye and a sensitive spirit, and everyone agrees: Samvel is an
Placidia holds a new pair of shoes in her hands. Her shy smile has grown, and today the 6-year-old is practically beaming as she clutches the simple, black canvas slip-ons. These are the first shoes she has ever called her own. Placidia is the youngest of seven daughters. Her mother
Snezana’s marriage began as something out of a fairy tale. She was young and beautiful; he was older, hardworking, and devoted. Her family disapproved of the union, but the two were in love. She gave birth to two children and stayed home to raise them. He worked even harder to
Danilo is a fisherman from Panay Island in the Philippines. Growing up impoverished, he had no chance to get an education and began fishing for a living at 12 years old. Fishing is the only livelihood he’s known, so he was devastated when Typhoon Haiyan destroyed his boat as it
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
In 2024, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) reaffirmed its role as a global leader in disaster response and humanitarian aid, addressing more than 114 emergencies across the globe. From natural disasters to conflict zones, ADRA’s tireless efforts have brought relief and hope to countless communities. This year’s record-breaking floods
What inspires a young chiropractor to leave the comfort of Southern California, step away from modern-day conveniences, and travel to Peru in the middle of their winter to build homes for those in need? For Angelene Rivera, the answer lay in a divine calling she couldn’t ignore. When Angelene first heard
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