What Brings
Them Hope
Last week, we celebrated World Humanitarian Day by honoring members of the ADRA family serving around the world. If you missed it, you can read their stories in our World Humanitarian Day feature.
One question stood out from our conversations with humanitarian staff and volunteers: What gives you hope, even during difficult times?
Their answers came from different countries, cultures, and experiences, but common threads emerged: faith, resilient communities, the kindness of others, and the privilege of witnessing lives transformed.
Here is what they shared.
Vanessa Souza, State Coordinator for ADRA Rondonia, Brazil
“What gives me hope is realizing that, even in the midst of chaos and hardship, people manage to find the strength to start over.
Seeing someone smile again after facing so much pain moves me deeply and renews my strength to keep going.”
Hannah Ndungu, Emergency Management Director, ADRA Africa
“Every time I witness a community rise from the devastation of disaster; I am filled with hope.
These moments remind me that I am a vessel God is using to bring comfort and renewal to those in need.
It is this sense of purpose, knowing that God is working through me, that gives me strength, even in the most difficult times.”
Fahim Safi, Senior MEAL Advisory, ADRA International
“My faith in God gives me hope and strength during difficult times.
It reminds me that even in the face of hardship, we are called to care for one another with compassion and dignity.
My faith encourages me to continue serving those with limited resources.”
Geert Hendriks, Country Director for ADRA Netherlands.
“We have God who is working alongside of us.
He will open doors when it seems too many are closed. He will give opportunities when we think there is no way out. He will bring the right people when all others have gone.
We can read so many stories in the Bible of how people have been helped when walking together with Him.
And last, but not least, is the example of Jesus, what and how he did His work.”
Phano Kong, Public Relations Coordinator, ADRA Cambodia
“What gives me hope is seeing the strength of the people we serve.
Even when life is difficult, many families continue working hard to build a better future for themselves and their children.
I also find hope in working alongside colleagues, partners, donors, and volunteers who genuinely care about helping others.
Seeing everyone come together with the same purpose reminds me that positive change is possible.”
Sujit Kumar Sah, Communication and Advocacy Assistant, ADRA Nepal
“The resilience of the people and communities we work with is the core source of hope for me.
No matter what I’m going through, when I see the impact on the people we serve who have been helped by the contributions I made, I forget all my stress and pain.
I feel like if my contribution continues to support them, rebuild people’s lives, and their future. I am always ready for it!”
Valeria Biketova, Project Coordinator, ADRA Kazakhstan
“My faith and trust in Jesus have helped me through serious trials in my own life.
Through both my personal experience and the experiences of the people we serve, I have seen that when professional support is combined with sincere faith in God, even the most difficult circumstances can be overcome.
No matter how unexpected a disaster, illness, or betrayal by someone close to us may be, it is important to remember that there are always people willing to reach out and help – and there is a Savior who will never abandon us.”
Natalia Sheherbakova, Accountant, ADRA Russia
“The confidence that there are more kind and compassionate people on Earth. You’re not alone, someone will help you.”
Stanislav Bielik, Country Director, ADRA Slovakia
“The looks on the faces of children who don’t understand why they have to suffer, yet still trust us to be the ones who can help them.
Children’s eyes are a wonderful source of motivation, and they are just as sincere in Europe, the Middle East or Africa.”
Denis Baratov, Country Director, ADRA MENA
“For those who serve in ADRA, hope rests on a deep conviction: this is God’s organization, and God always provides help, even when earthly resources are exhausted.
Moreover, there is a profound spiritual truth: everything we do for “the least of these brothers,” we do for Him.
This transforms the paradigm of assistance. We cease to be mere distributors of resources; we become God’s hands, and a channel of His love.”
Angelina Taufaga, Emergency Coordinator, ADRA Fiji
“The people around me give me hope. I’ve seen colleagues carry heavy workloads, face difficult situations, and still show up for each other and the communities we serve.
I’m also encouraged by the resilience of communities themselves.
People often have so little, yet they find ways to support one another and keep moving forward.
That resilience reminds me that even in difficult circumstances, there is always something we can do and someone we can help.”
Andrii Khozhez, Project Manager, ADRA Ukraine
“First and foremost, it is my family — my parents and my little nieces and nephews, who were born during the war.
When I feel exhausted or emotionally burnt out, sometimes all I need is to see my parents. We don’t even have to talk — simply being together is enough. Going for walks with my nieces and nephews and playing with them helps me disconnect and, at least for a while, relieve the burden we carry every day because of the war.
We believe and hope that the war will end. The hope for peace and the belief that one day this will be over, gives us the strength to keep going and to keep living.”
Although their cultures, languages, and roles are different, their answers reveal a shared truth:
Hope is something they encounter again and again, in God’s faithfulness, in resilient communities, in the people beside them, and in every life that begins to heal.
As we honor our ADRA humanitarians, please join us in praying for humanitarians and humanitarian workers everywhere. Pray for their safety, strength, and courage as they serve in some of the world’s most difficult places. And as you are able, stand with them through your prayers, generosity, and support, helping ensure they can continue bringing justice, compassion, and love to people when they need it most.
Author | ADRA International
Photo Credit | Vanessa Souza, Hannah Ndungu, Fahim Safi, Geert Hendriks, Phano Kong, Sujit Kumar Sah, Valeria Biketova, Natalia Hope, Stanislav Bielik, Denis Barativ, Angelina Taufaga, and Andrii Khozhez
