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. High-pressure environments can give rise to gender-based violence, exploitation, and the abuse of power — sometimes even by those entrusted to help.
At the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), we recognize that every person we serve carries both a story and a risk — the risk that harm could come not only from their circumstances, but from within the systems meant to protect them. That’s why safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
In every setting, whether responding to disasters or walking alongside communities long-term, ADRA takes a holistic approach. Safeguarding is not just about preventing physical harm. It’s about protecting dignity, nurturing mental health, and honoring spiritual well-being.
Children have a universal right to be protected from harm, including harm that may come from those meant to help them. That’s why ADRA’s safeguarding work goes beyond compliance. It’s about creating spaces where children feel safe, seen, and supported, where healing and hope can take root.
From the war-affected classrooms of Ukraine to the resilient schools of Uganda, ADRA is working to protect children in every dimension of their lives, and to ensure that every child has the chance to thrive.
Supporting Children’s Education During the War in Ukraine
The ongoing war in Ukraine has deeply affected the country’s education system. Thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed, and millions of children have been displaced from their homes. Many families have relocated multiple times, and children often face long interruptions in their learning. Frequent air raid alerts, lack of internet access, and psychological distress further limit opportunities for consistent education.
The disruption of schooling has led to significant learning losses, especially among children living in frontline and hard-to-reach areas. Beyond academics, schools traditionally provide a safe environment, social interaction, and emotional support, all of which are now under threat. The longer children remain out of the classroom, the harder it becomes for them to regain confidence, motivation, and essential life skills.
In response to this urgent challenge, ADRA Ukraine has launched initiatives to help children recover from educational disruptions and continue learning in safe and supportive settings. The organization collaborates with local schools, communities, and international partners to provide access to alternative learning spaces, tutoring programs, and digital education tools.
ADRA also implements catch-up learning programs aimed at helping students bridge knowledge gaps caused by months or even years of interrupted schooling. In addition to academic support, these programs integrate psychosocial activities that help children cope with stress and rebuild their sense of normalcy.
Through these efforts, ADRA Ukraine ensures that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream again — even in times of crisis. Education is not only a right but also a foundation for recovery and peace, and ADRA’s commitment to restoring learning opportunities represents hope for the future generation of Ukraine.
Voices of Hope from Amuru, Uganda
In Amuru, northern Uganda, a quiet revolution is taking place. In just ten schools, children once weighed down by hunger, neglect, and fear are now blooming with confidence and hope. Thanks to ADRA Uganda’s PASSAGE project funded by the Finnish government for the last 3 years.
The PASSAGE model brings together schools, parents, and communities to nurture the whole child. It’s a simple idea with powerful results.
Through psychosocial counseling, children have healed from trauma and learned their rights. Parents once harsh, now guide their children with patience and love.
Through school gardens and feeding programs, children enjoy at least one hot, nutritious meal each day. Often the reason they run eagerly to school. There is visible evidence compared to those studying on an empty stomach.
Through early child savings account and village saving groups, families have learnt to save, plan and invest in education. “I saved 400,000 UGX (US$112) for my daughter’s fees,” says Atim Pamela a proud mother at a local Primary school. Hope found a home in Amuru.
And through coaching boys into men, young boys have learnt respect, care and PASSAGE has built a new generation of compassionate leaders who value and protect the female gender. Girls are now comfortable attending school with no fear of abuse and bullying.
World Children’s Day
On this World Children’s Day, ADRA celebrates the quiet miracles unfolding in classrooms from Uganda to Ukraine — Where children are not only protected from harm, but empowered to heal, learn, and dream again. Whether through psychosocial support, safe learning spaces, or community-led transformation, ADRA’s work goes beyond physical safety to restore dignity, confidence, and opportunity.
But we cannot do it alone.
We invite you — our friends, partners, and champions for children — to stand with us. Your support can help expand activities to more schools in Uganda, equip learning hubs in Ukraine, and ensure that every child, no matter the crisis, has a safe place to grow. Together, let’s turn protection into possibility — and make hope a reality for every child.
