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 continues to rise, with thousands of families, children, and individuals journeying across borders in search of safety and opportunity. In 2025, humanitarian organizations across the region witnessed increasing needs among people on the move, from access to food and shelter to protection, medical care, and reliable information. Nearly one in four of those seeking assistance were children, some as young as five, traveling with their families or guardians in hopes of a better future.
Behind every number is a story, a life filled with challenges, determination, and hope. One of those stories belongs to José Antonio.
A Father’s Journey: José Antonio and His Daughters
José Antonio left Venezuela with his two young daughters, four-year-old Andiervis and six-year-old Angervys. After losing his wife, he faced an impossible decision: remain in a place where opportunities had vanished, or travel to a new country in search of safety and a better future for his girls.
“It was very difficult to leave Venezuela and arrive in Brazil,” José recalls. “In Pacaraima I spent more than eight days in a long process to clarify my situation as a single father and present our documentation.”
Life in Brazil brought new challenges, finding work while caring for two grieving daughters and managing his own health concerns. A social worker eventually directed him to ADRA. That introduction changed everything.
“The ADRA team was incredible,” he says. “They enrolled me in the Providencia project, and in less than 15 days they called me to give me the food card with which I support myself and my daughters.”
Through workshops and support groups, José began learning about nutrition, wellness, and resilience. His daughters thrived in NutriKids sessions, returning home eager to apply healthy habits, even requesting a watermelon “birthday cake” to celebrate their new lifestyle.
Behind their smiles, the family still carries grief. Questions from classmates about their mother can bring tears. Yet ADRA’s psychosocial support group has offered José strength:
“Participating has helped me a lot. We share with other people in a safe way. I am very grateful for the kindness and support they offer us; we leave with a different mentality.”
When asked about his dreams, José’s response is simple and profound:
“I want to see my daughters grow, study, and graduate. And I want to see ADRA grow. I know that my family, my friends, and the people who come to Brazil will have doors open to them.”
Why This Work Matters
Migration is not just a statistic, it is a human story. It is the story of José, holding the hands of his two daughters as he crosses a border. It is the story of exhausted families arriving at an ADRA tent and finding what they have been missing: safety, dignity, and hope.
On World Migrant Day, we remember what our calling demands:
Justice for those seeking safety.
Compassion for those walking difficult roads.
Love for every person, made in the image of God.
This is the heart of ADRA.
