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Image: Luke Vodell
ADRA NEWS
Winter 2018
Hope for the Future As she prepares breakfast for her two children, the sun creeps above the fog – its warm glow beginning to heat the chilled air. On the menu this morning is dal bhat, a traditional Nepalese meal of rice and lentils. Bhagwati is 31 years old. Her two children – a boy, 13, and a girl, 11 – have gone to collect water from the community tap, about five minutes’ walk away. As Bhagwati stirs the steaming pot of lentils, she shares her story.
When Bhagwati’s husband became physically disabled nine years ago, it threw her life into uncertainty. He was not able to work, casting Bhagwati into the role of single parent, as well as being a primary carer for her husband. This took an extreme toll on her. “It was stressful because I had to look after the children and the housework,” she says. “I felt like all the responsibility fell on my shoulders.” There were times when she didn’t know how they would survive. “We did not have enough food, and we often ran out of money.”
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In a small hillside village in western Nepal, Bhagwati kneels beside the fire and warms her hands in front of red-hot coals.
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CEO Message One Friday morning in April, I enjoyed a beach sunrise with one of my daughters as part of a school activity. It was an experience I have filed away in my precious memories.
Once the activity concluded and the parents were excused, I took the opportunity to enjoy a quick surf. Even though it was well into autumn, the water was warm and clear, the sun was shining and the waves… well, they were just about right for an aging surfer. I paddled out a little south of the other surfers and with space around me began a conversation with God – at times out loud and at times silently. My prayer started seeking safety, health and salvation for my family and friends before focusing on my work with ADRA. I asked for wisdom to confront the challenges; courage to take the opportunities; and that our collective endeavours will make a real difference in the lives of those we serve. It was then I had a ‘light bulb’ moment that I should have had many months before. I realised I had been spending more time praying for ADRA and our work than the people we work for. Both are important but
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the people are more important. Now intentionally praying for the people, I found myself becoming increasingly aware of all the blessings and luxuries in my life. My stomach was full (maybe too full), I had a home to live in and a comfortable place to sleep, I belonged in my country, my security was not under threat and my income was steady. The penny was dropping quickly now and the words from Luke 12:48 (NIV) were on repeat in my mind: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Even though there are many who have so much more than me, I am someone who has been given much. The Lord has blessed me with time, experiences and an income – all of which give me an opportunity to be generous and help others. In this edition of ADRA News, you will see the impact of your generosity on the lives of people overseas and here in Australia, and we want to pause and say “thank you” for making that possible. Our aim is to multiply your generosity so that those we help can express their gratitude by helping others.
T: 02 9489 5488 1800 242 372 E: adra.info@adra.org.au www.adra.org.au www.facebook.com/ADRAAustralia
ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
Paul Rubessa CEO ADRA Australia
Editor Josh Dye Contributors Josh Dye, Janelle Muller, Paul Rubessa, Cameron Reid, John, Jennifer
www.adra.org.au
Bhagwati began to see her life slipping away. Her children’s futures were threatened through no fault of her own. But she refused to give up. “I was determined to gain some skills and improve my life. ADRA’s training taught me tailoring skills and how to run a small business.” The training was part of the GOAL project, which empowers people in vulnerable communities through micro-enterprise and entrepreneurship training. “I studied for six months in the class. After learning the skills, I was able to train others. With that money I bought a new sewing machine.” Once she established her business, she was able to buy another machine – an overlocker. As a woman in Nepal, Bhagwati has faced many challenges. Traditionally, Nepalese women face discrimination and a lack of respect. But women like Bhagwati are challenging these norms. ADRA Nepal project officer Kabir Ratna Sthapit says Bhagwati is an inspiration to other women in her community. “Through determination and hard work, Bhagwati is ensuring a brighter future for her children,” he says. The transformation in her life is inspirational. Despite being thrust into the role of sole carer and single parent, Bhagwati has thrived. Despite hardship and disadvantage, she has fought every day to improve her family’s wellbeing, striving to set up her children for success. Not only that, she has become a leader to others, generously paying forward what she has received. “Whatever skills I have learned, I teach them to others so they can learn,” Bhagwati says. “Compared to before, there is a big difference in my life. I am very happy now. When I set my mind to something, I can achieve it. I feel empowered to do anything I want to do.”
Image: Luke Vodell
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She desperately wants them to get an education, but can’t help them as much as she would like to. “As a child, I was only able to study up to grade five,” she says. “It means I'm not able to help my children with their homework. Education is important because if you don’t study, you will be left behind,” she says. “But as my children are getting older, I worry whether I will be able to support their education.” As her children return from collecting water, Bhagwati smiles. “I want them to have a bright future.” Rebina, her daughter, is already in her school uniform. “I like going to school because I get to learn new things,” she says excitedly. “When I grow up, I want to be a doctor so I can help people who are sick.” Bhagwati knows what poverty feels like, and she’s desperate to ensure her children have a brighter future.
But while her life now is unrecognisable from nine years ago, Bhagwati is terrified of her children becoming stuck in the cycle of poverty.
ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
Please donate now to help people like Bhagwati and her family. Call 1800 242 372 or visit adra.org.au
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The Gift that Keeps Giving When ADRA received a generous bequest from a loyal donor, part of the gift was used to purchase a bus. How useful is a bus, you might ask? Well, for thousands of people in Brisbane’s south, it has made a crucial difference. Each week the ADRA Community Centre in Logan (QLD) assists hundreds of people in need through emergency relief, food parcels, a soup kitchen and domestic violence support.
ADRA Community Centre bus
The Centre has also established a nearby community garden which provides work opportunities as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. The Centre is a registered ‘Work for the Dole’ provider, helping to upskill people so they can find employment. Thanks to the bus, the Centre has since been able to win three government contracts worth $120,000 to provide work opportunities for people on welfare.
Logan Community Garden
Centre manager Henk La Dru says the bus has been invaluable.
Melville Simonsz, ADRA Australia’s chief financial officer, says bequests are crucial.
“We can pick them up, take them out there and bring them back. A lot of our participants haven’t got licences or don’t have a car,” Henk says.
“Leaving a bequest enables long-term investment in programs which help vulnerable people thrive, enabling your legacy to live on – doing good into the future.”
“Without the bus, we wouldn’t be able to get the contracts because we wouldn’t be able to get participants to the site to do the work. And, we’ve been able to reach out to people who are struggling.”
As you consider what your legacy will be, consider leaving a bequest to have a lasting impact and make a meaningful difference.
The extra funds from the government contracts have enabled the Centre to fund other areas of its programs. It’s amazing how a simple gift generously left in a Will is having an ongoing, lasting impact.
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ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
For more information, contact Stephen Pollack: stephenpollack@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
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Development Education
Rethinking the Non-Profit Overhead One of the most oft-quoted measures of non-profit efficiency is ‘overhead’. ADRA compares favourably on this measure, with at least 88% of funds directly expended on project activity every year. But just how helpful is such a measure? Why do we consider overhead as detracting from the ‘real work’ of the organisation? We certainly strive for maximum efficiency and effectiveness, but does a low administration and fundraising allocation really demonstrate this? Expenditure on ‘overheads’ actually achieve some very useful ends. Specifically, they ensure sufficient funding so that projects can be sustained long enough to have an impact. They ensure compliance with quality standards and legislation, they ensure funds are administered according to donor intention, and help to prevent fraudulent transactions. It would be great if everyone was just honest, wouldn’t it? But financial flows to terrorist organisations, Oxfam’s recent experience with sexual misconduct and cases of child sexual abuse in institutions have highlighted how important it is for non-profits to have robust policies, systems and protections in place. Curtis Klotz from Propel Nonprofits 1 argues that charities have encouraged supporters to view overhead as a leakage from the core mission because of the way we communicate expenditures. The familiar pie chart above encourages us to view important organisation infrastructure as ‘taking a slice out of the pie’
instead of recognising it as crucial to building a strong and effective organisation. Underfunded programs that don’t contribute to the core mission support costs create a gap at the centre, undermining the effective functioning of the entire organisation. In fact, investing in the core should help non-profits achieve more good in the world, to amplify program effectiveness. Take the ADRA Connections program for example. When we send teams overseas we ensure our volunteers are trained, that they are safe to be with children. We also ensure our overseas partners are trained, that they know what to do in case of an emergency, that they know how to manage cross-cultural relationships and more. Imagine what could happen if we didn’t invest in these core activities? How effective could those teams be? This critical ‘infrastructure’ is what makes ADRA effective. So please join with us in changing the conversation. Let’s celebrate the important role core infrastructure has in achieving amazing things with people living in poverty. Sources: 1 https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2016/08/16/graphic-re-visioningnonprofit-overhead/
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ADRA PNG emergency coordinator Willie Kunsei (right) with Adventist Aviation Services pilot Matthew Mati With a vast international network ADRA is able to effectively respond to almost every disaster. In the past few months, the South Pacific has been inundated with disasters. There have been deadly earthquakes in PNG, a cyclone in Tonga, floods in Fiji and a volcano in Vanuatu. ADRA Australia has also contributed funds to a cholera outbreak in Zambia and a volcano in the Philippines. Closer to home, bushfires in south-east NSW claimed dozens of homes, with ADRA volunteers accommodating 160 people who had fled to their local evacuation centre.
PNG In the early hours of February 26, a massive 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocked the Southern Highlands of PNG.
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More than 100 people died, with hundreds of thousands affected. Because it shook such a remote part of PNG, it took aid agencies time to assess the needs, establish a response and deliver supplies. ADRA partnered with Adventist Aviation Services to reach those regions most difficult to access. There were a number of delays due to damage to electricity and communication infrastructure, as well as difficulty in reaching remote parts of the country most affected. Just before Easter, the first plane was able to land and deliver vital food assistance. A total of 3550kg of food supplies were loaded and delivered to Huya Airstrip, including 266 bags of rice, 51 cartons of tinned fish, 6 cartons of cooking oil and 12 cartons of salt. Over the ensuing days, another 5500kg of food was delivered, in total assisting hundreds of families.
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Image: Willie Kunsei
Disaster Updates
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Vanuatu
Image: ADRA South Pacific
Ongoing volcanic activity on the island of Ambae continues to affect its population of more than 10,000 people. In November last year, ADRA received funding from the Australian government through the Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CANDO) consortium to provide relief to residents evacuated from the island. However, ongoing eruptions could force the population to be permanently resettled somewhere else. In April, ADRA distributed jerry cans, tarpaulins and sanitation and hygiene kits to hundreds of people affected by the disaster. Cyclone damage in Tonga
Tonga
Image: Ian Campbell
ADRA distributed hundreds of food parcels to vulnerable people in Tonga following Cyclone Gita in February. ADRA worked closely with the Adventist church to coordinate the food distributions to households identified as vulnerable by the Tongan government through its national disability scheme.
Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Tathra
Fiji In April, flooding from Category 1 Cyclone Josie caused severe flooding to parts of Fiji. A team of ADRA staff and volunteers distributed 99 water and sanitation kits to families in the affected areas in Ba Province. Each kit contained two 10-litre collapsible water tanks, a 7-litre bucket with lid, a water filter, soap, washing powder and sanitary pads.
In March, a bushfire ripped through Tathra near Bega on the NSW south coast. Hundreds of local residents were displaced, sheltering at nearby evacuations. A team of ADRA volunteers provided temporary emergency accommodation for 160 people unable to return home. They were even thanked – personally – by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
ADRA does not always open a full-scale public appeal in response to every disaster, but you can still donate by visiting adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
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Image: Jimmy Jacobs
Literacy Changing Lives
The ability to read and write is something we take for granted in Australia because almost everyone can do it. But in many communities in Papua New Guinea, it’s a skill far less common because of high illiteracy rates. An adult literacy project – funded partly by the Australian government through the Church Partnership Program (CPP) – is making a lifechanging difference. The program trains adult literacy teachers to go out and train their own students, thus benefiting the trainers who are able to solidify and further improve their skills. In April, 27 people in Patiko, East Sepik province (PNG) graduated from adult literacy classes. Cameron Reid of ADRA Australia attended the graduation ceremony and said it was an honour to meet people with such commitment to serving others. “I was inspired by the work the trainers are doing. They are making an incredible difference by reaching some of the most remote parts of
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PNG with these valuable life skills,” Cameron said. SDA national adult literacy coordinator Bernard Paru has been integral in developing stage one of a three-stage adult literacy curriculum, whereby learners are able to read and write Tok Pisin within three months. Phase two, still in development, will enable phase one graduates to continue learning, becoming proficient in Basic English within a further six months. Trainers, prior to receiving their own certification as adult literacy trainers, must graduate classes of their own students as well as training two groups of trainers themselves. It is a rigour that ensures resources are spent on only those committed to continuing the service in the community. One of the most active and committed trainers, Virginia Walikawa, recently graduated her second class of adult literacy learners, taking her own graduate total to 48 learners. A previous graduation ceremony in February in Aitape saw 28 learners graduate, while in March another 97 people graduated in Kokoda Station in Oro Province.
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Saving Life and Limb Telita* knew something was wrong with her mother – she was constantly sick and lacked the energy she once had. As a result, Telita was increasingly needed to keep her family going. Then, she found out why. “I had this itchiness on my ankle,” Talita’s mother says. “I thought it was just a little sore, but it gradually grew so I was taken to hospital. That’s when they found out I had diabetes.” Her mother developed grizzly sores on her leg and was told she would need it removed. It would also mean she’d lose her job. Telita’s mother has Type 2 diabetes – a disease that causes thousands of people in the Pacific to lose their limbs and their lives.
South Pacific nations have among the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world – so high that the United Nations warns that diabetes and other non-communicable diseases are one of the greatest threats to the region’s development. To address this issue, ADRA has teamed up with Adventist Health to save the lives and limbs of those affected. The project is called 10,000 Toes, and it will equip local churches with the skills and tools to conduct community health assessments for the early detection of diabetes (and other, related chronic diseases).
Images: Kyle Vincent
Sadly, diabetes has not only taken her mother’s leg and employment, but threatened Telita’s future as well. In order to help her mother and her family survive Telita has dropped out of school.
it will improve the capacity of health professionals working in health systems across the South Pacific to manage diabetes. *Name changed to protect privacy.
The project will also train and resource lifestyle coaches in the South Pacific with skills to help prevent, arrest and reverse Type 2 diabetes, and
ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
Your support will not only help stamp out diabetes, but it will ensure other children like Telita don’t have their futures taken by the impact of Type 2 diabetes. Visit adra.org.au/10000toes
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Volunteer Profile
Jack was ordered to attend counselling after becoming violent at a family gathering. Jack held no religious convictions, but the impact on his family life filled him with remorse. As I listened to Jack tell his story in our first session, I wondered what the right words would be. But when our time was up, Jack smiled and said, “There’s something about this place. I feel so much lighter!” Jack sensed it in the staff he met and the atmosphere that characterises the centre. As we continued over the following weeks, Jack mastered the aggression that had troubled him both at work and at home, and when we finished, his employment record (which had previously been unstable because of his aggression) had stabilised and he was rebuilding his family life. Suresh was a young Hindu man whose drug use and financial difficulties led him to us to improve his life skills. In our time together, he shared the difficulties he experienced as a child in a broken home, how he now found it hard to find direction in life and how he enjoyed coming to talk with me. Apart from explaining who ADRA is, we didn’t speak about faith, religion or God. That is until one day he asked me point blank: “Does Christianity make a difference?” I told him that I certainly believed that Jesus does, and on his
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Image: Grace Copoceanu
Talking about God is the last thing some people expect when they come to the ADRA Community Centre in Blacktown. But people meet Him here: some just sense something different; some think they might know what that difference is; and others know. And all without a religious word from anyone. Let me share a few moments.
way out that day he took a Signs of the Times. I haven’t seen Suresh since, but I’m glad to know that, without a word about religion, Suresh had seen enough to wonder and to ask. Mahmoud was a young Muslim man whose marriage had been shaken by several recent crises and had escalated into violence. He repeatedly spoke of the shame that he felt when he considered his actions and the isolation he now felt. Sensing his need for compassion, I assured him that even the best men are capable of the worst failures and that there is always hope after a fall. As in the case of Suresh and Jack, we did not discuss God or religion, but as our session ended, Mahmoud repeatedly requested: “Pray for me”. Perhaps he knew that ADRA was a Christian agency, but did he know that I was a Christian? He almost certainly knew that when I prayed, it would not be to Allah, but like Jack and
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Suresh, Mahmoud had sensed the “something more” that we pray is present in all of our dealings at the centre. I continue to work with Mahmoud. What would prompt a non-believer to acknowledge an intangible atmosphere, a Hindu to ask whether Christianity makes a difference, and a Muslim to repeatedly ask a Christian to pray? Talking about God is something that as a counsellor, I approach with caution. However, when we take God’s heart for troubled or sinful people into a counselling session with us, nothing can stop us from demonstrating Him here.
I know there are others who are doing life on their own like I was, and I encourage you to visit your local ADRA Op Shop and join the close-knit team making a difference in the local community. If I can do it, you can too.
Jennifer volunteers at the ADRA Op Shop in Townsville (QLD)
John is a volunteer counsellor at the ADRA Community Centre in Blacktown (NSW)
I only went out to buy groceries and I avoided talking to people. But after I was encouraged to volunteer at the ADRA Op Shop, I quickly connected with the other ladies who worked there.
Image: Charlene Luzuk
Not long ago, even the thought of leaving my house made me feel uncomfortable. Jennifer (left) happily volunteers at the Op Shop
Within a few weeks, the butterflies stopped, and I started really looking forward to being there. The others giggle when they think back to how I was when I started! I have made some wonderful friends who I love working with and I’m no longer afraid to talk to strangers.
ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers! Share Your Story We love our volunteers and want to profile your stories. Do you have one to share? Email news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
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Bhagwati and her children know what it’s like to have no food or money. They also know that your generosity can be life-changing.
make amazing things happen HELP WOMEN AND CHILDREN OVERCOME ADVERSITY. Please donate before June 30.
adra.org.au/amazing
1800 242 372