ADRAnews Spring 2012

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Spring 2012

Esta no longer worries about her children dying from preventable diseases.

Matson is one of these people. He is a natural leader, tall and athletic, and when he talks to the other young men about HIV, the disease that spreads like an evil spirit, they listen. Matson has been trained by ADRA as a volunteer HIV peer educator. He works alone, walking from community to community with his kit of posters, games and other resources.

Three years ago Esta held her five-year-old daughter as she died – her skin was cold and clammy, fever ravaging her young body.

Malaria, a preventable yet deadly disease had taken another child. ‘If only we had a health clinic closer,’ Esta thought through her tears. It takes a strong man two days to reach the nearest clinic in the mountainous highlands, too far for a woman and sick child.

More than 40% of the population lives in poverty, and while Australia ranks at a world-topping 2 in the UNDP development index, PNG sits at 124 – in the bottom 10% of countries worldwide.

Today, Esta holds her four-year-old son in her arms; the malaria virus flows through his veins too. But she knows he will survive. ADRA’s Flying Clinic has arrived and treated him with anti-malaria medication. Plus, they’ve restocked the new community clinic they built with ADRA’s support to ensure no parent has to bury a child because of malaria.

Esta is just one of hundreds of thousands who have been impacted by ADRA’s work in PNG. For more than 10 years ADRA has been empowering communities and changing lives across the country – from the lush highlands to the picturesque coasts and bustling cities.

In fact, ADRA is currently making an impact in every province of the country.

Without your ongoing support this would not have been possible.

Esta lives in Papua New Guinea, Australia’s closest neighbour. Sadly, beyond proximity the similarities are few.

Not only is ADRA changing the lives of individuals, but also empowering others to spread their message of life and hope.

His aim is to undo the misconceptions about sik aids and ensure the correct information about HIV is shared effectively with young people. With the counselling skills he has been taught, he can also support young men when they realise they may have been exposed to HIV and travels with them to the HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre ADRA has established.

By empowering people like Matson, ADRA has been able to change the lives of thousands through HIV and health projects, along with literacy programs using a train-the-trainer model. This method of bringing about sustainable, long-lasting change is built on one core recognition – no one is more committed to making things better than those who desperately need the change.

This kind of commitment is challenging.

Can we match the commitment of people like Matson to make a difference?

Because without this commitment, nothing will change.

ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA

Continued page 4

Who are our neighbours?

ADRA is currently making an impact in every province of PNG.

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Network

Message from the CEO

News

“So much for a ‘paperless’ office.” In front of me sits reams of documentation, policies, evidence, the accumulation of months of work for ADRA’s accreditation.

The ADRA network has a presence in 126 countries around the world!

Recent projects implemented by other ADRA offices include:

AusAID accreditation is the highest standard an Australian international development agency can reach. Over two days, the accreditors inspected the documentation, asked questions and got to know ADRA inside out.

ADRA Myanmar Following devastating floods which have destroyed villages, fields and future income for families in the Hpn-An, Karen State, ADRA has been busy and active distributing emergency food.

ADRA Rwanda Congolese refugees, escaping conflict and violent clashes between government forces and armed militia, have fled into Rwanda.

ADRA has begun installing functional latrines to aid in the improvement of sanitation and hygiene and to prevent the spread of deadly diseases.

ADRA Philippines Continued heavy rainfall has seen Manilla, the capital of the Philippines inundated with flood waters, affecting over 1.9 million people. ADRA is in action distributing food aid – ensuring those who have lost their homes can still survive.

ADRA Brazil North eastern Brazil is suffering through its worst drought in almost 60 years, leaving local farmers, dependent on agriculture without a food or income source. ADRA Brazil is responding through the distribution of equipment and rations to 620 families.

ADRA India ADRA responded to widespread flooding across the Assasm state, which affected over 14 districts and more than 900,000 people. ADRA acted by providing latrines, hygiene kids, while also establishing a cash-for-work program to aid in the long term recovery for the regions affected.

And here’s the good news – ADRA Australia has been recommended for full re-accreditation with AusAID. The accreditors were impressed by our agency and noted, several times, that there was a special feeling about our office and our work – a spirit of generosity and compassion that with the blessings of God flows from you, through our office, and onto the lives that we change every day.

This means ADRA Australia is recognised amongst the top non-government organisations in Australia. As a result, we can access government funds to continue our work around the world. AusAID have endorsed our project design and implementation, financial management and fundraising; they have given the highest praise possible of our staff; but more than that, they have shown they believe in the Adventist Church and this, our ministry of compassion, a concept we are very open about with them.

The government is committed to supporting our ministry. This month is your chance to do the same. With your commitment to our Hope Nation program we have the ability to impact thousands of lives in the long term.

Just 0.5% of your take-home income every month can make a world of difference for those experiencing poverty. This is your chance to make a committed impact in the world. Read more about Hope Nation in the included brochure or visit www.adra.org.au Kind regards,

Jonathan Duffy Chief Executive Officer ADRA Australia

Contact Us:

PO Box 129 (146 Fox Valley Road) Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia

T: 02 9489 5488 E: adra.info@adra.org.au www.adra.org.au 1800 24 ADRA (3272)

www.facebook.com/ADRAAustralia Editor Braden Blyde | Contributors Carrie Unser / Harwood Lockton / Michelle Abel | Senior Management Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Duffy / Chief Financial Officer Melville Simonsz / Director of International Program Chris Jensen / Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Mark Webster / Director of Public and Supporter Relations Matthew Siliga / Director of National Programs Rita Karraz | Board of Directors Chester Stanley (chair) / Jonathan Duffy (secretary) / Eveline Cornell-Tapp / Julie Praestiin / Ken Vogel / Kingsley Wood / Liliana Munoz / Michael Peach / Peter Truscott / Wilf Rath

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Progress Overseas - International Program New Projects Changing Lives

agriculture, literacy and health training.

May and June were busy months here at ADRA Australia. Not only were we in the thick of our Food and Futures Appeal and preparing for AusAID Accreditation (see page 2), but our international programs team were also preparing the plans for new projects starting July 1.

Food for Life – Vanuatu: Sustainable permaculture techniques will allow remote island communities to improve their nutrition and income through increase food production and preserving techniques.

These projects, across Asia, Africa and the South Pacific will impact thousands of lives and continue the development journey for all communities involved.

These new projects include: Wealth in the Soil – Zimbabwe: By training peri-urban farmers in sustainable horticulture practices, ADRA is helping to protect families from changing and unpredictable weather patterns.

Tsogolo Labwino II – Malawi: By strengthening civil society organisations through knowledge and skills, thousands of vulnerable rural households will have access to business,

Veasna’s new life Veasna looks to the forest edge not far from her home in rural Cambodia. Fear no longer rises from the pit of her stomach like it once did. She remembers feeling scared every-time she would cross its threshold, never knowing if the groups of drunken men were around or not.

ADRA’s work in Veasna’s community centred around training community members to build water tanks, wells and latrines, along with piping clean water closer to the village. Now, instead of the twice-daily, one kilometre walk Veasna now has clean water almost literally at her door step.

Now Veasna and her family are living healthier lives

Emergency Management One year from disaster Twelve months ago Martha and her children sat in wait. Starving and malnourished their life of poverty had turned deadly in the wake of the East Africa drought.

Through the heat they waited for rains that would never come; they waited for news from their father and husband who had left in search of work; they waited for help from neighbours and friends. And they prayed that something would change.

Twelve months ago ADRA Australia started making noise about the humanitarian disaster that was beginning to unfold in the Horn of Africa. And we turned to you for support.

Your generosity, and the Australian Government’s dollar for dollar program exceeded our expectations. Thanks to you,

Youth Livelihood Development Project – Fiji: Young people in Naitasiri district will be trained and empowered to improve opportunities for employment or business creation, knowledge and skills in financial management (including personal saving) and to live healthier lives.

For more information about these, and ADRA Australia’s other projects visit www.adra.org.au

thanks to improved hygiene and more productive gardens. Plus with more time and resources, her family has started breeding animals as an additional source of income.

Just as importantly, Veasna now has peace – no longer does she have to worry about going into the forest every day. And with ADRA’s new project focussing on mother and child health she has the assurance her two young boys will grow up healthy and happy.

This story was filed by Andrew Beaden, an ADRA Australia intern currently working with ADRA Cambodia. Thanks Andrew for your passion for making a difference.

Martha and her family have been receiving three meals a day and her husband has returned home. Three hundred other families in the region are also receiving ADRA’s help.

Plus, we have been able to bring clean water and food to tens of thousands across the border in Somalia.

The drought has not broken, but thanks to you thousands like Martha have hope. And as ADRA works to help families re-establish their farms this hope, and their crops, will grow.

Thank you! Your support of our East Africa Appeal has, is and will change lives. For more on ADRA’s Emergency Management work visit www.adra.org.au

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Feature Continued from page 1

For the first time, Elizabeth has a small amount of money she can call her own.

Elizabeth, like the six women around her, has never had her own bank account. They press in, smiling and laughing as she shows them their new deposit book.

They have all been doing their best to care for their families, and what little cash they have is wasted by husbands who can’t find work and spend their days drinking.

No matter how far away they are, every child, mother and father in need is our neighbour.

ADRA’s economic development program has trained these women in financial literacy, vocational skills and helped them develop a small business plan. Elizabeth has learned sewing, soap-making, cooking skills and how to raise chickens. Throughout the training Elizabeth and each of the women contributed whatever they could spare to a savings group. Now they will have the opportunity to receive a small business loan and for the first time, they have their own small amount of money, and together they control how it will be used.

Etsa, Matson and Elizabeth have experienced ADRA’s impact first-hand and are now committed to changing the lives of others around them.

They share our vision of extending ADRA’s ministry further and deeper into their communities.

We too want to grow ADRA’s ministry and we want to match Esta, Matson and Elizabeth’s commitment to changing lives. We’d love you to join us on this journey. Because no matter how far away they are – from the Pacific, Asia or Africa – every child, mother and father in need is our neighbour.

By committing just 0.5% of your monthly take-home income you can help build communities of hope across the South Pacific, Asia and Africa. To join ADRA’s regular giving program Hope Nation, or to simply find out what joining Hope Nation means for you and those in need around the world, please see the enclosed envelope and return it to ADRA Australia. Thousands of people like Esta, Matson and Elizabeth are committed to changing lives and growing hope – are you?

Braden Blyde is ADRA Australia’s Communication Co-ordinator.

But why…?

Can we really end poverty?

Change takes time.

Almost everyone agrees that poverty is not a good thing. Almost everyone would like to end poverty. Almost everyone would benefit from ending poverty. So why don’t we?

The question, in essence, is about time. After all this time, money and effort from governments and organisations the world over, why does poverty still exist?

From a Biblical perspective poverty will always exist (see Matthew 26:11), but at no point is this provided as an excuse for inaction. The truth is, change takes time, and commitment. The trend towards short-term commitments, through projects and actions, is out of step with what we know brings about the most substantial and sustainable change.

ADRA’s work in Papua New Guinea is just one example of this (see page 1). By committing to the country and the communities within it, ADRA has been able to bring about real change in the lives of those we work with. By progressing through literacy projects to vocational education projects and business skills development, ADRA is seeing children live with access to far greater dignity and opportunities than their parents did – which is what development is meant to do.

The irony in most situations is this – those most committed to improving the lives of the poor, are the poor themselves. Their commitment extends into hours of manual labour tilling soil and harvesting sometimes just to survive; journeys of 20kms to collect clean water for cooking, cleaning and drinking; and self-sacrifice that most of us could not fathom.

The challenge for us in the developed world is to match their commitment; to find effective and sustainable development activities that bring about real change – and commit to them. Only then can we really grow hope amongst communities that need it most.

think

about it

PNG has a young population – 40% are under 15.

(Source: United Nations)

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Progress At Home – National Program Bags of joy made ‘Just for You’ Noeleen Mackintosh, and her dedicated team of six ladies serve their local community in a unique way.

Just for You bags are lovingly handcrafted bundles of fun and hope in the midst of pain for kids admitted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, NSW and are part of an ADRA project run by their local churches.

“We have a team of six ladies from Blacktown and Penrith churches who put the bags together,” says Noeleen. “We like to do what we can to help kids, especially those in unhappy circumstances – to let them know in some small way that someone cares about them.”

These precious parcels are delivered to the hospital and are given to children who may be suffering from abuse, been

rushed to hospital, or may be suffering a serious illness and be in need of palliative care.

The bags overflow with soft toys, blankets, activity books, pencils, crayons and personal items like toothbrush, toothpaste and shampoo.

The Just for You bags project is one example of an ADRA project run by local Adventist churches. Just for You is providing support as a crisis relief project, just one of five ways you can serve your local community through an ADRA project. For more information visit www.adra.org.au.

In our own backyard...

discovered Sonshine Sanctuary, an ADRA-supported women’s refuge. From this point, she was surrounded by a network of love and support that grew confidence and hope within her.

Now, Beth has got her life back on track.

Meet Beth*. An ordinary Australian, who’s lived an extraordinary life – and not for reasons you’d expect.

Beth is just one of the hundreds of women ADRA, through our network of women’s refuges, assists every week; and just one of the thousands impacted by our work in Australia.

Adopted at birth, Beth was brought up in an angry home, never experiencing love or kindness. After running away from home as a teenager, and falling into several suffocating and abusive relationships she was drugged, beaten and emotionally broken.

You now have the chance to step into Beth’s life and experience firsthand her struggles and her journey of restoration and hope.

By stepping through the doors of ADRA’s NotONE interactive exhibit you will be immersed in a world of poverty and pain, but ultimately discover how ADRA is bringing hope to the world.

Beth found no help in local authorities or the myriad of women’s refuges she visited. Then, at her absolute lowest, she

Your support of ADRA has changed Beth’s life forever. Thank you!

The second edition of the NotONE exhibit will be debuting in South Queensland Big Camp in September and numerous camps during 2013. Don’t miss it!

*Name changed to protect privacy

Emergency Management QLD EM Conference Queensland is the most disaster prone region in Australia. Each year residents brace for cyclonic winds, flooding and other natural disasters - and ADRA is there to help.

A two-day conference recently held in Brisbane illustrated ADRA’s impact in the area of emergency management in Queensland. Organised and facilitated by ADRA’s Disaster Management State Coordinator for Queensland, Ron Jenkins, the conference brought together staff

and volunteers from agencies including ADRA, the Salvation Army, and St Vincent’s de Paul for training from some of Australia’s leading experts in the field.

The team of ADRA’s volunteer Area Coordinators joined for an additional day, with a vision cast for expanding ADRA’s impact into more regions during the next 12 months.

While we pray disaster does not come to Queensland, we are proud of all our volunteers who are willing to give up time and energy to prepare for, and respond when the time does come.

Live in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT or Western Australia and interested in volunteering with ADRA during times of disaster? Email adra.info@adra.org.au for more information.

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You Did It!

Thanks for Getting Involved The Chicken Project When Geelong Pathfinders decided to buy some chickens for families in Africa and Asia they never imagined it would take wings itself.

‘The project became known as the ‘Chicken Project’ and soon the whole church was involved,” said Pathfinder Deputy Director, Kim Jansen. “The Pathfinders also donated from their own pocket money.”

For a bit of fun people were given naming rights to the chickens they purchased, meaning there were some very creative names under the chicken pictures in the church foyer. The aim of buying 100 chickens was quickly passed – with more than 250 purchased in total.

Thank you Geelong Pathfinders – 250 chickens are now changing lives thanks to you!

Families ‘Connected’ in Vietnam Christina Edser admits that raising $17,000 for their recent ADRA Connections trip to Vietnam was a little daunting, “but God really provided, even through Facebook!”

Christina and her family of five, along with two other families with children aged 6 to 17 recently returned from a three week trip to Vietnam, where they helped construct a boarding house for rural Vietnamese school children.

“It was worse than we imagined,” she said. “They were really nothing more than rundown huts. Coming from Australia you’d never have something like that for children.”

This trip won’t be the last for Christina who came away seeing there is much more to do – in fact, they are going back and have committed to fundraising for not only another boarding house, but a much-needed kitchen as well.

“While we were there, the kids were busy all the time, forming brick lines and things,” said Christina. “And now we are back, they better understand the value of money and what it means to save and to give.”

To discover where ADRA Connections can take you visit www.adra.org.au/connections

Running for more than Fun Teams of runners representing ADRA have raised more than $11,000 during fun runs in Melbourne and Sydney.

On Sunday 15 July, 16 ADRA runners braved blustery conditions to complete the 10km and half-marathon divisions of the annual The Age Run Melbourne fun run. The teams from across Victoria raised money for the conference ADRA Connections trip to Tanzania, Keep Girls Safe in Thailand and JEM girls refuge in Melbourne. In total more than $7,000 was raised.

With the threat of rain and a gale blowing from the south, 37 ADRA runners began the City2Surf in Sydney. Running in what is the world’s largest fun run, the committed ADRA supporters raised more than $4,000 for the counselling and crisis relief work of the ADRA Centre in Blacktown.

think

about it

20% of the population in developed countries consume 86% of the world’s goods. (Source: Global Issues)

To all those running for ADRA – thank you! Your impact is far greater than the pain in your calves. For information about upcoming events visit www.adra.org.au

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Climbing a mountain for ADRA Eighty-four kilometres west of Maryborough, Queensland, 16 Pathfinders, Adventurers and Councillors gathered with water bottles filled and boot laces strapped. They looked sky-ward – their destination? The 703m peak of Mt Walsh.

Together the group had raised more than $400 through sponsorships for their walk – money which they have generously given towards this year’s ADRA Appeal.

“We walked for about four hours,” said Jackie Berry, one of the brave leaders who joined the Sunday afternoon hike. “The track was very steep and not well marked, so even though we didn’t reach the summit a great effort was made by all.”

Maryborough Pathfinders and Adventurers you are an inspiration! Your efforts will make a difference in this year’s ADRA Appeal.

Events to Join Have you got a passion for making the world a better place?

Why not join one of the upcoming events listed below?

I City to Bay – SA – September 16, 2012 (www.city-bay.org.au) I London to Paris – 16-21 July, 2013 (www.adra.org.au) I Canberra Times Fun Run – September 9, 2012 (www.canberratimesfunrun.com.au) I Voices for Justice – September 15-17, 2012 (www.micahchallenge.org.au) I Anti-poverty Week – October 14, 2012 (www.antipovertyweek.org.au)

More than a doorknock Depending on which conference you live in, the ADRA Appeal may have already passed, you may be in the thick of it or your just about to strap on your walking shoes for a Sabbath afternoon collection. Whatever your situation we want to say thanks.

Every year thousands of ADRA supporters knock on doors to share a little bit about our ministry and ask their community for support. But the ADRA Appeal really is more than just a door knock. In a practical sense, collections (with the necessary arrangements) can be done in public places including shopping centres and community events.

But more than that, the ADRA Appeal is the largest fundraiser for ADRA Australia, bringing in more than $1 million every year. Without these funds we wouldn’t be able to impact the thousands of lives that we do each year.

The ADRA Appeal really is more than just knocking on doors – it’s about making the world a better place. Thank you for being part of the ADRA Appeal this year!

Shine the Light Imagine that for every $1 you received, someone stole $10. How would you feel – enraged, beside yourself? Well that’s the situation many poor nations face.

The money they could earn from the export of their natural resources is significantly reduced by tax-dodging mining corporations.

Through mechanisms such as trade mispricing, multinationals are able to arrange their internal selling and buying prices to shift their tax burden from the poor nation to a convenient tax haven somewhere else, thus depriving the poor nation of legitimate tax revenue.

These practices also adversely affect rich nations – Australia alone loses an estimated $41bn in tax revenue. For poor nations more money is lost through this type of tax dodging ($160bn each year) than is received in foreign aid ($120bn each year). Is it legal? – yes. Is it moral? – well, check the story of corrupt Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-9).

Micah Challenge has begun a campaign to ‘shine the light’ on these dark practices. The campaign calls upon the Australian Government to implement similar legislation to that already implemented in the USA, requiring Australian registered extractive industry corporations to report their financial transactions including tax paid on a county by country basis. This would make the process more transparent and open to scrutiny by the citizens of poor countries.

You can add your voice for tax justice at: www.micahchallenge.org.au/ shine-the-light ADRA Australia is a member of the Micah Challenge – a coalition of Christian aid agencies which advocates for the world’s poor.

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l

ADRA kids Hi Young Aussies!

Ever tried to finish a difficult jigsaw puzzle in a hurry? Picking up pieces quickly and praying that they’ll fit, it doesn’t take long for the table to be covered with bits you’ve thrown away in a rush. Take a breath, sit back and take a bit of time. Maybe if you get yourself organised things will come together more quickly.

Hard problems take time to solve. Esta, Matson and Elizabeth know this first hand.

Their problem, poverty, is one of the hardest problems of all. But with ADRA’s help and commitment to their country of Papua New Guinea things are changing. Now, they are each living healthy, happy and hope-filled lives; something that wouldn’t have been possible without commitment and time.

ADRAroo has given a lot of time to helping people in need. Check out this clock - Can you join all the numbers (starting at 1) without crossing over your own line?

For the Armchair Traveller…

A good companion When you’re attempting to feed your family healthy vegetables, but all you can grow them in is the terrible soil of the Gobi desert, you need all the help you can get. Enter native chives.

Beneficiaries of ADRA’s REAP project in Bayankhonger, Mongolia, are using the chives as companion plants to improve the soil in their garden plots. Though they taste a little like garlic, and grow plentifully in the region, they are never used for cooking!

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia Ltd 146 Fox Valley Road (PO Box 129) Wahroonga NSW 2076 1800 24 ADRA | adra.info@adra.org.au | www.adra.org.au