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Summer 2012
Melissa never expected to find herself alone in a foreign country.
Melissa, a mother and a wife, risked it all to come to Australia. Her and her husband packed up their lives in South Africa, desperate to start a new life away from the violence of the Johannesburg streets.
26,000 people will die on Christmas day from poverty related causes.
I know this will divide the masses, but I love Christmas. I’m not ashamed of it. My heart flutters when I see Christmas decorations adorning shopping centres, no matter how early in the year. My favourite part? Almost too hard to choose – it’s a draw between Christmas dinner, carols and spending time together with my family celebrating our Saviour’s birth. What’s your favourite? Perhaps it’s receiving gifts or seeing the surprise on the face of someone you love as they open a gift they weren’t expecting. Whatever part of Christmas you love, I can tell you now, someone here in Australia or around the world hasn’t, and isn’t experiencing the joy of it. It’s an uncomfortable thought, but while we stuff our faces with food on Christmas day 26,000 people will die from poverty related causes. That’s 26,000 families who will lose a loved one on the day we are meant to be celebrating together. At the very same time we are surrounded by friends and family, it’s sobering to think that more than 450,000 Australians will spend Christmas alone. Or try digesting the new statistic which shows that one in eight Australians live below the poverty line, and more than 550,000 of these are children. Suddenly, Christmas doesn’t seem like such a celebratory time. Melissa’s* story, which was recently shared by an ADRA Australia project staff member, confirmed this thought.
But what Melissa couldn’t plan for was waking up one morning to find her husband gone. He had deserted her to move back to South Africa and be with his mistress. More than the shame of losing her husband, more than the embarrassment of being a foreigner, the pain Melissa felt most was not being able to provide for her daughters. In the wake of her husband’s treachery, Melissa was left with the uncertainty of not knowing how she would survive financially and emotionally. With no family, no support network, and not qualifying for government assistance, Melissa was truly alone. The bills began to mount, and frustration, anger and desperation rose within. Discouraged after another rejection from Centrelink, Melissa walked the street in despair. By chance she saw a sign that read ‘ADRA’ out of the corner of her eye.
ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY AUSTRALIA
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Celebrating Together
Arriving in Australia, Melissa and her husband were excited - they purchased their own home, filled it with furniture and made plans for where their daughters would go to school.
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Network
Message from the CEO
News The ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries. Recent projects implemented by other ADRA offices within the network include:
ADRA China For people living on the Tibetan Plateau of Western China, it takes several days of harrowing journey on horseback to reach the nearest clinic. ADRA is helping these villagers access medical assistance by training local community health workers in basic and maternal health skills.
ADRA Uganda A growing wave of refugees is flowing across the Uganda-Congo border following the renewed violence in the DRC. ADRA is working with existing refugee camps to provide basics such as blankets, cooking utensils, water purification tablets, as well as providing access to water.
ADRA Madagascar To help prevent and reduce the spread of HIV and AIDs, ADRA is working to improve the local military’s knowledge of HIV and STDs, reduce risky behaviours and increase the military’s use of clinical services to prevent and treat STDs, and HIV and AIDs.
ADRA Kyrgyzstan Managing diabetes can be challenging without the right diet, especially for those in poverty. ADRA is teaching 300 impoverished elderly women how to treat, prevent and manage diabetes with the right food and exercise, as well as providing food parcels and income generation opportunities to help them access nutritious food.
ADRA Sudan Keeping small children healthy takes knowledge. ADRA is providing new mothers and pregnant women with the knowledge and skills to take good care of themselves and their babies through proper feeding techniques, basic hygiene practices, monitoring growth rates and vaccinations.
You’ve probably heard the news – but I’ve recently been elected as the new President of ADRA International – the headquarters of the network that has a presence in more than 120 countries. It’s an exciting opportunity to continue to serve in ADRA’s ministry, and an emphatic compliment to the team at ADRA Australia and you, our committed supporters. My relocation is (at least for now) the last in a series of movements in the office – which seems to happen from time to time in any organisation. Saying ‘farewell’ is always hard, but as I think back over what our agency has achieved, and the lives that have been impacted, I can’t help but smile. Here’s a quick update on where our staff are headed: Husband and wife team Chris Olafson, former Director of Emergency Management and Marilyn Mackay, a co-ordinator in our National Program have retired into the grey-nomadic life after more than a decade of service. Denison Grellmann, a highly valued manager of a number of our international projects, was called to serve as a senior program manager with ADRA International. Ashleigh Plimmer, who has co-ordinated many international emergency responses, is soon moving to East Timor. And most recently, Matthew Siliga, the Director of our Public and Supporter Relations department has been called to take over leadership of ADRA New Zealand as their CEO. Chris, Marilyn, Denison, Ash and Matt have contributed so much to our work, the team and this ministry. I would like to publicly thank them for everything they have done and pray God’s blessing on them as they move into these new and exciting phases of life. Last month we put the final seal on our annual report (which I would encourage you to view online or call for a hard-copy). It reminded me of the hundreds of thousands of lives your support has changed, and the ways in which God is continuing to bless this ministry. The simple fact is – more lives than ever have been changed because of your generosity of time, spirit, prayer and money towards this ministry. Thank you! 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 / Alex Marek | Senior Management Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Duffy / Chief Financial Officer Melville Simonsz / Director of International Program Chris Jensen / Director of Program Effectiveness and Planning 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 / John Bagnall
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Progress Overseas - International Program ‘Noodles with vitamins in them’ Women’s groups in Rovieng District, Cambodia are excited by the prospect of increased family incomes and improved nutrition and health thanks to ADRA’s partnership with Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing. The project, which has involved research by Sanitarium food scientists, will see the women’s groups producing and selling fortified noodles. “They’re often described by those involved in the project as ‘noodles with vitamins in them, healthy noodles’,” said Matthew Siliga, Director of Public and Supporter Relations, who recently visited the women’s groups. “The greatest thing about these healthier noodles is that they do not come at an extra cost. It’s not just value for money – it’s better health too!” Working through the groups already established by ADRA, the women will sell the noodles at local marketplaces. The money they earn will not only increase household income, but will also be put towards their savings club to fund other community services. Thanks to your support and Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing, ADRA is bringing innovative change to Cambodia.
Workshop boosts capacity It’s an annual clash of cultures that turns heads wherever it goes. Travelling from across the globe, this year saw 38 staff from ADRA Australia’s 17 partner offices meet in rural Cambodia for a week of learning in what is known as the ‘Capacity Building Workshop’. “It sounds incredibly boring,” said Chris Jensen, Director of International Programs. “But the workshops are a very meaningful and impactful part of our program. Every year, our partner ADRA offices become more effective, efficient and sustainable. The workshop is just another way we can contribute to changing lives around the world.” This year the workshop, which is funded by AusAID, the Australian government’s aid program, focused on assisting partner offices to better understand and apply practical tools to
assess ‘cross-cutting’ issues affecting their projects - including gender, environmental protection and disability inclusiveness. With a mix of time spent indoors learning, and time out in the field, all participants left inspired and empowered to continue changing lives back home. And needless to say, the mix of African, Asian, Pacific and Caucasian faces caused a stir in the rural communities they visited.
an orphaned niece. Her family would eat just one meal a day. But in 2006 she saw others in her community growing their fields and incomes. “ADRA is helping us,” they said.
Fields of dreams As we entered Maria’s community, thatched roofs, once covering mud-hut homes lay strewn on soggy ground. House, gardens, lives had been destroyed by an overnight torrent. We met Maria outside her home in Mfuwe, Zambia – thankfully it still stood. But her fields of maize, cotton and ground nuts, had been washed away, and with it her dreams of opening a small store. At least for now. Widowed almost a decade ago, Maria was left to care for her blind mother, two adult children with HIV, four grandchildren and
Maria began to use the hammer mill ADRA had installed in the community - no longer did she have to pound the maize into flour by hand. It saved time and energy. Soon, she was growing enough maize to eat three meals a day, to store for the lean season and to begin selling. And thanks to the treadle pump that ADRA had also provided her fields grew six-fold. Today, Maria is buying flour and growing a small bread-making business. It’s just the beginning of her dream to open a shop. “The profits from this harvest would have been enough to start our shop, but it will happen. I pray it will happen,” she said as we walked through fields flattened the night before. Thanks to you, thousands of people just like Maria have been empowered to realize a brighter future! Communications Coordinator, Braden Blyde, recently visited ADRA projects in Zambia.
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Feature Continued from page 1
As she walked into the doors she knew she had found something special. The staff and volunteers at the ADRA Community Centre cared for her physical needs, they provided food parcels at times when she It was almost by chance that could not afford to Melissa came across a local eat, and connected ADRA Centre – but it turned her with a supportive local church network, her life around. who through the ADRA Community Centre, helped with rent assistance. The staff at the ADRA Community Centre also cared for her emotional needs and provided a network of care Melissa could rely on.
Their efforts were touches of Jesus’ hands and feet when Melissa needed them the most. The ADRA Community Centre gave Melissa life – they allowed her to keep her family together. Their efforts were touches of Jesus’ hands and feet when Melissa needed them the most. During this silly season, a time when we remember that God lived and continues to live amongst us, we should also remember that His ministry continues, and that we have the chance to right wrongs, to spread peace on earth and goodwill to men. Christmas is the time to reach out to those, like Melissa, who are alone, who need encouragement, who deserve to be shown Christ’s love during a season centred on Him. I love Christmas. There’s no denying or escaping that. But what I love more, is celebrating Jesus’ birth while remembering His ministry. I challenge you to do the same. This Christmas you have the chance to celebrate Christ’s life and ministry by giving life to those who need it most. Your support of our Christmas Appeal will help us raise $350,000 to extend our ministry at home and overseas. Donations to our Christmas Appeal can be made at www.adra.org.au or by calling 1800 242 372. You can also purchase life-giving gifts this Christmas through our Give Life Christmas Tree program. All purchases, whether made in your church, school or workplace, or via our online catalogue will be recognised by a gift tag. You can either keep it or pass it on as a meaningful present to someone you love. For more information or to purchase a gift online visit www.adra.org.au Carrie Unser is Communication Officer for ADRA Australia. *Name changed to protect privacy.
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Progress At Home – National Program Driving the way to success! John Mugabashaka is buzzing and he’s just spent his Sunday working. Not that he minds. He’s passionate about being part of ADRA’s immigrant settlement program in South Australia. “I spent the day with six Bhutanese,” he smiles. John leads an ADRA program in South Australia which supports migrants learning to drive in Australia. Rather than compound dependency through food handouts, the project is meeting migrant’s needs in a strategic way. By matching ethnic drivers with new migrants, it means they can more easily learn how to drive and become confident. And by learning to drive they are now able to apply for jobs and access more social support services.
“We target young people who live alone, single mothers, and women,” says John. “More than anything, being able to drive means being able to approach jobs.” Local ethnic community leaders are now contacting John, seeking out this unique project. So far, John has assisted Burmese, Burundians, Congoloese, Liberians and Rwandans – and he hopes this will grow! Apart from having a very positive effect on the integration process for immigrants, it also empowers migrants and gives them the confidence that they can achieve something, says John. “The impact is very huge,” he says. And we believe him. With dreams of helping 40 more people before the end of the year, John seems just as excited about this program as we are!
Church engagement growing If we told you that over 40 per cent of Adventist churches within Australia are running projects in their communities as part of ADRA’s ministry, would you believe us? Well, we’re so pleased to say ‘IT’S TRUE!’ More and more churches are witnessing the life-changing effects that running an ADRA project makes in their own backyard. Through youth, crisis relief, social inclusion and women’s programs, Adventist congregations are reaching out into their communities and offering support to those who are doing it tough. “It’s exciting to see the Adventist church extending Christ’s ministry of compassion in such tangible ways,” said Rita Karraz, Director of National Programs. “A big thanks to all the churches and volunteers who put this ministry into action. ADRA only exists because of you.” If you would like more information about our work, or would like more information on how to be involved in your own ADRA project, please call our office on 1800 24 ADRA or email adra.info@adra.org.au.
Hope and health in the heartland
time. Unsurprisingly, those in remote communities have significantly worse nutrition than the wider Australian population.
Community health and nutrition education has been brought deep into Australia’s heartland thanks to ADRA’s partnership with Mamarapha College and the inspired participants of the Indigenous Health and Lifestyle program.
Students like Colleen Roberts are seeing dramatic change in their families and communities as a result of the information, skills and confidence they have gained as part of the course.
The health issues facing Australia’s indigenous population are well known – almost 1 in 8 will face long-term heart conditions and they’re close to 50% more likely to develop cancer during their life
think
about it
“As a kid it wasn’t unusual for us all to go hungry,” she said. “We never ate well, and I watched my sister die because of what she ate and drank.”
“The hospital is filling up with our people, the next stop is the graveyard,” Colleen said. “But thanks to the course I look at Almost a quarter of all Australian food differently – it’s change households are single person households. ABS 2011
the way me and my family eat.” Colleen has also been running cooking and exercise programs in the community. The results? People are eating more fruit and vegetables and in much better health. Your support is helping ADRA make an impact in the lives of hundreds of indigenous Australians – thank you! For more of Colleen’s story check ADRA Australia’s blog at www.adra.org.au
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You Did It!
Thanks for Getting Involved NotONE but three outings for interactive exhibit
To the 1,000+ who have stepped into the world of our beneficiaries – thank you so much for experiencing it and supporting our ministry! This year, we shared stories from both Australia and Kenya, and people were moved by what they saw, heard and touched. A huge thank you to the volunteers who helped pull our exhibit together – Sharon Duncan, from NSW who volunteered her time to sew curtains and wall coverings; and Jonasz Marek, from SA, who volunteered his time to help with the design of the exhibit. Your help was much needed and appreciated! While at South Queensland Big Camp, the ADRA team also had a
Photo: Caleb Loeken
Our NotONE interactive exhibit has been busy – traveling from Wahroonga to Avondale College and then onto South Queensland Big Camp within a month!
lot of fun in the Teen Tent where we challenged the teens to create posters along the theme of ‘ending world hunger’. These posters will be used during the South Pacific Division’s World Changers Youth Congress, where ADRA is organising a social justice march through Brisbane’s CBD. The teens got seriously creative and created some incredible posters. Thank you to all those teens who took part – you’ve created something special! We can’t wait to show off your artistic skill.
Celebrating Christmas together Watch out – we’re about to enter a very silly season! As Christmas and the onslaught of present buying, decorating and excess hits us, it’s timely to remember the reason for the season and think of those still battling poverty and injustice, even in our own backyard. Last year, over 80 families, churches and organisations took part in a special Christmas – one centred on Christ’s ministry of compassion – to help raise more than $300,000 to continue ADRA’s life-changing work around the world. If you want to do the same, why not set up your very own ADRA Christmas Tree? You can hang lifesaving gifts on it and encourage your friends and family to purchase these and support our ministry. Want to take part? It’s easy! We’ll send you a pack, including: gift tags, promotion ideas, and instructions. Register online at www.adra.org.au, via email adra.info@adra.org.au or give us a call on 1800 24 ADRA.
Hundreds connected in service The first year of ADRA Connections has been a roaring success! Eight teams have already ventured overseas, sacrificing family holidays, schoolies trips and university breaks to serve those in need. In just the last six months we have had teams visit Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Fiji, Nepal and Vanuatu, building toilets, shelters, schools and even protective fences – all leaving a lasting imprint on the lives of thousands across the world. And it doesn’t end there – in the next 12 months we have another 18 groups signed up for an ADRA Connections adventure – heading to places including East Timor and Tanzania – the possibilities are (almost!) endless. If you want to be part of bringing an ADRA project to life, ADRA Connections is for you! For more information head to www.adra.org.au/connections or call 1800 24 ADRA.
Did you know? • Almost $150,000 has already been raised by the teams to help continue ADRA’s lifechanging work around the world. • More than 100 people have served on ADRA Connections trips – the youngest six-years-old, the oldest almost 60!
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All in the family At the Micah Challenge Voices for Justice event in Canberra this September, you couldn’t miss the significance of ‘family’. Participants included; • a family of five who had travelled from Tasmania to make known their concerns for the world’s poor; • a ‘family’ of five supporters and friends of ADRA also keen to speak out for others; • the ‘family’ of ten or so tight-knit, multi-ethnic Year 10 students from a Cabramatta state school enthusiastic to engage with politicians and give their voice on behalf of those less fortunate; • and, the larger Voices ‘family’ – some 280 Christians learning, worshipping and advocating for others whom they do not know personally.
Stories from the street John Finey, from Tahmoor Church, NSW, has been faithfully collecting door-to-door since 1966. “I was the first cab off the rank,” he says proudly, and he’s been collecting ever since. From Bowral to Liverpool, John approaches businesses, and in just the last three years has collected over $30,000. His approach to door knocking? “If only you will go, He will do the rest.” In South Australia, Maria Rawinski, from College Park Church, was resting one afternoon because she felt too tired to go out collecting. And that’s understandable considering Maria is 84 years old! But she felt God prompted her to go collect, and within two days had collected more than $550! Altogether, Maria has now personally collected almost $2,000. What an incredible effort! Also in South Australia, Tim, Nonu and Aryn, from Mt Barker Family Church, decided to do something a little different one Friday night. They decided to go ADRA Appeal collecting at the businesses and restaurants across the Hills District. In one and a half hours they collected $237!
What a commitment to justice – in energy, time and personal cost! But all these family members continue to take seriously the Biblical call to justice:
Thank you so much to all the faithful coordinators, collectors and volunteers who took part in this year’s ADRA Appeal. You are a vital part of ADRA’s life-changing work here in Australia and around the world.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8, 9, NIV. (see also Ps 82:3, 4, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8).
New donors growing hope
Imagine the impact if all the members of the ADRA family of supporters and donors made a commitment to pray for, and advocate on behalf of, the world’s poorest! After all, as Christians do we not believe the family of God includes ‘the least of these’ - how can we remain silent while so many of our family endure abject poverty?
Supporting our ministry every month is a huge commitment, so we want to say how much we appreciate the 58 new Hope Nation donors who signed up since September! The impact you will have is widespread and lifesaving.
See www.micahchallenge.org.au/ finish-the-race ADRA Australia is a member of the Micah Challenge – a coalition of Christian aid agencies which advocates for the world’s poor.
Last month, we asked those who felt called to support our ministry on a regular basis to join our Hope Nation program.
Combined, these new donors increase our project funds by more than $30,000 a year. This will enable us to train additional teachers in Papua New Guinea, reduce childhood malnutrition in Indonesia and prevent food shortages for communities in Malawi. For more information about our Hope Nation program, please don’t hesitate to contact our office on 1800 24 ADRA or send us an email, adra.info@adra.org.au.
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 Point to Pinnacle
TAS – Nov 18 (www.pointtopinnacle.com.au)
I London to Paris
16-21 July 2013 (www.adra.org.au)
I Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival QLD – 15-17 March 2013
think
about it
450,000 people will spend Christmas alone. McCrindle research
I Australian Running Festival
ACT – 13-14 April 2013 (www.runningfestival.com.au)
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l
s d i k A R D A Hi Young Aussies…
Are you looking forward to Christmas? I am!
I can’t wait for the presents, to spend time with my family, and for the time off school. And with only six weeks to go, it’s just around the corner. It’s so exciting! But I haven’t done my Christmas Wish list yet. Time to get cracking! Have you done yours? Some of my friends from Asia, Africa and Australia have already started theirs, but their Christmas lists are a bit different. They include seeds, chickens and meals. Those are some unusual gifts, but they will let my friends have enough to eat. You can use the list on the right to come up with gifts that you’d like to get this Christmas, or ones that you’d like to share with other children around the world.
See www.adra.org.au for more gifts to share.
For the Armchair Traveller… Luxury or life saving? Most of us only use outdoor showers during relaxing stays in resorts or at holiday homes. But this ‘water-stand’ in Vanuatu is more life saving than it is luxurious. Before ADRA installed gravity fed water systems, which feed clean water from high in the mountains, water borne disease was rife in these communities. The reason: communities and cattle up-stream use creeks to wash and defecate. Now, the kilometres of pipe, and these water stands, placed in positions decided on by the community, are bringing clean water and improved health.
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