ADRAnews Winter 2015

ADRA NEWS

Winter 2015

Shine Your Light As a result Bopha Sun never learnt to read or write and her lack of self-confidence prevented her from gaining the vital life-skills she needed to make the most of her future.

Then when she had her own family and land to look after, Bopha Sun and her husband struggled to provide enough food and money to support them for the whole year.

During the dry season her husband would

migrate to Thailand to find work and help supplement their income, but this wasn’t enough to sustain the family.

When things got desperate, Bopha Sun would borrow money from local loan sharks just to plant rice. The changing climate would then dictate whether she would be able to pay back the money or fall further into debt.

“Sometimes when harvest was bad due to little rain I did not have enough to pay back the loan or buy food for the children,” Bopha Sun said.

It was the promise of improved rice yields that encouraged Bopha Sun to become involved with ADRA’s ALIVE project. The project, which utilises

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Bopha Sun grew up in a traditional farming community in Cambodia. When she was just 10 years old, her mother fell ill and Bopha Sun was forced out of school, never having the opportunity to return.

Message from the CEO It’s hard to believe the year is already half over.

Two major disasters in Vanuatu and Nepal, a full review of our work in Australia, and the ever present task of working out how to do more with less means that time has seemingly rushed by here at ADRA Australia.

Fortunately, handling all of this is one of the things we do best. We have dedicated staff and volunteers who step up to the hard tasks and make sure that assistance is available for those who need it. And we have generous supporters who dig deep and find a way to make just one more donation that will transform someone’s life forever.

I recently had the opportunity to spend a week in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea visiting the Church Partnership Program (CPP). I was there to represent ADRA Australia at the program’s annual forum where representatives from all the stakeholders gather. As it turned out I was there to be blessed and to have the opportunity of blessing others.

talk about often enough. It has been running now for ten years and is poised to run for at least another five. According to Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG it is one of the most effective and valued partnerships that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports. In the coming twelve months, that support for ADRA’s work will be around $1.5 million. All of these funds will be used to support the health, education, gender, and leadership programs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

By working together through the CPP we have already transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people, and I truly believe that we have only tapped a fraction of its potential. I came away from PNG greatly encouraged that the leaders of seven churches (representing something like 85% of the country’s population) were united in a determination to dedicate the next five years of the program to addressing inequality and gender-based-violence in a sustained nation-wide campaign.

When amazing things like this are happening it’s a blessing if things move quickly.

The CPP is a part of ADRA’s work that we don’t

Contact Us

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T: 02 9489 5488 1800 24 ADRA (2372) E: adra.info@adra.org.au www.adra.org.au www.facebook.com/ADRAAustralia

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Mark Webster

Chief Executive Officer ADRA Australia

Editor Josh Dye Contributors Mark Webster Aleksandra Ewing Andrew Abdelmassih Ruth Rawson Michelle O’Sullivan

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Disaster Updates The recent natural disasters to hit Vanuatu and Nepal have caused devastating damage across both countries. It will take years – decades – to rebuild.

Nepal

Vanuatu It was the worst storm to hit the Pacific in living memory. Cyclone Pam gave plenty of warning, but still produced catastrophic results. Winds of up to 300km/h lashed the country, destroying almost everything.

In the immediate aftermath, ADRA was there providing food parcels, shelter kits and water filtration kits. These supplies were already prepositioned in warehouses across the country for immediate distribution after a disaster.ADRA Australia raised close to $500,000 for Vanuatu, with the money funding the emergency response actions, plus longer-term rebuilding.

Thousands of families received these vital supplies, thanks to your generous donations.

While Vanuatu is no longer making headlines, there’s so much to be done. As ADRA’s work shifts from response to recovery, the focus will be on long-term development and rebuilding even better than before.

While the details of further planning are still to be determined, some of the funds will be spent to improve the response capability to deal with future disasters.

Throughout the crisis, one thing stood out: people’s resilience and hope. Within hours of the storm passing, locals were picking up the pieces and rebuilding their lives. Thank you once again for your support in helping ADRA respond, and providing opportunities for people to thrive.

Following shortly after the devastation in Vanuatu, the earthquakes that rocked Nepal were the worst disasters to ever hit the Himalayan nation. The death toll, above 8,600 at the time of publication, surpasses the previous number of casualties in the 1934 earthquake.

ADRA launched a global response and deployed an emergency response team from countries across our network including the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway and New Zealand.

Beryl Hartmann, ADRA Australia’s Humanitarian Program Officer, was deployed to Nepal for three weeks to lead the planning response.

ADRA Australia has fundraised more than $280,000 for Nepal so far. This has contributed to 30,000 people from 5000 households across seven districts receiving vital assistance.

This consisted of 1000 food packages – enough to feed a family of six for two weeks – 1000 shelter kits, 3000 tarpaulins, seven mobile medical tents, and water and sanitation activities in ten schools.

Planning is currently underway for further recovery and rebuilding programs to help the people of Nepal back on their feet.

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“There has been a big difference in my life. Before I could not read and write, and now I can… I feel very confident I can do anything I want to do!”

– Bopha Sun

FROM PAGE 1

Watch Bopha Sun’s incredible story at adra.org.au/shine trained community volunteers, is providing agricultural, business and lifestyle knowledge to people like Bopha Sun, to help them increase their production and family incomes.

“My dream is for my children to finish their education and find a good job. I work very hard in the field to make this possible for them,” Bopha Sun said.

After participating in the project, Bopha Sun has learnt to read and write, doubled her rice yield and now earns enough money to support her family and send her kids to school.

While this might be a dream for Bopha Sun, we can help make it a reality. By shining your light and helping ADRA raise $972,000 this end-offinancial year, we can provide a better future for people like Bopha Sun—helping them to realise their potential and thrive.

“There has been a big difference in my life,” Bopha Sun said. “Before I could not read and write, and now I can. Before I was afraid to go to the market and grow my business, but now I have the confidence to sell my rice… I feel very confident I can do anything I want to do!”

Recognising Bopha Sun’s commitment and perseverance in applying her new-found skills, ADRA staff recommended her for a local rice farming competition where she won fourth place among hundreds of entries.

In Cambodia alone, where Bopha Sun lives, more than 45 percent of people are still living below the poverty line, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, sanitation and water facilities. While Bopha Sun is one of the lucky ones, thousands continue to struggle. By making a commitment today we can change this.

“I’m so excited. I won a machine that helps me plant my seeds,” Bopha Sun said.

Bopha Sun’s life is now much easier, but she still works hard to ensure that her children don’t have to face the challenges she once had to endure.

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By shining your light this end-offinancial year, you can help provide a better future for thousands of people in Australia and overseas. Call 1800 242 372 or visit adra.org.au/shine

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Development Education

Why Cash Is Best

Cyclone Pam ravishes Vanuatu.

Huge earthquakes shake Nepal.

The needs are great, the resources scarce. So why won’t ADRA accept your donated goods?

While most people give generous gifts of money, we get a lot of calls and emails asking if ADRA can facilitate the transfer of blankets, food parcels, medicine and nappies.

Unfortunately, we can’t accept physical goods (called ‘gifts-in-kind’) in responding to a disaster.

Why? Good question.

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Here are three reasons why cash is best:*

Cost: The costs associated with transport, storage and distribution of gifts in kind often outweigh the benefit of the goods provided. Transporting food and other goods to disaster affected areas can often take weeks, and in many cases may arrive too late to meet immediate needs. These goods may also

clog up supply routes and warehouses and prevent life-saving supplies in getting through to affected countries.

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Culture: It is important to ensure that goods provided are culturally appropriate for affected communities. There are instances of jeans being sent to Darfur, where people do not wear trousers or culturally inappropriate food (such as bacon or cheeses) being provided after an emergency, which may be at odds with dietary practices or culturally offensive. Cash donations allow aid workers to ensure that goods are culturally, dietary and environmentally appropriate.

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Economy: Gifts-in-kind may distort local economies, which often struggle to recover after a crisis. Goods that are provided free of cost often force down the price of locally produced items, thus distorting the local market. Sourcing goods locally can both stimulate local economies and provide for immediate needs.

*Source: ACFID www.acfid.asn.au/resources-publications/files/overseas-emergencies-and-public-donations

What is your will for the future?

A gift left to ADRA Australia in your Will can have a lasting and transformational impact on the lives of future generations.

If you would like your values to live on and provide a blessing into the future, please get in touch and we will send you information on how to ensure your Will reflects your will for a brighter future. Call 1800 242 372 or email adra.info@adra.org.au

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International Program - Highlights Community Initiative for Syrian Children to Access Education (CISCAE) With the civil war in Syria still ongoing, thousands of children and families remain in limbo in neighbouring countries like Lebanon and Jordan.

The main component of this project is to provide Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP) and remedial classes to Syrian children, as well as tutoring sessions for children who are already in school but need extra support. The project also offers psychosocial support to the children and community activities to the host community and refugees.

A total of 59 students between the ages of six and 12 years are attending the morning session of the ALP and 23 students are attending the afternoon session. In addition, 28 students are currently attending remedial classes. The total

number of Syrian Refugee children attending the CISCAE School is 110.

The project celebrated Teacher’s Day in March.

All CISCAE teachers were treated to lunch and a small gift to show appreciation for their hard work and commitment.

Aid Cuts Cuts to foreign aid in the federal government budget will have a tangible impact on people in developing countries.

decision to cut foreign aid means tens of thousands of people will miss out on life-saving and life-changing services.”

ADRA Australia CEO Mark Webster said: “Foreign aid is vital to lifting people out of poverty and creating opportunities for people to thrive. The

Foreign aid has now been cut to its lowest levels in Australian history, and will account for less than one percent of government expenditure.

Think About It Australia accepts just 13,750 refugees each year, while Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey have taken more than three million Syrian refugees since 2011.

Source: UNHCR

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Church Partnership Program

Luis* is 28-years-old and grew up in Kagua village in the Southern Highlands province in PNG. After finishing high school, he received no offers for employment; being unemployed was a major challenge.

In 2013 the Youth Skill Development Training that was conducted by ADRA PNG and the Seventhday Adventist church provided hope for him to develop his skills to be someone resourceful in future.

He attended a one-week skill training on small engines and learned about compressors, spark plugs and filtering processes. Shortly after, he started practicing what he had learned by completing small repair jobs, such as fixing an old generator and an old grass cutter for a local church, and fixing lawnmowers for a sports foundation.

“The training has been of great value to me because I now have a future,” Luis said. His dream is to continue with these skills by venturing into a

higher technical education or furthering studies on mechanics in the coming years.

The Church Partnership Program (CPP) in PNG is one of ADRA’s biggest projects and receives significant federal government funding. The CPP works to boost the capacity of church groups in PNG to contribute to development projects and social stability, improve the services they offer to the community, including in health and education, and enhance their involvement in improving public sector governance and management.

This project is 100 per cent funded by the Australian government, in recognition of ADRA’s effectiveness in partnering with the SDA church to implement development projects.

In 2015 this project celebrated its eleventh year, and has so far benefitted many thousands of people, particularly in rural and remote areas of PNG.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

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National Program - Highlights Phillip Island Excursion As we arrived at our first stop, Cape Woolamai, the rain stopped and we walked along the beach, taking many jumping photos. As the day proceeded, it rained while we were on the buses and stopped as we arrived at the next destination, with the sun even coming out on occasion. Most of the participants had never been to Phillip Island – some had never seen waves.

In April, ADRA representatives and volunteers took 37 Burmese refugees to visit Phillip Island. Andrew Abdelmassih reports.

Waking up on Sunday morning to the sound of rain is never good when you are going on an excursion. I was excited, although nervous.

Would I do a good job representing ADRA and interacting with all the refugee families?

Volunteers were introduced to the newly-settled refugees, we prayed together and then all 53 of us jumped into two buses and a car and set off in convoy.

We all brought food to share for lunch and there was so much of it. We ate some of the lovely local food of Myanmar such as sticky rice and fried rice as well as enjoying local hot chips. You can’t go to the beach and not have chips!

Often people want to help but don’t know how to, so this was a really good way. What is the cost? Fuel, food, time, effort…

But seeing the faces of the children and parents and hearing an elderly lady say in broken English that she is happy? Priceless.

ADRA operates support projects for refugees and new migrants, including providing driving lessons.

NSW Floods The heaviest rainfalls in Sydney and the Hunter region for a generation caused severe flooding to parts of the state.

15 ADRA volunteers spent 114 hours responding by organising emergency accommodation for 127 flood-affected victims. The volunteers helped source accommodation from motels and hotels to ensure victims had somewhere safe and warm to sleep. Thank you so much for your efforts!

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Rescued From the Flames ADRA’s Albury Op Shop was recently saved from fire, thanks to the quick actions of a passer-by and the local fire brigade.

An on looker dialled 000 and within minutes the fire brigade arrived, quickly moving the table from the building and drenching the flames. The fire brigade spokesman said that the whole building could have been destroyed within minutes. Many thanks are extended to the anonymous caller.

Albury police inspector Scott Russell said: “It’s obviously just wanton vandalism that could have resulted in major damage to the building.”

Two TV stations and the Border Mail newspaper

Photo: Border Mail

One Monday evening in early May, arsonists allegedly lit a fire on a table in front of the popular second-hand store. As the flames rose, the culprits ran off, leaving the shop only minutes from destruction.

all covered the story. Since then ADRA Op Shop has been inundated with needed donations. The store’s presence has also been widely advertised in the community, allowing more people in need to know its whereabouts.

Thanks be to God for the positive outcome to such a potentially disastrous situation.

Ruth Rawson is manager of ADRA's Op Shop in Albury.

Adventist Churches Grant Wishes at Christmas Thanks to 58 Adventist churches, as well as support from schools, families and individuals across Australia, more than $74,000 was raised for people in poverty and hardship through ADRA’s 2014 Christmas Tree initiative.

classes for the disabled in Africa, 49 hygiene packs for Australians in crisis, 48 wheelbarrows for Zambian farmers, 34 Christmas hampers for Australian’s doing it tough, 32 water wells for poor communities in Asia and over 576 other gifts.

The granted gifts include more than 200 chickens for families in the Pacific and Africa, 181 water filters for Cambodian families, 141 school lunches for Syrian refugee children, 110 seed loans for farmers in Asia, 107 educational resources for women in PNG, 61 prescription glasses for albino children, 54 tinsmith training

These gifts provide support for the projects through which these gifts are granted, enabling ADRA to help people in Australia and overseas to realise their potential and thrive.

What an amazing effort! Thank you for being part of a very meaningful Christmas.

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Volunteers

With the recent National Volunteer Week in May, we want to say a special thanks to all those who give freely of their time and energy to support our activities and projects in Australia.

ADRA wouldn’t be able to provide the same level of support without you.

Louise’s Story One Friday afternoon recently I was shopping at Woolworths when a lady in her sixties came up to me and gave me a big hug.

I was wearing my ADRA uniform, which she recognised. The lady, whom I’ll call Louise, shared a story of gratitude.

Louise told me how her daughter was in a domestic violence situation about a year ago and had to flee her home in Melbourne. She escaped with nothing except the clothes on her back, and her two young children – a girl and a boy. Youth and Family Services referred Louise and her daughter to our ADRA Community Centre in Logan for help with clothing, food, furniture and other items. This was about a year ago.

Louise shared her gratefulness of how ADRA helped. It was her grandson’s birthday the day they came and the staff at ADRA gave him chocolates, chips and even some toys. Louise was blown away.

She told me she knows this is probably just a job to us but thanked us for saving people’s lives.

I explained to her that our centre is staffed by volunteers who are there to serve the people of Logan. Louise said she knows that without ADRA’s help her daughter would be in a bad way and could have ended up doing something to herself and her children. She said that her daughter was desperately unhappy and depressed.

Louise asked me to pass on her gratitude for the help she and her daughter received. Without it she doesn’t know where her daughter would be.

Her daughter and grandchildren are now doing really well.

Michelle O’Sullivan is assistant manager at ADRA's Community Centre in Logan, Queensland.

Share Your Story We love our volunteers and want to profile your stories.

Do you have one to share? Email news@adra.org.au

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Get Involved Le Tour de… Warrnambool?

Photo: Michelle Abel

Volunteers Needed

It’s not quite the French version, but this grand cycling tour is one not to miss.

The Great Ocean Road adventure in 2016 promises to be the best one yet.

Winding from Geelong to Warrnambool over three glorious summer days (31 Jan – 2 Feb), you will cover almost 300km, taking in breathtaking views of the world-famous Twelve Apostles.

There are three groups – fast, medium and not-so-fast – to cater for all fitness levels.

Best of all, by participating you will help fundraise for ADRA to support communities overseas escape poverty.

So schedule some annual leave, pull on the lycra and start training.

Pedal on over to www.25000spins.com to find out more and sign up.

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Did You Know?

It costs $300,000 per year just to maintain ADRA’s ongoing emergency management program in Australia.

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“Being involved with ADRA’s Emergency Management (EM) team has been a great way to network with other Christians and the local community. Those affected remember who assisted them when a crisis has impacted their lives” – Janice Frey, EM volunteer

Becoming a trained ADRA Emergency Management (EM) volunteer is a great way to serve the community in times of disaster.

Training is required for all volunteers before local deployment can occur.

If you are over 18 and would like to help others please contact Kevin Munro (EM Manager) at kevinmunro@adra.org.au To donate to ADRA’s EM activities in Australia, go to adra.org.au or call 1800 242 372.

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so tha thatt toggether we can light up the world.

ADRA A DRA Australia Australia believes believes a all ll p people eople were were created created iin n the the image image of of God God to to d do oa amazing mazing tthings. hings.

We W eb bring ring p people eople tto ogether o gether tto oc create reate a better better world world and and h help elp o others thers tthrive. hrive.

Jacinta - ADRA Project Partic cipant Shining her light in Brisbane e

Shine S hine you yyour llight ight at

adra.org.au

1800 242 372