Matson is one of these people. He is anatural leader, tall and athletic, andwhen he talks to the other young menabout HIV, the disease that spreads likean evil spirit, they listen. Matson hasbeen trained by ADRA as a volunteer HIVpeer educator. He works alone, walkingfrom community to community with hiskit of posters, games and other resources.

ADRA is currentlymaking an impact in

every province of PNG.His aim is to undo the misconceptionsabout sik aids and ensure the correctinformation about HIV is sharedeffectively with young people. With thecounselling skills he has been taught, hecan also support young men when theyrealise they may have been exposed toHIV and travels with them to the HIVVoluntary Counselling and Testing CentreADRA has established.

By empowering people like Matson,ADRA has been able to change the livesof thousands through HIV and healthprojects, along with literacy programsusing a train-the-trainer model. Thismethod of bringing about sustainable,long-lasting change is built on one corerecognition – no one is more committedto making things better than those whodesperately need the change.

This kind of commitment is challenging.Can we match the commitment of peoplelike Matson to make a difference?Because without this commitment,nothing will change.

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

Cont

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Spring 2012

A D V E N T I S T D E V E L O P M E N T A N D R E L I E F A G E N C Y A U S T R A L I A

Esta no longer worries abouther children dying frompreventable diseases.

Malaria, a preventable yet deadly diseasehad taken another child. ‘If only we hada health clinic closer,’ Esta thoughtthrough her tears. It takes a strong mantwo days to reach the nearest clinic inthe mountainous highlands, too far for awoman and sick child.

Today, Esta holds her four-year-old son inher arms; the malaria virus flows throughhis veins too. But she knows he willsurvive. ADRA’s Flying Clinic has arrivedand treated him with anti-malariamedication. Plus, they’ve restocked thenew community clinic they built withADRA’s support to ensure no parent hasto bury a child because of malaria.

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

More than 40% of the population lives inpoverty, and while Australia ranks at aworld-topping 2 in the UNDPdevelopment index, PNG sits at 124 – inthe bottom 10% of countries worldwide.

Esta is just one of hundreds of thousandswho have been impacted by ADRA’swork in PNG. For more than 10 yearsADRA has been empoweringcommunities and changing lives acrossthe country – from the lush highlands tothe picturesque coasts and bustling cities.In fact, ADRA is currently making animpact in every province of the country.Without your ongoing support this wouldnot have been possible.

Not only is ADRA changing the lives ofindividuals, but also empowering othersto spread their message of life and hope.

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Network

NewsThe ADRA network has a presencein 126 countries around the world!Recent projects implemented byother ADRA offices include:

ADRA Myanmar

Following devastating floods which havedestroyed villages, fields and future incomefor families in the Hpn-An, Karen State,ADRA has been busy and active distributingemergency food.

ADRA Rwanda

Congolese refugees, escaping conflict andviolent clashes between government forcesand armed militia, have fled into Rwanda.ADRA has begun installing functionallatrines to aid in the improvement ofsanitation and hygiene and to prevent thespread of deadly diseases.

ADRA Philippines

Continued heavy rainfall has seen Manilla,the capital of the Philippines inundatedwith flood waters, affecting over 1.9 millionpeople. ADRA is in action distributing foodaid – ensuring those who have lost theirhomes can still survive.

ADRA Brazil

North eastern Brazil is suffering through itsworst drought in almost 60 years, leavinglocal farmers, dependent on agriculturewithout a food or income source. ADRABrazil is responding through the distributionof equipment and rations to 620 families.

ADRA India

ADRA responded to widespread floodingacross the Assasm state, which affectedover 14 districts and more than 900,000people. ADRA acted by providing latrines,hygiene kids, while also establishing acash-for-work program to aid in the longterm recovery for the regions affected.

Message from the CEO“So much for a ‘paperless’ office.” In frontof me sits reams of documentation,policies, evidence, the accumulation ofmonths of work for ADRA’s accreditation.

AusAID accreditation is the higheststandard an Australian internationaldevelopment agency can reach. Over twodays, the accreditors inspected thedocumentation, asked questions and got toknow ADRA inside out.

And here’s the good news – ADRAAustralia has been recommended for fullre-accreditation with AusAID. The

accreditors were impressed by our agency and noted, several times, thatthere was a special feeling about our office and our work – a spirit ofgenerosity 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-governmentorganisations in Australia. As a result, we can access government funds tocontinue our work around the world. AusAID have endorsed our projectdesign and implementation, financial management and fundraising; theyhave given the highest praise possible of our staff; but more than that,they have shown they believe in the Adventist Church and this, ourministry of compassion, a concept we are very open about with them.

The government is committed to supporting our ministry. This month isyour chance to do the same. With your commitment to our Hope Nationprogram 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 ofdifference for those experiencing poverty. This is your chance to make acommitted impact in the world. Read more about Hope Nation in theincluded brochure or visit www.adra.org.au

Kind regards,

Jonathan DuffyChief Executive Officer ADRA Australia

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

www.facebook.com/ADRAAustralia

Contact Us: T: 02 9489 5488E: adra.info@adra.org.auwww.adra.org.au1800 24 ADRA (3272)

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 ChrisJensen / Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Mark Webster / Director ofPublic and Supporter Relations Matthew Siliga / Director of National Programs RitaKarraz | 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

ADRAnews-0912 22/8/12 6:57 PM Page 2

Progress Overseas - International Program

Emergency Management

One year from disasterTwelve months ago Martha and her children sat in wait. Starvingand malnourished their life of poverty had turned deadly in thewake 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 hadleft in search of work; they waited for help from neighbours andfriends. And they prayed that something would change.

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

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

Martha and her family havebeen receiving three meals aday and her husband hasreturned home. Threehundred other families inthe region are also receivingADRA’s help.

Plus, we have been able tobring clean water and foodto tens of thousands acrossthe border in Somalia.

The drought has not broken,but thanks to you thousands like Martha have hope. And asADRA 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 andwill change lives. For more on ADRA’s EmergencyManagement work visit www.adra.org.au

New Projects Changing LivesMay and June were busy months here at ADRA Australia. Notonly were we in the thick of our Food and Futures Appeal andpreparing for AusAID Accreditation (see page 2), but ourinternational programs team were also preparing the plans fornew projects starting July 1.

These projects, across Asia, Africa and the South Pacific willimpact thousands of lives and continue the developmentjourney for all communities involved.

These new projects include:

Wealth in the Soil – Zimbabwe: By training peri-urban farmers insustainable horticulture practices, ADRA is helping to protectfamilies from changing and unpredictable weather patterns.

Tsogolo Labwino II – Malawi: By strengthening civil societyorganisations through knowledge and skills, thousands ofvulnerable rural households will have access to business,

agriculture, literacy andhealth training.

Food for Life – Vanuatu:Sustainable permaculturetechniques will allow remoteisland communities toimprove their nutrition andincome through increase foodproduction and preservingtechniques.

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

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

thanks to improved hygiene and moreproductive gardens. Plus with more timeand resources, her family has startedbreeding animals as an additional sourceof income.

Just as importantly, Veasna now haspeace – no longer does she have toworry about going into the forest everyday. And with ADRA’s new projectfocussing on mother and child healthshe has the assurance her two youngboys will grow up healthy and happy.

This story was filed by Andrew Beaden, an ADRAAustralia intern currently working with ADRACambodia. Thanks Andrew for your passion formaking a difference.

Veasna’s new lifeVeasna looks to the forest edge not far from herhome in rural Cambodia. Fear no longer rises fromthe pit of her stomach like it once did. Sheremembers feeling scared every-time she wouldcross its threshold, never knowing if the groups ofdrunken men were around or not.

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

Now Veasna and her family are living healthier lives

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Elizabeth, like thesix women aroundher, has never hadher own bankaccount. They pressin, smiling andlaughing as sheshows them theirnew deposit book.They have all been

doing their best to care for their families, and what little cash theyhave is wasted by husbands who can’t find work and spend their daysdrinking.

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 infinancial literacy, vocational skills and helped them develop a smallbusiness plan. Elizabeth has learned sewing, soap-making, cookingskills and how to raise chickens. Throughout the training Elizabeth andeach of the women contributed whatever they could spare to asavings group. Now they will have the opportunity to receive a smallbusiness loan and for the first time, they have their own smallamount of money, and together they control how it will be used.

Etsa, Matson and Elizabeth have experienced ADRA’s impact first-handand are now committed to changing the lives of others around them.They share our vision of extending ADRA’s ministry further and deeperinto 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 youto join us on this journey. Because no matter how far away they are –from the Pacific, Asia or Africa – every child, mother and father inneed is our neighbour.

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

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

Continued from page 1

Feature

Butwhy…?Can we really end poverty?Change takes time.

Almost everyone agrees that poverty is not agood thing. Almost everyone would like to endpoverty. Almost everyone would benefit fromending poverty. So why don’t we?

The question, in essence, is about time. After allthis time, money and effort from governmentsand organisations the world over, why doespoverty still exist?

From a Biblical perspective poverty will alwaysexist (see Matthew 26:11), but at no point is thisprovided as an excuse for inaction. The truth is,change takes time, and commitment. The trendtowards short-term commitments, throughprojects and actions, is out of step with what weknow brings about the most substantial andsustainable change.

ADRA’s work in Papua New Guinea is just oneexample of this (see page 1). By committing tothe country and the communities within it, ADRAhas been able to bring about real change in thelives of those we work with. By progressingthrough literacy projects to vocational educationprojects and business skills development, ADRA isseeing children live with access to far greaterdignity and opportunities than their parents did –which is what development is meant to do.

The irony in most situations is this – those mostcommitted to improving the lives of the poor, arethe poor themselves. Their commitment extendsinto hours of manual labour tilling soil andharvesting sometimes just to survive; journeys of20kms to collect clean water for cooking, cleaningand drinking; and self-sacrifice that most of uscould not fathom.

The challenge for us in the developed world is tomatch their commitment; to find effective andsustainable development activities that bringabout real change – and commit to them. Onlythen can we really grow hope amongstcommunities that need it most.

PNG has a young population –40% are under 15. (Source: United Nations)

thinkabout it

For the firsttime, Elizabethhas a smallamount ofmoney she cancall her own.

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In our ownbackyard...Meet Beth*. An ordinaryAustralian, who’s lived anextraordinary life – and not forreasons you’d expect.

Adopted at birth, Beth wasbrought up in an angry home,never experiencing love orkindness. After running awayfrom home as a teenager, andfalling into several suffocatingand abusive relationships she

was drugged, beaten and emotionally broken.

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

discovered Sonshine Sanctuary, an ADRA-supported women’srefuge. From this point, she was surrounded by a network oflove and support that grew confidence and hope within her.Now, Beth has got her life back on track.

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

You now have the chance to step into Beth’s life and experiencefirsthand her struggles and her journey of restoration and hope.By stepping through the doors of ADRA’s NotONE interactiveexhibit you will be immersed in a world of poverty and pain, butultimately discover how ADRA is bringing hope to the world.

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

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

*Name changed to protect privacy

Progress At Home – National Program

Bags of joy made ‘Just for You’ Noeleen Mackintosh, and her dedicated team of six ladies servetheir local community in a unique way.

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

“We have a team of six ladies from Blacktown and Penrithchurches who put the bags together,” says Noeleen. “We like todo what we can to help kids, especially those in unhappycircumstances – to let them know in some small way thatsomeone cares about them.”

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

rushed tohospital, or maybe suffering aserious illnessand be in needof palliative care.

The bagsoverflow withsoft toys,blankets, activity books, pencils, crayons and personal items liketoothbrush, toothpaste and shampoo.

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

Emergency Management

QLD EM ConferenceQueensland is the most disaster proneregion in Australia. Each year residentsbrace for cyclonic winds, flooding andother natural disasters - and ADRA isthere to help.

A two-day conference recently held inBrisbane illustrated ADRA’s impact in thearea of emergency management inQueensland. Organised and facilitated byADRA’s Disaster Management State Co-ordinator for Queensland, Ron Jenkins,the conference brought together staff

and volunteers from agencies includingADRA, the Salvation Army, and StVincent’s de Paul for training from someof Australia’s leading experts in the field.

The team of ADRA’s volunteer Area Co-ordinators joined for an additional day,with a vision cast for expanding ADRA’simpact into more regions during thenext 12 months.

While we pray disaster does not come toQueensland, we are proud of all ourvolunteers who are willing to give uptime and energy to prepare for, andrespond when the time does come.

Live in Queensland, New South Wales,the ACT or Western Australia andinterested in volunteering with ADRAduring times of disaster? Emailadra.info@adra.org.au for moreinformation.

ADRAnews-0912 22/8/12 6:57 PM Page 5

Running for more than FunTeams of runners representing ADRA have raised more than $11,000 during funruns in Melbourne and Sydney.

On Sunday 15 July, 16 ADRA runners braved blustery conditions to complete the10km and half-marathon divisions of the annual The Age Run Melbourne funrun. The teams from across Victoria raised money for the conference ADRAConnections trip to Tanzania, Keep Girls Safe in Thailand and JEM girls refuge inMelbourne. In total more than $7,000 was raised.

With the threat of rain and a gale blowing from the south, 37 ADRA runnersbegan 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.

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

You Did It! Thanks for Getting Involved

Families ‘Connected’ in VietnamChristina Edser admits that raising $17,000 for their recent ADRAConnections trip to Vietnam was a little daunting, “but God reallyprovided, even through Facebook!”

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

“It was worse than we imagined,” she said. “They were really nothingmore than rundown huts. Coming from Australia you’d never havesomething 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 havecommitted 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, theybetter 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

The Chicken ProjectWhen Geelong Pathfinders decided to buy some chickens for families in Africa and Asiathey never imagined it would take wings itself.

‘The project became known as the ‘Chicken Project’ and soon the whole church wasinvolved,” said Pathfinder Deputy Director, Kim Jansen. “The Pathfinders also donatedfrom 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 churchfoyer. The aim of buying 100 chickens was quickly passed – with more than 250purchased in total.

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

thinkabout it

20% of the population in developedcountries consume 86% of the world’sgoods. (Source: Global Issues)

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Climbing amountain forADRA

Eighty-four kilometres west of Maryborough, Queensland, 16 Pathfinders,Adventurers and Councillors gathered with water bottles filled and boot lacesstrapped. 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 whojoined 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 effortswill make a difference in this year’s ADRA Appeal.

More than a doorknockDepending on which conference you live in, the ADRA Appeal may havealready passed, you may be in the thick of it or your just about to strap onyour walking shoes for a Sabbath afternoon collection. Whatever your situationwe want to say thanks.

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

But more than that, the ADRA Appeal is the largest fundraiser for ADRAAustralia, bringing in more than $1 million every year. Without these funds wewouldn’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 aboutmaking the world a better place. Thank you for being part of the ADRAAppeal this year!

Shine the LightImagine that for every $1 you received,someone stole $10. How would you feel– enraged, beside yourself? Well that’sthe situation many poor nations face.The money they could earn from theexport of their natural resources issignificantly reduced by tax-dodgingmining corporations.

Through mechanisms such as trademispricing, multinationals are able toarrange their internal selling and buyingprices to shift their tax burden from thepoor nation to a convenient tax havensomewhere else, thus depriving the poornation of legitimate tax revenue.

These practices also adversely affect richnations – Australia alone loses anestimated $41bn in tax revenue. Forpoor nations more money is lost throughthis type of tax dodging ($160bn eachyear) than is received in foreign aid($120bn each year). Is it legal? – yes. Isit moral? – well, check the story ofcorrupt Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-9).

Micah Challenge has begun a campaignto ‘shine the light’ on these darkpractices. The campaign calls upon theAustralian Government to implementsimilar legislation to that alreadyimplemented in the USA, requiringAustralian registered extractive industrycorporations to report their financialtransactions including tax paid on acounty by country basis. This wouldmake the process more transparent andopen to scrutiny by the citizens of poorcountries.

You can add your voice for tax justice at:www.micahchallenge.org.au/shine-the-light

ADRA Australia is a member of theMicah Challenge – a coalition of Christianaid agencies which advocates for theworld’s poor.

Events to JoinHave you got a passion for making the world a better place? Why not join one of the upcoming events listed below?

� City to Bay – SA – September 16, 2012 (www.city-bay.org.au)

� London to Paris – 16-21 July, 2013 (www.adra.org.au)

� Canberra Times Fun Run – September 9, 2012(www.canberratimesfunrun.com.au)

� Voices for Justice – September 15-17, 2012 (www.micahchallenge.org.au)

� Anti-poverty Week – October 14, 2012 (www.antipovertyweek.org.au)

ADRAnews-0912 22/8/12 6:57 PM Page 7

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

ADRAkids lEver tried to finish a difficult jigsawpuzzle in a hurry? Picking uppieces quickly and praying thatthey’ll fit, it doesn’t take long

for the table to be coveredwith bits you’ve thrown

away in a rush. Take a breath, sitback and take a bit of time. Maybe if

you get yourself organised things will cometogether more quickly.

Hard problems take time to solve. Esta,Matson and Elizabeth know this first hand.Their problem, poverty, is one of the hardestproblems of all. But with ADRA’s help andcommitment to their country of Papua NewGuinea things are changing. Now, they areeach living healthy, happy and hope-filled

lives; something that wouldn’t have beenpossible without commitment and time.

ADRAroo has given a lot of time to helpingpeople in need. Check out this clock - Can you

join all the numbers (starting at 1) withoutcrossing 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 Gobidesert, 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 intheir garden plots. Though they taste a little like garlic, andgrow plentifully in the region, they are never used for cooking!

Hi Young Aussies!

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