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Summer 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

Melissa never expected to findherself alone in a foreign country.

Celebrating TogetherI know this will divide the masses, but I loveChristmas. I’m not ashamed of it. My heart flutterswhen I see Christmas decorations adorning shoppingcentres, no matter how early in the year.

Melissa, a mother and a wife, risked itall to come to Australia. Her and herhusband packed up their lives in SouthAfrica, desperate to start a new lifeaway from the violence of theJohannesburg streets.

26,000 people will dieon Christmas day frompoverty related causes.

Arriving in Australia, Melissa and herhusband were excited - they purchasedtheir own home, filled it with furnitureand made plans for where theirdaughters would go to school.

But what Melissa couldn’t plan for waswaking up one morning to find herhusband gone. He had deserted her tomove back to South Africa and be withhis mistress.

More than the shame of losing herhusband, more than the embarrassmentof being a foreigner, the pain Melissafelt most was not being able to providefor her daughters.

In the wake of her husband’s treachery,Melissa was left with the uncertainty ofnot knowing how she would survivefinancially and emotionally. With nofamily, no support network, and notqualifying for government assistance,Melissa was truly alone. The bills beganto mount, and frustration, anger anddesperation rose within.

Discouraged after another rejection fromCentrelink, Melissa walked the street indespair. By chance she saw a sign thatread ‘ADRA’ out of the corner of her eye.

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 faceof someone you love as they open a gift they weren’t expecting. Whatever part ofChristmas you love, I can tell you now, someone here in Australia or around theworld hasn’t, and isn’t experiencing the joy of it.

It’s an uncomfortable thought, but while we stuff our faces with food on Christmasday 26,000 people will die from poverty related causes. That’s 26,000 families whowill 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 thinkthat more than 450,000 Australians will spend Christmas alone. Or try digesting thenew 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, whichwas recently shared by an ADRA Australia project staff member, confirmed this thought.

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Network

NewsThe ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries. Recent projectsimplemented by other ADRA officeswithin the network include:

ADRA ChinaFor people living on the Tibetan Plateau ofWestern China, it takes several days ofharrowing journey on horseback to reachthe nearest clinic. ADRA is helping thesevillagers access medical assistance bytraining local community health workers inbasic and maternal health skills.

ADRA UgandaA growing wave of refugees is flowingacross the Uganda-Congo border followingthe renewed violence in the DRC. ADRA isworking with existing refugee camps toprovide basics such as blankets, cookingutensils, water purification tablets, as wellas providing access to water.

ADRA MadagascarTo help prevent and reduce the spread ofHIV and AIDs, ADRA is working to improvethe local military’s knowledge of HIV andSTDs, reduce risky behaviours and increasethe military’s use of clinical services toprevent and treat STDs, and HIV and AIDs.

ADRA KyrgyzstanManaging diabetes can be challengingwithout the right diet, especially for those inpoverty. ADRA is teaching 300 impoverishedelderly women how to treat, prevent andmanage diabetes with the right food andexercise, as well as providing food parcelsand income generation opportunities to helpthem access nutritious food.

ADRA SudanKeeping small children healthy takesknowledge. ADRA is providing new mothersand pregnant women with the knowledgeand skills to take good care of themselvesand their babies through proper feedingtechniques, basic hygiene practices,monitoring growth rates and vaccinations.

Message from the CEOYou’ve probably heard the news – but I’ve recentlybeen elected as the new President of ADRAInternational – the headquarters of the network thathas a presence in more than 120 countries. It’s anexciting opportunity to continue to serve in ADRA’sministry, and an emphatic compliment to the team atADRA Australia and you, our committed supporters.

My relocation is (at least for now) the last in a seriesof movements in the office – which seems to happenfrom time to time in any organisation. Saying

‘farewell’ is always hard, but as I think back over what our agency hasachieved, 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 EmergencyManagement and Marilyn Mackay, a co-ordinator in our National Programhave retired into the grey-nomadic life after more than a decade of service.Denison Grellmann, a highly valued manager of a number of our internationalprojects, was called to serve as a senior program manager with ADRAInternational. Ashleigh Plimmer, who has co-ordinated many internationalemergency responses, is soon moving to East Timor. And most recently,Matthew Siliga, the Director of our Public and Supporter Relations departmenthas 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 everythingthey have done and pray God’s blessing on them as they move into these newand exciting phases of life.

Last month we put the final seal on our annual report (which I wouldencourage you to view online or call for a hard-copy). It reminded me of thehundreds of thousands of lives your support has changed, and the ways inwhich God is continuing to bless this ministry. The simple fact is – more livesthan ever have been changed because of your generosity of time, spirit, prayerand money towards this ministry. Thank you!

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 / Alex Marek | Senior Management Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Duffy /Chief Financial Officer Melville Simonsz / Director of International Program ChrisJensen / Director of Program Effectiveness and Planning 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 / John Bagnall

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Fields of dreamsAs we entered Maria’s community, thatched roofs, once coveringmud-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 – thankfullyit still stood. But her fields of maize, cotton and ground nuts,had been washed away, and with it her dreams of opening asmall store. At least for now.

Widowed almost a decade ago, Maria was left to care for herblind mother, two adult children with HIV, four grandchildren and

an orphaned niece. Her family would eat just one meal a day.

But in 2006 she saw others in her community growing theirfields and incomes. “ADRA is helping us,” they said.

Maria began to use the hammer mill ADRA had installed in thecommunity - no longer did she have to pound the maize intoflour by hand. It saved time and energy. Soon, she was growingenough maize to eat three meals a day, to store for the leanseason and to begin selling. And thanks to the treadle pumpthat ADRA had also provided her fields grew six-fold.

Today, Maria is buying flour and growing a small bread-makingbusiness. It’s just the beginning of her dream to open a shop.

“The profits from this harvest would have been enough to startour shop, but it will happen. I pray it will happen,” she said aswe walked through fields flattened the night before.

Thanks to you, thousands of people just like Maria have beenempowered to realize a brighter future!

Communications Coordinator, Braden Blyde, recently visited ADRA projects in Zambia.

‘Noodles with vitamins in them’

Workshop boosts capacityIt’s an annual clash of cultures that turns heads wherever itgoes. Travelling from across the globe, this year saw 38 stafffrom ADRA Australia’s 17 partner offices meet in rural Cambodiafor a week of learning in what is known as the ‘CapacityBuilding Workshop’.

“It sounds incredibly boring,” said Chris Jensen, Director ofInternational Programs. “But the workshops are a verymeaningful and impactful part of our program. Every year, ourpartner ADRA offices become more effective, efficient andsustainable. The workshop is just another way we can contributeto changing lives around the world.”

This year the workshop, which is funded by AusAID, theAustralian government’s aid program, focused on assistingpartner offices to better understand and apply practical tools to

assess ‘cross-cutting’ issues affecting their projects - includinggender, environmental protection and disability inclusiveness.

With a mix of time spent indoors learning, and time out in thefield, all participants left inspired and empowered to continuechanging lives back home. And needless to say, the mix ofAfrican, Asian, Pacific and Caucasian faces caused a stir in therural communities they visited.

Women’s groups in Rovieng District, Cambodia are excited by the prospect ofincreased family incomes and improved nutrition and health thanks to ADRA’spartnership with Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing.

The project, which has involved research by Sanitarium food scientists, will seethe women’s groups producing and selling fortified noodles.

“They’re often described by those involved in the project as ‘noodles withvitamins 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 notcome 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 theyearn 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.

Progress Overseas - International Program

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As she walked intothe doors she knewshe had foundsomething special.The staff andvolunteers at theADRA CommunityCentre cared for herphysical needs, theyprovided food parcelsat times when shecould not afford toeat, and connectedher with a supportivelocal church network,who through theADRA CommunityCentre, helped with rent assistance. The staff at the ADRACommunity Centre also cared for her emotional needs andprovided a network of care Melissa could rely on.

Their efforts were touches ofJesus’ hands and feet when

Melissa needed them the most.The ADRA Community Centre gave Melissa life – they allowedher to keep her family together. Their efforts were touches ofJesus’ hands and feet when Melissa needed them the most.

During this silly season, a time when we remember that Godlived and continues to live amongst us, we should alsoremember that His ministry continues, and that we have thechance to right wrongs, to spread peace on earth and goodwillto men.

Christmas is the time to reach out to those, like Melissa, whoare alone, who need encouragement, who deserve to beshown Christ’s love during a season centred on Him.

I love Christmas. There’s no denying or escaping that. But whatI love more, is celebrating Jesus’ birth while remembering Hisministry. I challenge you to do the same.

This Christmas you have the chance to celebrate Christ’s lifeand ministry by giving life to those who need it most. Yoursupport of our Christmas Appeal will help us raise $350,000to extend our ministry at home and overseas. Donations toour Christmas Appeal can be made at www.adra.org.au or bycalling 1800 242 372.

You can also purchase life-giving gifts this Christmas throughour Give Life Christmas Tree program. All purchases, whethermade in your church, school or workplace, or via our onlinecatalogue will be recognised by a gift tag. You can eitherkeep it or pass it on as a meaningful present to someone youlove. For more information or to purchase a gift online visitwww.adra.org.au

Carrie Unser is Communication Officer for ADRA Australia. *Name changed to protect privacy.

Continued from page 1

Feature

It was almost by chance thatMelissa came across a localADRA Centre – but it turnedher life around.

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Church engagement growingIf we told you that over 40 per cent of Adventist churches within Australia arerunning projects in their communities as part of ADRA’s ministry, would you believeus?

Well, we’re so pleased to say ‘IT’S TRUE!’

More and more churches are witnessing the life-changing effects that running anADRA project makes in their own backyard. Through youth, crisis relief, socialinclusion and women’s programs, Adventist congregations are reaching out into theircommunities 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 ofNational 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 ADRAproject, please call our office on 1800 24 ADRA or email adra.info@adra.org.au.

Progress At Home – National Program

Driving the way to success! John Mugabashaka is buzzing and he’s just spent hisSunday working. Not that he minds. He’s passionateabout being part of ADRA’s immigrant settlementprogram in South Australia. “I spent the day with sixBhutanese,” he smiles.

John leads an ADRA program in South Australia whichsupports migrants learning to drive in Australia. Ratherthan compound dependency through food handouts,the project is meeting migrant’s needs in a strategicway.

By matching ethnic drivers with new migrants, itmeans they can more easily learn how to drive andbecome confident. And by learning to drive they arenow able to apply for jobs and access more socialsupport services.

“We target youngpeople who live alone,single mothers, andwomen,” says John.“More than anything,being able to drivemeans being able toapproach jobs.”

Local ethnic community leaders are now contacting John, seeking out thisunique 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 forimmigrants, it also empowers migrants and gives them the confidencethat they can achieve something, says John.

“The impact is very huge,” he says. And we believe him. With dreams ofhelping 40 more people before the end of the year, John seems just asexcited about this program as we are!

Hope and health inthe heartlandCommunity health and nutritioneducation has been brought deep intoAustralia’s heartland thanks to ADRA’spartnership with Mamarapha College andthe inspired participants of theIndigenous Health and Lifestyle program.

The health issues facing Australia’sindigenous population are well known –almost 1 in 8 will face long-term heartconditions and they’re close to 50% morelikely to develop cancer during their life

time. Unsurprisingly, those in remotecommunities have significantly worsenutrition than the wider Australianpopulation.

Students like Colleen Roberts are seeingdramatic change in their families andcommunities as a result of theinformation, skills and confidence theyhave gained as part of the course.

“As a kid it wasn’t unusual for us all togo hungry,” she said. “We never ate well,and I watched my sister die because ofwhat she ate and drank.”

“The hospital is filling up with ourpeople, the next stop is the

graveyard,” Colleen said. “Butthanks to the course I look atfood differently – it’s change

the way me and my family eat.”

Colleen has also been running cookingand exercise programs in the community.The results? People are eating more fruitand vegetables and in much betterhealth.

Your support is helping ADRA make animpact in the lives of hundreds ofindigenous Australians – thank you! Formore of Colleen’s story check ADRAAustralia’s blog at www.adra.org.authink

about it

Almost a quarter of all Australianhouseholds are single personhouseholds. ABS 2011

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NotONE but three outings forinteractive exhibitOur NotONE interactive exhibit has been busy – traveling fromWahroonga to Avondale College and then onto SouthQueensland Big Camp within a month!

To the 1,000+ who have stepped into the world of ourbeneficiaries – thank you so much for experiencing it andsupporting our ministry! This year, we shared stories from bothAustralia and Kenya, and people were moved by what they saw,heard and touched.

A huge thank you to the volunteers who helped pull ourexhibit together – Sharon Duncan, from NSW who volunteeredher time to sew curtains and wall coverings; and JonaszMarek, from SA, who volunteered his time to help with thedesign of the exhibit. Your help was much needed andappreciated!

While at South Queensland Big Camp, the ADRA team also had a

lot of fun in the Teen Tent where we challenged the teens tocreate posters along the theme of ‘ending world hunger’. Theseposters will be used during the South Pacific Division’s WorldChangers Youth Congress, where ADRA is organising a socialjustice march through Brisbane’s CBD. The teens got seriouslycreative and created some incredible posters.

Thank you to all those teens who took part – you’ve createdsomething special! We can’t wait to show off your artistic skill.

Celebrating Christmas togetherWatch out – we’re about to enter a very silly season! As Christmas and theonslaught of present buying, decorating and excess hits us, it’s timely toremember the reason for the season and think of those still battling povertyand injustice, even in our own backyard.

Last year, over 80 families, churches and organisations took part in a specialChristmas – one centred on Christ’s ministry of compassion – to help raise more than $300,000 to continue ADRA’s life-changing workaround 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 itand 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 atwww.adra.org.au, via email adra.info@adra.org.au or give us a call on 1800 24 ADRA.

Hundreds connected in serviceThe first year of ADRA Connections has been a roaring success!

Eight teams have already ventured overseas, sacrificing familyholidays, schoolies trips and university breaks to serve those inneed. In just the last six months we have had teams visitVietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Fiji, Nepal and Vanuatu, buildingtoilets, shelters, schools and even protective fences – all leavinga lasting imprint on the lives of thousands across the world.

And it doesn’t end there – in the next 12 months we haveanother 18 groups signed up for an ADRA Connectionsadventure – heading to places including East Timor and Tanzania– the possibilities are (almost!) endless.

You Did It! Thanks for Getting Involved

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Did you know?

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.

• Almost $150,000 hasalready been raised bythe teams to helpcontinue ADRA’s life-changing work aroundthe world.

• More than 100 peoplehave served on ADRAConnections trips – theyoungest six-years-old,the oldest almost 60!

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thinkabout it

450,000 people will spend Christmas alone. McCrindle research

Events to Join

� Point to Pinnacle TAS – Nov 18 (www.pointtopinnacle.com.au)

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

� Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival QLD – 15-17 March 2013

� Australian Running Festival ACT – 13-14 April 2013 (www.runningfestival.com.au)

All in the familyAt the Micah Challenge Voices forJustice event in Canberra thisSeptember, you couldn’t miss thesignificance of ‘family’. Participantsincluded;

• a family of five who had travelledfrom Tasmania to make known theirconcerns for the world’s poor;

• a ‘family’ of five supporters andfriends of ADRA also keen to speakout for others;

• the ‘family’ of ten or so tight-knit,multi-ethnic Year 10 students from aCabramatta state school enthusiasticto engage with politicians and givetheir voice on behalf of those lessfortunate;

• and, the larger Voices ‘family’ –some 280 Christians learning,worshipping and advocating forothers whom they do not knowpersonally.

What a commitment to justice – inenergy, time and personal cost! But allthese family members continue to takeseriously the Biblical call to justice:

“Speak up for those who cannot speakfor themselves, for the rights of allwho are destitute. Speak up and judgefairly; defend the rights of the poorand needy.” Proverbs 31:8, 9, NIV. (seealso Ps 82:3, 4, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8).

Imagine the impact if all the membersof the ADRA family of supporters anddonors made a commitment to prayfor, and advocate on behalf of, theworld’s poorest! After all, as Christiansdo we not believe the family of Godincludes ‘the least of these’ - how canwe remain silent while so many of ourfamily endure abject poverty?

See www.micahchallenge.org.au/finish-the-race

ADRA Australia is a member of theMicah Challenge – a coalition ofChristian aid agencies which advocatesfor the world’s poor.

Stories from the streetJohn Finey, from Tahmoor Church, NSW, hasbeen faithfully collecting door-to-door since1966. “I was the first cab off the rank,” he saysproudly, and he’s been collecting ever since.From Bowral to Liverpool, John approachesbusinesses, and in just the last three years hascollected over $30,000. His approach to door knocking? “If only you will go, He willdo the rest.”

In South Australia, Maria Rawinski, from College Park Church, was resting oneafternoon because she felt too tired to go out collecting. And that’s understandableconsidering Maria is 84 years old! But she felt God prompted her to go collect, andwithin two days had collected more than $550! Altogether, Maria has nowpersonally collected almost $2,000. What an incredible effort!

Also in South Australia, Tim, Nonu and Aryn, from Mt Barker Family Church, decidedto do something a little different one Friday night. They decided to go ADRA Appealcollecting at the businesses and restaurants across the Hills District. In one and ahalf hours they collected $237!

Thank you so much to all the faithful coordinators, collectors and volunteers whotook part in this year’s ADRA Appeal. You are a vital part of ADRA’s life-changingwork here in Australia and around the world.

New donors growing hopeLast month, we asked those who felt called tosupport our ministry on a regular basis to joinour Hope Nation program.

Supporting our ministry every month is a hugecommitment, so we want to say how much weappreciate the 58 new Hope Nation donors whosigned up since September! The impact you will have is widespread and lifesaving.

Combined, these new donors increase our project funds by more than $30,000 ayear. This will enable us to train additional teachers in Papua New Guinea, reducechildhood malnutrition in Indonesia and prevent food shortages for communities inMalawi.

For more information about our Hope Nation program, please don’t hesitate tocontact our office on 1800 24 ADRA or send us an email, adra.info@adra.org.au.

Have you got a passion for making theworld a better place? Why not join one ofthe upcoming events listed below?

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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

I can’t wait for the presents, to spend timewith my family, and for the time off school. And withonly six weeks to go, it’s just around the corner. It’s soexciting! 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 havealready started theirs, but their Christmas lists are a bitdifferent. They include seeds, chickens and meals. Thoseare some unusual gifts, but they will let my friends haveenough to eat.

You can use the list on the right to come up with gifts thatyou’d like to get this Christmas, or ones that you’d like toshare with other children around the world.

See www.adra.org.au for more gifts to share.

Hi YoungAussies…

For the Armchair Traveller…Luxury or life saving?Most of us only use outdoor showers during relaxing stays in resorts or at holidayhomes. 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 fromhigh in the mountains, water borne disease was rife in these communities. Thereason: 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 bythe community, are bringing clean water and improved health.

ADRAkids lAre you

looking forward to Christmas?

I am!

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