http://www.adra.org/faq.html and http://www.adra.org
WHAT IS ADRA INTERNATIONAL?
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) is the
worldwide humanitarian ARM of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Established
for the specific purposes of individual and community development and
disaster relief, ADRA International fulfills this primary directive of its
charter without regard to race, gender, political or religious affiliation.
With a presence in more than 120 countries, ADRA International believes in
the potential of each individual to reflect the image of God, the dignity
that is inherent in every person, and the importance of the quality of
human life. ADRA International operates in five core portfolio activities:
food security, economic development, primary health, disaster response and
preparedness, and basic education.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS AND OTHER PROJECTS?
ADRA International's disaster relief and development programs are funded
with resources received from private and, sometimes, government donations.
ADRA International is also often awarded funding by the UN (United Nations,
i.e. World Food Programme (WFP), UNHCR, etc.), USAID (United States Agency
for International Development) and other governments and foundations that
rely on ADRA's expertise and infrastructure to meet those needs. In
addition, large corporations and other companies often donate 'Gifts In
Kind,' such as antibiotics, water supplies, medical equipment, free flights
to disaster sites, etc.
HOW CAN I HELP ADRA INTERNATIONAL?
You can assist ADRA International with your time, prayers and donations. If
you'd like to prayerfully support ADRA International, call 1-888-237-2367
and ask for information about ADRA Angels. For activity ideas, call
1-888-237-2367 and ask for our "Do Something" kit. To volunteer call
1-888-237-2367 and ask for the Volunteer Office.
CAN I SPONSOR A CHILD THROUGH ADRA INTERNATIONAL?
For a number of philosophical and professional reasons based on experience,
ADRA International has chosen not to promote the child sponsorship approach
to relieve poverty and suffering. ADRA International aims to benefit whole
communities rather than focus on individuals, as this builds up
intra-community relationships. To discuss ADRA International's wholistic
approach, call 1-888-237-2367 and ask for marketing and development.
HOW MUCH OF EACH $1 GOES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS?
ADRA International strives to make the best use of every cent received.
Even though we use only between 8-10% or less in overhead costs, (among the
lowest percentages in the humanitarian industry), we are always looking for
ways to further reduce that amount. We take seriously our responsibility to
manage, in a wise and efficient manner, the gifts entrusted to us by our
donors.
WHY ISN'T ADRA INTERNATIONAL INCLUDED IN MY NEWSPAPER'S LIST OF AGENCIES
RESPONDING TO A DISASTER?
In times of disaster, the list most newspapers publish is compiled and
distributed by InterAction, a coalition of humanitarian agencies like ADRA
International. In fact, ADRA International is a founding member of
InterAction. The list is sent to the Associated Press for distribution to
newspapers and other news media. However, because newspaper space and
broadcast times are limited, the list is often edited before being printed.
Even though the InterAction list is in alphabetical order, editors often
change the order and put the better known agencies at the top.
WHY DON'T WE SEE AND/OR READ MORE ABOUT ADRA INTERNATIONAL IN THE NEWS WHEN
THERE IS A DISASTER?
Several years ago an ADRA International staff member asked a United States
network news anchor this question. His reply was that there are so many
agencies from so many denominations helping in times of disaster that they
try not to focus on one denominational agency out of fairness to the rest.
That stance hasn't changed. Often the news media will use the blanket terms
"aid agencies" or "humanitarian agencies" to cover all the organizations
responding. Some identify only those agencies with generic names that
describe the work we each do. This is unfortunate, as we'd like to see more
news coverage about ADRA International's work as well. In addition, because
of ADRA International's global infrastructure and reputation, it is often
the "lead" agency in times of disaster.
IN WHICH COUNTRIES IS ADRA INTERNATIONAL WORKING?
ADRA International has a presence in more than 120 countries. To find out
if ADRA International has a presence in a specific country, call
1-888-237-2367.
WHAT DOES "ADVENTIST" MEAN?
The "Adventist" in Adventist Development and Relief Agency International
(ADRA) is reflective of the fact that the Seventh-day Adventist Church
established this independent, humanitarian agency. The values that shaped
the agency are the traditional Christian values of the potential of each
individual to reflect the compassionate image of God, the dignity which is
inherent in every person, and the importance of quality in human life. ADRA
International meets needs without regard to an individual's religious
affiliation, helping those who need it most. Simply put: ADRA International
exists because need does.
DO ADRA INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS MAINLY OR ONLY BENEFIT ADVENTISTS?
No. ADRA International is an independent, humanitarian agency established
for the specific purposes of individual and community development and
disaster relief. As an internationally recognized, non-governmental
organization, ADRA International meets needs without regard to an
individual's religious affiliation.
HOW IS ADRA INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH?
ADRA is an independent agency established by the Seventh-day Adventist
Church. The church's involvement in organized humanitarian assistance goes
back nearly eighty years. In 1918, just after World War I, the Seventh-day
Adventist Church established a committee to assist church workers,
missionaries and members in need as a result of the war. Then came World
War II. The devastation called for immediate attention. The Adventist
Church established warehouses in New York and San Francisco to process
materials to ship overseas.
In 1956 the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists created the
Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service, Incorporated (SAWS). The name was
modified in 1973 to be Seventh-day Adventist World Service, and in 1983
SAWS was reorganized under the current name, Adventist Development and
Relief Agency, International (ADRA).
HOW DO I MAKE A DONATION?
Call: 1-888-237-2367
Online: www.adra.org
Mail: ADRA International, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904,
USA
If you'd like your donation to be put to use in a specific country or
project, be sure to specify that to the operator or on your check.
WILL ADRA INTERNATIONAL PROVIDE A DONATION RECEIPT FOR MY TAXES?
All donations made through ADRA will receive a donation receipt after each
donation and a year-end tax receipt. If you make a donation through United
Way, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), or through your LOCAL church, you
will not receive receipts from ADRA as donor names are kept confidential by
these organizations. If you want an ADRA receipt or you want to respond to
a particular appeal, or help a specific project/country, you should make
your gift directly to ADRA International.
HOW CAN I DONATE TO ADRA INTERNATIONAL WITHOUT SENDING MONEY?
You can assist the mission of ADRA with your time, prayers and material
donations. If you'd like to prayerfully support ADRA International, call
1-888-237-2367 and ask for information about ADRA Angels. For activity
ideas and material donations, call 1-888-237-2367 and ask for ADRA
International's "Do Something" kit. To volunteer call 1-888-237-2367 and
ask for the Volunteer Office.
HOW CAN I APPLY TO WORK FOR ADRA INTERNATIONAL OR IN A FIELD OFFICE?
Read about our employment philosophy and procedures online.
WHAT ADRA INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE?
ADRA Works, a newsletter featuring news from ADRA's worldwide network,
photos, stories of how ADRA is "changing the world, one life at a time," a
message from ADRA's president, and information on how donor gifts are being
put to work.
ADRA's World– ADRA's weekly TV program aired on 3ABN. Videos are ideal for
Sabbath AND SUNDAY School (adult/children), small groups, and midweek
services. (We charge $5 per tape to cover duplication and mailing costs and
can be ordered online.)
News Releases– are available on this web site or can be sent directly to
your e-mail address.
QuickTakes– a fax/email newsletter written just for pastors and other
church leaders. QuickTakes features ADRA news briefs and ideas pastors can
use in sermons, presentations, prayer meetings, or for sharing with members.
Making A Difference– In three-minute segments, this videotape highlights 12
ADRA stories from around the world. Suitable for use in Sabbath and Sunday
Schools, youth meetings, and school classrooms. ($5 per tape.)
Do Something– your kit to help you get involved in ADRA International's
ministry. Includes activities and other ideas for all ages!
Special Request? Are you making a presentation? Want to promote ADRA? Need
a video? Brochures? Give us a call. Let us know how we can help you.
To receive information about any of the above resources, call 1-888-237-2367.
HOW AND WHERE DO I SEND CLOTHING?
In times of disaster and economic hardship around the world, ADRA
International is able to send used clothing to people in desperate need of
clothes. New and used clothing can be taken to your closest Adventist
Community Service Center (ACS). ADRA collects clothing on an ongoing basis,
not just when there is a disaster. These clothes are sorted, cleaned, and
baled so they are ready for shipment whenever and where ever they are
needed. New clothing and blankets are also needed. Call 1-866-999-ADRA
(2372) to find the ACS center nearest you.
HOW DOES ADRA INTERNATIONAL HELP IN THE UNITED STATES?
ADRA International allocates funding to its partner, Adventist Community
Services (ACS), for domestic programs. Funds are primarily used for
disaster relief projects but also for community development projects. ACS
is a member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)
and operates under a written agreement with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). For more information about ADRA's domestic
programs, or to make a donation, call toll-free 1-888-237-2367.
HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR ADRA INTERNATIONAL?
Call our Volunteer Office at 1-888-237-2367 to find out about ADRA
volunteer opportunities or check this web site for more information.
WHAT CAN OUR YOUTH GROUP DO FOR ADRA INTERNATIONAL?
ADRA's Kick the Cycle -- A 24-hour event for youth to help others kick the
poverty cycle!
ADRA's Really Useful Gift Catalog-- ADRA's Really Useful Gift Catalog is
filled with gifts that last a lifetime. When you purchase a gift from this
catalog, you're helping your global neighbors help themselves. Small groups
(school, church, Pathfinders, etc.) can really put this catalog to good use
as a fundraiser.
Do Something -- Call 1-888-237-2367 and ask for this kit to help
individuals of all ages get involved in ADRA's ministry.
WHAT IS KICK THE CYCLE?
Kick the Cycle is a 24-hour event during which youth help kick the poverty
cycle. This is what you'll do...
Fast for 24 hours!
Here are the exceptions...you can drink as much water as you need and ADRA
will provide each participant with refugee biscuits to eat.
Get sponsors!
This is your chance to tell friends, family and neighbors what you've
learned about poverty and the need for development and how, though Kick the
Cycle, you're doing something about it! Ask for their support.
The rest is up to you...
Do the activities that teach development in our activity book or plan your
own community service event or group activity.
By joining Kick the Cycle, your group will be supporting ADRA's development
programs–and you'll have fun doing it.
We'll provide you with everything you need for a successful event–posters,
videos, group leader's guide, activity ideas, biscuits and more.
To sign up or get more information, call 1-888-237-2367 and ask for Kick
the Cycle.
HOW ARE ADRA ANNUAL APPEAL FUNDS USED?
The new policy for 2000 requires that at least 90% of the funds raised in
the United States from the ADRA Annual Appeal will go to ADRA. Those funds
are allocated as follows: 25% to local Adventist Community Service (ACS)
projects, 10% to ADRA North America Division (ADRA NAD) for inner city
projects, etc., and disaster relief, 15% to conferences for conference-wide
humanitarian projects and 40% to ADRA International for overseas projects.
WHY DOESN'T ADRA COLLECT OFFERINGS IN CHURCHES RATHER THAN SEND OUT MAILINGS?
ADRA International's donors have told us that they wish to receive mailings
that keep them informed about its ministry and updates on how donations are
being used. Adventist Churches have an established list of monthly
offerings that are collected. For ADRA International, an exception is made
once each year for the Disaster and Famine Relief Offering (DFRO) which is
collected in Seventh-day Adventist churches on the second Sabbath
(Saturday) of May.
WHY DON'T YOU HAVE MY NAME IN YOUR COMPUTER? I FREQUENTLY GIVE TO ADRA
THROUGH MY CHURCH?
All donations given to ADRA International through your church are kept
confidential by your church. In other words, ADRA is not informed of the
individual donor's name when your church sends a lump sum offering. Because
your church does not inform us of the individual donor names, ADRA cannot
issue a receipt to you, nor is your name on our donor list. If you wish to
receive an ADRA International receipt, or to specify a country/project, you
should send your donation directly to ADRA International or call
1-888-237-2367; log on to our web site at www.adra.org; or mail to: ADRA
International, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA.
DOES ADRA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATE PEOPLE ON FAMILY PLANNING AND BIRTH CONTROL?
Absolutely. There are many components that lead to a situation where
families in poverty have many children. These are too vast to list here,
but be assured that ADRA is addressing those components with various
programs that assist in the well being of mothers and children worldwide.
For instance, mother and child health programs provide medical aid and
teach child spacing, and adult literacy classes educate mothers and fathers
in the benefits of smaller families.
DO GOVERNMENTS CONTROL WHAT ADRA INTERNATIONAL DOES SINCE ADRA
INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTS GOVERNMENT MONEY?
While ADRA International does partner with U.S. and foreign governments on
projects, those governments do not control ADRA International. ADRA is free
to determine what projects and initiatives it will undertake. Of course,
that decision is based on what will best meet the needs of the people we
are serving.
The acceptance of funds placed ADRA in a mutually beneficial partnership.
ADRA designs a proposal in cooperation with a community, which is reviewed
and accepted by the government funder. The program, including all
objectives and activities are developed by ADRA, and once they have been
approved by the government funder, they become the results that ADRA agrees
to achieve. Government-funded projects are independently audited and
regular financial reports are submitted. They are also independently
evaluated. This assures you that your tax dollars are being used to meet
the needs of the people as intended.
HOW BIG IS ADRA INTERNATIONAL?
ADRA has a presence in more than 120 countries. In 1998, ADRA funded more
than 2,400 projects which directly touched the lives of more than 18
million men, women and children. That same year, ADRA International's
worldwide network included almost 4,000 employees.
WHO DOES ADRA INTERNATIONAL HELP?
ADRA International's focus is on communities and families as a whole.
Children are major beneficiaries of ADRA International programs which seek
to integrate health, safe water, sanitation, food production, family
business, and basic education–including literacy. Established for the
specific purposes of individual and community development and disaster
relief, ADRA International fulfills this primary directive of its charter
without regard to race, gender, political or religious affiliation. With a
presence in more than 120 countries, ADRA International believes in the
potential of each individual to reflect the image of God, the dignity that
is inherent in every person, and the importance of the quality of human
life. ADRA International operates in five core portfolio activities: food
security, economic development, primary health, disaster response and
preparedness, and basic education.
ARE ADRA INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS AUDITED?
The ADRA office in each donor country (funding country) is responsible for
coordinating audits for the project(s) they are funding. Responsibilities
of the Internal Audit Office at ADRA Headquarters include monitoring and
arranging external audits for projects funded by the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID). The General Conference Auditing
Service audits ADRA country/administration books. All audit reports are to
be submitted to ADRA Headquarters Internal Audit Office. In turn, these
reports are presented to and reviewed by the ADRA Audit Review Committee
who reports directly to ADRA's International Board of Directors. ADRA
International Headquarters are audited yearly by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
IN WHAT AREAS DOES ADRA INTERNATIONAL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE?
ADRA International operates in five core portfolios: food security,
economic development, primary health, disaster response and preparedness,
and basic education. For a short booklet outlining each, call 1-888-237-2367.
WHY ISN'T ADRA INTERNATIONAL INVOLVED IN EVANGELISM?
ADRA International's ministry is based on its belief that Christians are
motivated by God's love to help people. God's love is expressed as a
principle and an expectation. ADRA International's ministry is love. In
other words, as in Christ's ministry on earth wherein He helped people with
no strings attached, ADRA does likewise.
When we reach out in love to meet the physical and social needs of
suffering, needy people, we do so to demonstrate God's love towards them.
ADRA International's ministry does not engage in any traditional
evangelistic activities. ADRA workers focus on making their faith relevant
and attractive to society through compassionate and loving good works. ADRA
often calls itself the gospel in work boots.
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