Teaching the World to Fish

Around the world, ADRA is working with people to relieve suffering. Most of ADRA’s work is development (not relief), which basically means helping people to help themselves. Someone once described development in this way: “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat today. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat forever.” Here’s some of the ways ADRA is “teaching the world to fish.”

Mongolia: Live and learn project
Young Mongolians face the usual challenges of adolescence. However, many of them also struggle with extreme poverty, violence, homelessness, family breakdown, unemployment and an interrupted education. ADRA–Australia is helping Mongolian youth-in-crisis by providing some adventure.
Adventure therapy, such as wilderness survival, is an excellent way of helping young people realise their value and worth. ADRA is using it in Mongolia to help at-risk youth increase their level of personal growth and develop essential life skills. ADRA is also training youth professionals in experiential and adventure-based learning principles, so that they can continue to help young Mongolians.

Nepal: Youth reproductive health education
In Nepal, most people don’t have access to health education, so ADRA supports a project that teaches young people about reproductive health. In the Makawanpur and Kavre districts, the project activities have included mobile clinics, school health education sessions, drama shows and parent–child workshops. The overall objective is to contribute to a sustainable improvement in the reproductive health status of youth and adolescents, particularly women of reproductive age.

Thailand: Sop Moei agriculture
ADRA–Australia is contributing to the development of community agricultural conditions for rural villages of the Mae Sam Lap sub-district. Through activities such as training in growing coffee and fruit trees, developing and building seedling nurseries, and establishing coffee, fruit tree orchards and permanent vegetable garden plots, ADRA has provided a way for these people to help themselves. Men, women and children in this area are enjoying improved environmental and economic conditions, and have an increased awareness regarding environmental issues and agricultural principles.