Zurich/Switzerland, [APD; CD-EUD News]. 2.525 Christmas packages of the campaign "Children helping Children" have been transported by train from Switzerland to Chisinau, capital of Moldova, and delivered to needy children aged 4 - 17 years according to Adventist Development and Relief Agency ADRA Switzerland.
For a family with five children that gets assistance from social services, these packages have been the first Christmas gifts in their life, said Rachel Donald, project manager of ADRA Switzerland. She has accompanied the distribution of the Christmas boxes on site by the partner organization ADRA Moldova. In the poorest country of Europe even toothpaste or shampoo in the Christmas boxes have caused great joy and shining children's eyes, said Donald. "The effort was worth it! Thanks to all children and adults in Switzerland that took part in the action.”
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was established in November 1956 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to provide humanitarian relief and welfare. Originally called Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service or SAWS, the name was changed to Seventh-day Adventist World Service in 1973.
ADRA is currently one of the leading non-governmental relief organizations in the world. In 1997 the agency was granted General Consultative Status by the United Nations, a unique opportunity giving ADRA added voice in the international community. In 2004 it assisted nearly 24 million people with more than US$159 million in aid. More than 4,000 ADRA staff members currently work in 125 countries. As new challenges and needs arise, ADRA continues to strive to realize its mission of reflecting God's love through compassionate acts of humanitarian service.
