The vital global and community efforts of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA-UK) came into sharp focus on Friday 23 October as Matt Turmaine, Labour Member of Parliament for Watford visited the charity’s local headquarters in Stanborough Park.
The visit provided an opportunity for the MP to meet with the leadership and programmes team, including the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr Kirk Thomas, and learn firsthand about the organisation’s extensive humanitarian projects – ranging from international emergency response and sustainable development to local community support initiatives.
During the visit, the increasing frequency of global crises, the importance of grassroots international aid, and how local institutions like ADRA-UK, situated in small towns like Watford continue to make an impact on a global scale formed the discussions. Sandra Golding, CEO, ADRA-UK provided the overarching work of the ADRA brand highlighting its three strategic themes of collective impact, faith and values and people and systems, which were implemented through four pathways: faith, funds, people and programmes.
The impact of the pandemic and dramatic loss of funding from key global players and the reduction of official development assistance spending by the UK government was a passionate discussion led by Howa Avan-Nomayo, Chief Programmes Officer. He also delivered an impact report on ADRA’s work over the past four years having reached 1,347,606 people across the globe with 120+ partners, in 23 countries throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
Reflecting on the visit, Sandra emphasised the value of local representation and engagement in international development work. “We highly value the time of MP Matt Turmaine, who I understand is a very busy man. It was so beneficial that he took time to share his community goals and goals for global outreach, which we both share.”
Matt also shared thoughts on the visit and the significance of having such a prominent international relief agency headquartered right in the heart of Watford. “I am deeply impressed by the work of ADRA-UK. For such a small team, they are doing a tremendous work helping a wide section of people across the globe. I am proud that ADRA-UK is in my town.”
The visit concluded with a forward-looking dialogue on future collaborations, community resilience, and ways to continue supporting vulnerable populations both internationally and domestically.
