About Us

Our Purpose

To serve humanity so all may live as God intended.

Our Motto

Justice. Compassion. Love.

Our Beginnings

SINCE 1979

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency was registered in Thailand in 1984 but before that, in 1979 Mr. Richard C. Hall came to Thailand as director of Seventh-day Adventist World Service (SAWS). SAWS was established as a relief agency, and the main emphasis was placed on Indo-Chinese Refugees from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam in six provinces.

There were a variety of programs ranging from surgery, optometry, dental, supplementary feeding, medical outreach, and clothing & blanket distribution. There were over fifty volunteers here at any given time.

SAWS office was located at Bangkok Adventist Hospital, with Richard Hall as the Director, later Warren Scale became his Assistant.

19 JUNE 1980

SINCE 1980

19 June 1980

SAWS was officially registered under Ministry of Interior.

Richard Hall was SAWS Director until August 1983, when Warren Scale took over.

13 May 1984

SAWS was changed to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and so coincided with greater emphasis in community development by ADRA worldwide.

From this time until the present day there are many milestones and significant events that have taken place.

Initially ADRA Thailand was known for delivering water systems, health projects, addressing issue of opium production and addiction and rural development projects right across Thailand.

One of the longest lasting ADRA projects globally has been the Keep Girls Safe project. Started under the leadership of Greg Young and other great supports this shelter has protected hundreds of girls and raised awareness of human trafficking and child exploitation across northern Thailand.

The Asian Tsunami in 2004 shifted the focus for some time to the emergency response and recovery along the south western coastline.

ADRA Thailand was later able to receive large European Union funding for work inside of the temporary shelters for displaced persons from Myanmar and focused on education and livelihoods for these vulnerable populations.