Last Sept 5, 2020, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) held the very first concert of the Stronger Together: The Concert Series, an online fundraiser in partnership with the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Strong Together is ADRA’s partnership with the Adventist church, and represents the programs and projects funded by both institutions implemented within the Philippines. All proceeds for this concert will go into ADRA’s response to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19.
The Philippines is leading in terms of number of positive COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia. Through the donations earned from this fundraiser, ADRA helps to ease and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the Filipino people. This project has two main beneficiaries: medical front liners and vulnerable communities with a high number of positive cases in the country. To the medical front liners, ADRA seeks to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectants, alongside providing psychosocial support in partnership with the Adventist University of the Philippines’ Department of Psychology. To the communities, ADRA seeks to provide forty-five (45) foot-operated hand-washing facilities in areas with dense crowds.
“We may be far from home, but we do not forget our countrymen.” – FANA Ministries
The concert was presented by Filipino Adventists in Nordic Area (FANA), specifically from Oslo, Norway. Though they may be far away, their hearts are ever close to their homeland — The Philippines. Stunning renditions of song and music were presented, all for the glory of God, who surely aided in bringing in donations for the cause of ADRA in partnership with the Adventist church.
This concert is a reminder there is hope. There will be healing. There will be joy again, when the sun rises and the night is over. By singing songs of hope and through generous donations, FANA Ministries, ADRA, the Adventist Church, and other institutions involved in this concerts, have faith they can help mitigate and reach out to the target beneficiaries of this fundraiser.