Blog | Unto.com

Humanitarian 101: Getting Started

Humanitarian works begins by meeting the tangible needs of people around the world. It looks like meals, clean water, clothing, blankets, hygiene kits, and more. But it does not stop there. Learn how your humanitarian work does more.

Expressing Kindness in the Storm

No one expects to watch their home wash away in a storm. Read about how two disaster victims in different parts of the world showed kindness to others while recovering from their own tragedy and loss.

Leaving a Legacy of Faith Part 1

In these uncertain times family and faith feel more precious than ever. We want to hold our loved ones tight. We want to help those closest to us navigate the uncertainties they feel — teaching them to trust the One who holds their present and has plans for their future.

Going on Mission

Do you feel called to serve people around the world? Maybe you love culture and traveling to other places. And you thrive on conversations and connections. Continue reading for six ideas for serving others while staying close to home.

When We All Work Together

What can I do? It’s the first question we ask when someone we love is hurting. It’s the first thing we wonder when disaster, injustice, or violence headlines the nightly news. When we work together, with each of us doing our part, we can have a profound impact on people both locally and globally.

Give Hope in the Midst of Crisis

On World Refugee Day, we are reminded that for millions turbulence and instability are normal life. But we can meet the needs of suffering people both near and far.

Talking With Kids About Suffering

Right now we are all touched by the tremendous pain and suffering our world faces. It is hard to take it all in — especially for children. But as parents, teachers, and caregivers we can use the current events to teach our kids healthy ways to deal with pain and suffering.

Freedom to Life

“Before we had a water well in our village, there were only two things we could do,” she said. “We could walk 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) to try to get clean water in another village and carry it back. Or we could drink dirty water if we could find it in the hills.” But all this changed with a new well.

When Their Feet Are Still Bare

The little boy has a brand-new coat ... but his feet are still bare. There is still more to do! Our partners have developed a relationship with this little boy and his single father. Unto works through local partners dedicated to long-term relationships and spiritual investment in people’s lives.

A Tale of Two Girls

When you walk into the tiny school room where Anotida learns, 63 little faces peer up from their desks. Just two years ago they were faces that reflected malnutrition and neglect. Now they are healthy and eager to learn.

Sight for the (Almost) Blind

For many of 1,200 people recently served through a vision clinic in Zambia, the eye exam was visibly frustrating. But when volunteers handed them the correct pair of eyeglasses, for the first time in decades they could see!

Reporting Your Impact: Disaster Relief

Because of support from people like you, victims of Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael, and Cyclone Idai experienced the kindness of Jesus through critical aid and the help of volunteers.

Starving for Hope

When you consider world hunger, and the 800 million people who struggle to find enough food, it feels like we can do so little. Yet Jesus reminds us that small things matter.

Hope in the War Zone

When living in a war-torn country, hope can be hard to come by — especially if one lives in a place experiencing what the United Nations recently called, “the worst humanitarian crisis of the century.” Where is hope under such conditions?

The Kindness of God

Mubita could hardly believe his eyes. The broken down well in his Zambian village finally worked. He had started to lose hope. People came to his village before, promising to repair the well. But the work was never done. Mubita was surprised that the Unto team was faithful to their promise of repairing a well. Their kindness made an impression on him.

Travel Internationally Carrying Only a Backpack

Are you a light packer? Or do you stuff way too many items into your suitcase only to realize you did not need half the things you packed? If you’re looking to improve your packing practices — or just want to lighten your load the next time you travel — learn from these packing tips.

I Once Was Blind

Gladys just wanted to be able to read her Bible. Over time her eyes had deteriorated to the point that she struggled to make out any of the blurry words. And thanks to generous partners, she now has a new pair of glasses that allows her to see and read once again.

You Are Enough

“I have no choice but to be enough.” Her words were strong and resolute. Like so many women around the world, Ruba feels the weight of being “enough.”

21 Seconds Can Change a Life

A child dies from a water-related illness every 21 seconds. A startling statistic, yet these are someone’s children. Someone’s grandchildren. The reality is staggering, especially considering most water-born illnesses are preventable.

When New Life Sprouts

In the Mutare district of Zimbabwe, farming families struggled to survive due to the lack of reliable irrigation. They were only able to grow crops a few months out of the year. The situation began to change when they received help planting a community garden at the local school.

Hope in the Darkness

“God is working in this [refugee] camp if you look for it,” our staff member shared. In the darkest places, God is at work. And amidst darkness and despair, hope shines through.

Serving Our Neighbors

After both parents died, Marco came to live at a children’s home supported by our national field partner in southern Africa. When he first arrived at the home, Marco was very malnourished. But after time, love, and lots of nourishing meals, Marco recovered. Today he is a strong boy in excellent health.

Water Is Life

Grace Pule has seen firsthand the devastation that unsafe water brings. In need of water, which was scarce in the region, families often had no choice but to drink disease-ridden water with the potential to kill. Much has changed now that the village has clean water.

God With Us

“The kindness you have shown me today I have not known for years. It is as if God Himself has visited me.” Helena, a 96-year-old woman from Rwanda, shared these words with our team members when she received the gift of meals and clothes.

She Desires a Better Country

A’isha lives with her teenage daughter in a tent at the edge of a refugee camp in the Middle East. She is Syrian, a war widow who lost her husband to the violence still ravaging her country. People say she bubbles over with joy.

Plant Seeds of Generosity with Kids

Even young kids can begin to grasp the concept of generosity. Christmastime provides a natural opportunity. Using a little creativity, a proactive approach to teaching generosity can be fun and nurture kids’ periodic instinct to be kind to one another.

Together for the Hungry

Partnerships form the heart of humanitarian work at Unto. Together our impact is multiplied as we relieve suffering, restore dignity, and reveal the hope of Jesus to people in need.

But Now They See

“I fall down a lot” sounded suspicious to everyone present — until they tested his sight. The boy was serious when he told the doctor he fell down a lot. At 9 years old he was covered in bruises, because he literally could not see things right in front of him.

God’s Work After Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. The people of Puerto Rico were hit hard. But God mobilized many to come alongside them to relieve suffering, restore dignity, and reveal hope.

The Ones Who Came Back

When people who follow Jesus come to a village, get to know the people, return to install a water well that is free and easy to use, and then continue to build relationships with them — that is a revolutionary concept.

An Open Letter to Refugees

To the people who have been forced to flee their homes: Today, as many around the world observe World Refugee Day, you are on my mind. In the midst of the uncertainty you are experiencing as a refugee, I am praying for you.

Accessing the End of the Earth

People who live in Chad often walk miles and miles to the nearest water source, usually a hand-pumped well in a larger village. They stand in line, sometimes for hours to collect water that may be unclean because of the shallow depth of the well. A new deep well changes lives in this village!

Someone Packed This Meal

In a small Tanzanian village, a boy pauses to smile. Steam rises from the lunch he holds — a lunch he is about to enjoy. Behind the boy is a shack that functions as a kitchen and serving area for the school he attends. The meals prepared here are often the only meal these children eat each day.

Sweaters in Summer

As a humanitarian aid organization, Unto™ strives to serve those who work with and among refugees and others by providing what they need, when they need it, how they need it. To this end, our local field team members have the opportunity to custom-select the humanitarian assistance they receive from us.

Water: Carrying the Burden Part 2

Without access to water, how much would you really use? Because safe, drinkable water fills our glass at the simple turn of a faucet, we rarely consider the important role water plays in our daily lives. If we were required to physically collect the water we use daily, our consumption would scale down dramatically.

Water: Carrying the Burden Part 1

Our lives overflow with busyness. We focus time and attention on our work, fun activities, and our hobbies. This list of pursuits doesn’t include gathering water. However, millions of people, mostly women and children, spend countless hours collecting water for their families.

View All Stories