A woman famous for giving birth to a baby while trapped in a tree during intense flooding in Mozambique visited the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) international headquarters on Thursday, July 27.  During her visit, ADRA pledged an additional US$250,000 worth of medicines to aid Mozambique.

“The world will never forget the video showing the helicopter hovering over that tree, picking up this beautiful little baby with her mother,” said Ralph S. Watts, Jr., ADRA President. “We want to pay tribute to you for your courage,” he said.  Baby Rosita was born on March 1 and rescued later that day.

Chibure and Rosita visited ADRA to record a segment for the television show “ADRA Today” and to learn about the new grant.  Mother and daughter toured the United States for ten days to raise funds for their devastated country that suffered its worst flooding in 30 years during February and March. Mozambique, already one of the world’s poorest countries, faces US$250 million in reconstruction costs.

More than one million people remain homeless, reported Marcos G. Namashulua, U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique. He accompanied Chibure to the ADRA interview where he outlined the tremendous needs following the floods.  The country finally received US$61 million on Monday (July 31) that donors had pledged during April’s European Union meetings. More money is expected from private donors.

ADRA was the first relief organization on hand in suburban areas of the Maputo Province after the floods and has assisted Mozambique since 1987.