Tearfund Summer Appeal 2024
Organised by TearfundThis summer, your fundraising can help enable churches around the world to transform their communities. Join us in fundraising today.
Story
At Tearfund, we believe the ‘life in all its fullness’ that Jesus offers is not just a distant dream, but an achievable reality for every person in the world who is experiencing the overwhelming effects of extreme poverty.
Transforming Communities is an innovative training programme that supports local churches worldwide, including in South Sudan where Mary lives, to lead community development that lasts.
Having fled her home in South Sudan with her five children due to conflict, Mary and her family spent four years in a refugee camp in Uganda before returning home. But upon return, Mary found her home had been destroyed.
‘I found all my huts had been burnt down... My heart aches because of the loss of all our belongings, including my cattle. These were all taken away from me by force, and I will never get them back.’
Looking for help, Mary approached her local church.
‘A neighbour showed me to a nearby church and I started praying there. I heard about this organisation, Tearfund, that trains people in personal growth and development when they face difficult times.
‘The organisation taught us about group savings and farming... They started a Transforming Communities programme, and I was selected from the church to attend the training.
Mary explained the change this brought:
‘Before I did the training, I lacked confidence in myself. But, after gaining knowledge through the training, I can now express myself and have developed leadership skills.’
Transforming Communities is not just about changing a life – it’s about breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger, rebuilding families, championing sustainable businesses, supporting people to raise issues with decision makers, and establishing a lasting, hope-filled future for all.
Your fundraising of £73 could equip three church leaders with our Transforming Communities training, leading to lasting solutions like building sustainable waterpoints, schools and businesses.
Poverty is not God's plan. You are. Your support this summer will help Tearfund’s local partners as they work to transform communities like Mary’s around the world.