Tearfund gives aid and support to people living in poverty. I have seen children being educated so they don't have to follow their mothers into prostitution, learning that they can have choices. I have watched mothers dying of aids as they are given advice so they don't pass the disease to their babies. I have seen street kids, from the favelas of Brazil, as they play football and are given an education and support, so they don't automatically follow their friends into drug abuse and violent gang-membership; they are shown they have a choice. Often people living in poverty feel trapped, with no way to escape the vicious cycle of child following parent into hardship, slavery, death. Tearfund shows people how to break that cycle, how to acquire the skills they need so they have choices and are no longer trapped.

 Tearfund meets people where they are, and offers them the support they need. They use workers within the countries where they work, ensuring that the money reaches the people who need help. I want to be part of that, and I hope you will too.

I have persuaded my mother that together we will give up some time in our busy lives, and learn a little of Psalm 22, every day, throughout Lent. Psalm 22 is a long poem, written originally in Hebrew, so I will attempt to learn it in Hebrew, Mum will learn it in English. It's quite a challenge, and will be a mental marathon for both of us. Please encourage us by donating to our JustGiving page. We want to raise as much money as possible for Tearfund, so they can keep helping people, supporting them, helping them have better lives. I trust Tearfund to use our money wisely.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.