Monthly Updates
October 2026
"THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE DARKNESS HAS NOT OVERCOME IT. "
~JOHN 1:5
Nothing Better Than Family
In many ways, hers is a common story. Her parents were extremely poor. The family struggled to survive. There were also deep issues that eventually led to parental separation. Facing these challenges and extreme poverty, her mother put Sreythorn into the RCI with the hope that she would at least receive an education, regular meals, and an opportunity in life. Sreythorn can’t remember exactly but thinks she was seven years old at the time.
Sreythorn began by saying she is thankful for the food and shelter given her by the RCI. But the problems and hurt she experienced and continues to work through far outweigh any good. As she looks back on those days, she said that the RCI was run as a business. And the children were the product.
She described how she was taken to...
"Bursting with Life: Reviving Soil and Soul"
In October, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland launched its 2026/2027 World Development Appeal, “Bursting with Life: Reviving Soil and Soul”.
In 2025, Tearfund Ireland was invited to join this annual appeal of the Presbyterian Church, alongside our Tearfund colleagues based in Northern Ireland, and Christian Aid.
For this 2026 appeal the Tearfund organisations presented the lead project. We are thrilled that the vermiculture component of our programme in Ethiopia, implemented by our local partner, Terepeza Development Association (TDA), was selected to be this year's lead project.
TDA works with families and small-hold farmers, providing training in conservation agriculture and vermiculture to improve crops, increase yield, and nourish the soil. TDA also supports local churches in an approach called Church and Community Transformation, in which the local church identifies the needs of its community and seeks to collaboratively address those needs.
Vermiculture, the use of worms to create rich compost, is an effective way to create natural, quality compost that improves the soil fertility and therefore the growth of crops.
Through conservation agriculture and vermiculture, yields are increasing by more than 50%, helping families to feed themselves, overcome poverty, and transform their communities.
New Podcast Episode Available!
On our newest episode, Tearfund Ireland CEO Sean Copeland sits down with Public Engagement Coordinator Ella Switzer as he shares touching and inspiring stories from people participating in the programmes of our local partner, M'Lup Russey (MRO). He also gives an in-depth look at the different ways MRO works to protect vulnerable children and promote family-based care.
Voices for Change:
Every Voice Matters
Voices for Change:
Hope in a Shared World
