Monthly Updates
September 2026
"PEACE, I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE YOU. i DO NOT GIVE TO YOU AS THE WORLD GIVES. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED AND DO NOT BE AFRAID."
~JOHN 14:27
A farmer’s turning point
Zewde Sumago is a small land farmer in rural Ethiopia, where he lives with his wife and five children. Like so many in his local community, he was struggling with decreasing crop growth, even though he was investing time and money into chemical fertilisers. Despite his efforts, pests and poor soil continued to ruin any success.
In late October 2025, our local partner Terepeza Development Association (TDA) invited Zewde into a series of practical trainings (conservation agriculture, household savings, making organic fertiliser with worms, and post-harvest crop protection) that would help increase his crop yield, improve the health of his soil, and protect his crops as they grew into harvest time. The programme helped provide items like coffee and avocado seedlings, improved grass seedlings, beans, and healthy worms, which would all kick off his journey into sustainable agriculture.
Immediately after the training was complete, Zewde went straight to his field to apply what he had learned. One of the principles of his training was planting a variety of crops, so he planted a mix of maize, sweet potatoes, peppers, and bananas. Nine months later, the difference was visible. When he harvested his maize, the plot with new methods produced two to three times more than his previous methods of farming. He noticed clear improvements in the health of his soil (more moisture and structure, better nutrient retention, and more resilience). The soil of the earth had turned a rich, dark black, or as he put it, “full of life”.
Zewde also experimented with planting yams alongside his other crops to make better use of space. That decision brought in an extra 10,000 Ethiopian birr (ETB) by selling the yams at the market. This increase in income allowed him to provide his five children with greater security and comfort.
His success was quickly noticed by the neighbours, and Zewde proudly walked them through his fields, sharing what he had done. His neighbours quickly began using his methods to try and replicate his results.
Today, the community is asking TDA for the return of the project so more farmers can be trained.
For Zewde, conservation agriculture is the “key for his family’s future because it creates healthy soil.”
He plans to expand his new learnings across a much larger portion of his farm, turning a single trial plot into a lasting foundation for his household and community.
This project helps hundreds of farmers, like Zewde, increase and sustain their harvest. We are grateful for supporters like you that help make this possible. If you would like to support this project, you can do so through the link below.
Nepal Flood Response
UPDATE:
On August 26, a massive collapse of ice, rock, and debris surged into a mountain river along the border of Nepal and Tibet.
The floods:
- destroyed more than 7,500 homes, government buildings, shops, schools, churches, and bridges
- claimed 1,536 lives
- Left over 4,894 people still missing
- displaced 3,629 people
- destroyed more than 1,800 lots of land
- More than 84,000 people have been affected
The devastation is immense.
How Tearfund Ireland is responding
We are responding through our Tearfund Family. Members of the Tearfund Family have been working with local partners in Nepal for many years. These partners supported communities in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepali earthquake, and they know how to get essential items to the communities most affected.
Since the flood swept through Nepal last month, our partners have been working hard to help families and communities impacted by the devastating damage it left behind.
Our partners have provided:
- over 400 households with food, non-food items, and hygiene kits
- over 75 individuals with food, non-food items, and hygiene kits
We are still responding. You can still help. Pray with us. Helps support our responses by donating today.
Join us in prayer:
Please pray for the people impacted by this disaster.
Please pray for the first responders and those searching for survivors.
Please pray for the local partners who are providing immediate assistance.
Please pray for the vulnerable children who may have lost family members and whose lives have been turned upside down by this disaster.
Please pray for the local churches that come alongside community organisations to help meet the needs of others.
When Helping Helps
Join us on 20th October for When Helping Helps, a thought-provoking webinar featuring Brian Fikkert, Krish Kandiah, Emma Lynch, Stephen Ucembe, Justin Humphreys, and Tony Lewry. Together, they will explore how churches, charities, and supporters can make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children by promoting safe, family-based care.
The newest episode of the Tearfund Ireland podcast is available!
We hope you have enjoyed listening to our new podcast and our first series, 'Caring for Children Overseas,' hosted by Church Engagement and Education Manager Emma Lynch. This series investigates the findings of the new Tearfund Ireland research, 'Caring for Children Overseas,' and discusses how Christians in Ireland engage.
Our final episode features Stephen Ucembe, the Regional Advocacy Manager of Hope and Homes for children based in Kenya. Stephen is a child development expert who spent much of his childhood in an orphanage in Kenya. Stephen works on care reform policy, advocacy, and legislation in Africa and is a sought-after speaker around the world.
In this episode, Stephen discusses his strong conviction that children belong in families and how our giving, our volunteering, and our partnerships should be towards strengthening families rather than separating them.
