Monthly Updates
June 2026
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BECAUSE THE POOR ARE PLUNDERED, BECAUSE THE NEEDY
GROAN, I WILL NOW ARISE. " SAYS THE LORD; "I WILL PLACE
HIM IN THE SAFETY FOR WHICH HE LONGS."
~Psalm 12:5
Pray for Venezuela
On Wednesday, 24th June, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake was quickly followed by a 7.5- magnitude quake, causing major destruction in the capital city of Caracas and across the state of La Guaira.
The devastation is widespread. The number of casualties is rising by the hour. Life has changed for hundreds of thousands of people in a matter of minutes. Venezuela was already facing humanitarian needs. People are doing what they can in the search and rescue efforts, trying to locate survivors. International aid is being committed.
Join us in prayer:
Pray for all the people who are searching for loved ones as they deal with the trauma of the devastation.
Pray for the first responders. There are trained responders, and there are neighbours helping neighbours. Pray for safety, strength, and endurance as they search for people trapped in the rubble.
Tearfund Ireland is monitoring this crisis. We will update our website if we have a mechanism to get aid funding to support the relief efforts.
Dóchas' EU Presidency Launch
On 1st July 2026 Ireland took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. In this time of geopolitical uncertainty, this will be an important period.
Dóchas (the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations) hosted an event in late June with representatives of the EU, Irish Aid and global activists, aimed at highlighting the central and critical role that civil society organisations play in international development cooperation. Tearfund Ireland is a member of Dóchas and Emma Lynch represented the organisation at the event.
Challenging those present with the words ‘We are looking for partners, not patrons,’ Dr Moses Isooba, the Executive Director of the Ugandan Civil Society Organisation Platform, advocated strongly for more local ownership on how decisions on development aid are made.
What are Dóchas members asking the Irish government to prioritise over the next six months? Access more information from Dóchas website below.
We have a winner!
This year was our 5th annual 5-a-Side Church Blitz and despite the intermittent bouts of wind and rain, it was a great day!
Congrats to Betel Dublin for taking home the cup! The cup runner-ups were Betania Faith. Solid Rick Drogheda brought home the Shield, and Expectation Church were the Shield runner-up. Matthew Berrigan won the No Bounce Competition this year, and last year's champ, Alex Vasile, came in second.
We are grateful for all 12 teams that came out to play! We were privileged to have Spirit Radio's Nikki Hayes on hand for part of the day to do some interviews. We are also grateful to Shelbourne FC and Spirit Radio for their sponsorship of this year's tourney.
This annual event has been a great opportunity that goes beyond good competition. It allows churches an opportunity to deepen friendships within their own community, and build relationships with other churches. Over the years the 5-a-Side Church Blitz has brought together hundreds of people to support the work of Tearfund Ireland as they enjoy a day of competitive football.
Global Conversations
Tearfund Ireland is grateful whenever we have the opportunity to bring young people together to have conversations with those who are most affected by challenging global justice issues. At the beginning of June, Christian Unions from around the Dublin area came together in conversation with Stephen Ucembe co-founder of the Kenyan Society of Care Leavers. Stephen is a social worker and child development expert with lived experience of growing up in an orphanage in Kenya. Stephen shared openly and honestly about his experience and his role in the growing global shift away from the use of orphanages and residential institutions to care for vulnerable children to family-based care models.
You can hear more from Stephen below.
Everesting for Tearfund Ireland!
You might have heard about Baxter Ching Yuan Oh participating in Pedal Against Poverty by taking on the Everesting challenge to raise funds in support of Tearfund Ireland.
This month, Baxter took to Cratloe Wood and took on the Everesting Challenge. To complete the challenge, he would have to climb the same hill as many times as it would take to achieve the equivalent height of Mt Everest – 8,849 metres! And this was all to be done in one day- meaning 33 times up and down the hill he has chosen. He was able to stop for breaks, but Baxter estimated it would take him about 18 hours of cycling.
On 13th June, Baxter and friends headed down to Cratloe Wood at 4am to start his challenge. All in all, he achieved 3,951 meters-- what an amazing feat! Our CEO Sean Copeland was on hand to watch Baxter accomplish this amazing task and even brought a little stove to cook some eggs for protein support.
We are deeply grateful and impressed by Baxter and his tremendous efforts, raising over €1,600 in support of Tearfund Ireland through Pedal Against Poverty. You can continue to support Baxter with his fundraising efforts HERE.
We would love to see more pedalling against poverty this summer! Pedal Against Poverty is meant for all ages and levels. Set your own course and pace. We'd love to have you join us this summer.
Register your interest HERE
