Monthly Updates
July 2026
“I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you, you will
bear much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing.”
~John 15:5
Sophea's Journey
Sophea grew up in deep poverty in Battambang, Cambodia. Her basic needs often went unmet, and regular school attendance was not possible because of the long journey on often impassable roads. At six years old, her family made the difficult decision to place Sophea in an orphanage because they felt she would receive better care and an education. Sophea recalls her time in orphanage care as days filled with crying and a deep yearning to be with her family.
During her time in the orphanage, she connected with youth club activities and life skills training facilitated by our local partner, M'Lup Russey (MRO). MRO provides youth clubs and training to young people living in orphanages to help them build confidence, plan for their future, and develop important life skills.
Eventually Sophea was reintegrated with her family while studying at university but faced another hardship when her family’s finances worsened and her father became seriously ill. She considered leaving university and returning to the orphanage. With support from the MRO and the Careleavers Network, Sophea received counselling, mentoring, emergency support, and further training that helped rebuild her confidence and keep her in school.
“My life began to change when I joined MRO. I participated in many training sessions that broadened my perspective and strengthened my confidence. I learned about money management, early marriage prevention, online sexual abuse, self-esteem, mental health, reproductive health, goal setting, legal documentation, leadership, and how to adapt to life in communities. These trainings helped me understand my values, respect others, and see the importance of inclusion and child protection. I became more aware of myself and the people around me.”
Sophea has become a source of inspiration for her peers. She shares her experiences with classmates and young adults preparing to leave orphanage care, helping them understand the importance of training, resilience, and confidence.
Today, she is in her second year at the National University of Battambang studying public administration and governance, volunteering with MRO, and encouraging other young people to believe in themselves and plan for their futures.
"Through MRO, I discovered the joy of helping others. I learned to speak with confidence, share my experiences, and listen with compassion. Most importantly, I learned that giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to grow."
MRO works to keep children in families, prepare children living in orphanages for reentering life in the community, and raise community awareness for the protection of vulnerable children. If you would like to help more children like Sophea, you can support the work of our local partners below.
Our 2025-2026 Annual Report is Here!
The past few years have revealed how people across the world are vulnerable to crises, conflict, and disasters. But these challenges have also presented opportunities for Christians around the world to step in and display the compassion, love, and goodness of God. Tearfund Ireland works alongside local partners in Ethiopia, Lebanon, and Cambodia. These partners are committed to enabling vulnerable individuals to overcome poverty, withstand crises, and transform their communities. You, too, are a key partner in this effort.
Our newly formatted Annual Report provides an overview of how we are working alongside our partners in sustainable development, humanitarian relief, advocacy, and awareness raising here in Ireland. We are grateful for the ways you walk alongside us through your prayers, encouragement, financial support, and awareness-raising. We hope you find our 2025-2026 Annual Report an encouraging overview of the past year.
EU PRESIDENCY PROGRAMME SUBGRANT
We are delighted to share that Tearfund Ireland was selected to receive a Global Citizenship Education sub-grant through Dóchas and Ireland's EU Presidency programme. This significant opportunity, granted only to a select number of Irish INGOs, will enable us to deliver an exciting new initiative throughout the autumn. Over the coming months, we'll be engaging with young adults in upcoming events and Christian spaces across Ireland, including Kinfire festival and the Ploughing Championships. Through video interviews and podcasts, we will talk to young adult Christians about what hope in our shared world means to them. We are excited to have this opportunity and look forward to sharing updates and highlights with you along the way.
"Voices for Change"
This autumn, you will begin to see Voices for Change across Tearfund Ireland. Bringing together three connected threads, Voices for Change invites supporters, young adults, churches and more to explore how every voice can be used to help overcome poverty, withstand crisis and transform communities. Through stories from our local partners, biblical insights, and hope-filled conversations, you will discover how you can use your voice to help effect lasting change.
EVERY VOICE MATTERS
Our autumn campaign, "Voices for Change: Every Voice Matters", will share stories of impact and change from our programmes in Ethiopia, Cambodia and Lebanon. You will also hear Irish voices passionate for justice and more from our dedicated local partners. In the coming months, we will explore why we need more voices calling for transformative, lasting change and how you can support and respond to help them impact the most vulnerable.
HOPE IN A SHARED WORLD
As the world faces the impact of conflict, climate change, injustice, inequality, and reduction in overseas aid budgets, our new engagement project, "Voices for Change: Hope in a Shared World", seeks to create meaningful opportunities for young adult Christians. Through hopeful messages of impact from around the world, we will facilitate conversations for young adults to explore what hope means in today’s interconnected world and how faith communities can respond. Funded by the EU and Dóchas, "Voices for Change: Hope in a Shared World" will capture and amplify young adult voices advocating for global solidarity in Christian faith communities in Ireland.
HARVEST PACK
Our 2026 harvest pack, "Voices for Change", is a sermon resource available to church and ministry leaders. The sermon explores the story of Bartimaeus and introduces other voices from Tearfund Ireland’s work who are spearheading change where they are in Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Lebanon. Bartimaeus used his voice to step out, take risks and see transformation and change. Just as the crowd took the simple action to help Bartimaeus to his feet and walk alongside him as he moved forward to Jesus. What small thing can we do to see people begin the journey to overcome poverty, withstand crises and transform their communities?
