Field Stories

We praise and thank God for the many stories of families and communities who are freed from poverty thanks to your generous support and our local partners. These are their stories.

Stories of Transformation

Sign-up to receive stories of hope and inspiration you won’t find anywhere else. See for yourself how God is using your giving in miraculous ways.

When a devastating landslide struck Wayanad district in Kerala, India in 2024, it swept through communities without warning. Shylaja, her husband, and their three children were at home when torrents of mud and water rushed into their house in Chooralmala. They had seconds to escape, climbing to a neighbour’s terrace for safety. Moments later, another landslide destroyed what was left of their home.

For years, Kwabo Marungu and his wife Katungu Musoni struggled to produce enough food for their family in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Farming on depleted soil while caring for children left little room to dream or plan. Poor harvests made it difficult to buy school supplies or meet daily needs.

In Mbui Nzau, Kenya, deforestation and costly fuel threaten families’ livelihoods. Many households rely on firewood and charcoal, straining forests and household budgets. When Fadhili Trust, Tearfund’s local partner, began training young people to build efficient rocket stoves, 25-year-old Joshua saw an opportunity not only to earn income but also to restore creation.

When Veronica joined the Ujirani Mwema (Good Neighbours) Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), she was a widow facing the uncertainties of raising her son alone. Her husband had passed away suddenly in December 2021, leaving her without financial security.

After his release from prison, he turned his life around for his community

After serving four years in prison, Waubun of Zagime First Nation began a new chapter as caretaker of the community’s sacred buffalo herd. Through hard work, faith, and perseverance, he is rebuilding trust, restoring cultural heritage, and helping his people heal.

Gununo Stadium Church in Segno, Ethiopia, has long preached God’s word, but Pastor Mesfin Yacob saw the need for more. Surrounded by poverty, he sought a way to serve the whole community. Tearfund’s Church and Community Transformation (CCT) training became the solution, equipping the church to make a lasting impact.

A filled stomach and a filled spirit

When conflict and the pandemic left Emmanuel without work, he nearly gave up hope. Through a church-led Village Savings group, he rebuilt his livelihood, bought goats, and started a shop. Today, his faith and determination are opening new doors for his family’s future.

Let the Soil Decide

When Kavugho and her husband disagreed on trying conservation agriculture, they put it to the test. The results were astonishing: a 477% increase in maize harvest, and a transformed outlook on farming, faith, and the future.

The Church that Shone the Light and Hope of Jesus

When her husband passed away, Veronica Msongo in Tanzania was left with no land, no income, and little hope. But through a Village Savings and Loans group run by her local church, she found a supportive community and the means to rebuild her life. With new income, farmland, and even a new home, Veronica now thrives and helps others discover the same light and hope of Jesus.

The hands of Jesus that built a beggar a house

Once a roadside beggar in Ethiopia, Aselefech had lost everything—her husband, business, and home. Through Tearfund’s Church and Community Transformation program, her local church built her a house, provided food, and helped her start a business. Today, she earns an income, her children are clothed and fed, and hope has returned.

No longer living on the sidelines

In drought-prone Tanzania, Beatrice Zakayo long felt powerless against poverty and poor harvests. But when she joined a Village Savings and Loans group through her church, she discovered new farming techniques and a supportive community. Her harvests multiplied, her family gained food security, and she even bought a cow. Today, Beatrice is now an equal decision-maker in her home!

Hope is brewing in this village in India!

When a landslide swept through Chooralmala, India, Basheer lost the tea shop he had run for nearly 30 years. Grief and hopelessness set in—until friends, family, and Tearfund’s partner EFICOR came alongside him. With their support, and a vital gift to restart his business, Basheer rebuilt both his shop and his spirit.

One simple “yes” led to resounding food security

When drought and market struggles left Semayat’s family hungry, she said “yes” to trying conservation agriculture through Tearfund’s partner TDA. The results were astonishing—her maize harvest grew eightfold, the quality improved, and she gained both food security and extra income. Now, with four months’ food stored, she’s planning to expand to new crops and teach others.

Emergency food relief from Tearfund was a lifeline for single mother Elizabeth in South Sudan, who, after her husband went missing, relied on their aid. This support not only provided immediate relief but also brought hope, helping Elizabeth see a brighter future despite her hardships.

This church offers food, housing, and education to its community

Under Pastor Matheos’ leadership, Bantu Church has turned its vision into action, tackling urgent community needs and fostering sustainable development. Their projects include a successful Conservation Agriculture farm, educational sponsorships, and housing for widows. With ambitious goals for the future, Bantu Church is a powerful example of faith in action.

Florence Now Sees A Future

Gunfire echoes in the distance, yet hope still rises. In the DRC, conflict and hunger have displaced hundreds of thousands. Through the local church, Tearfund is helping people like Florence—widowed, hungry, and longing for dignity—by providing food security, business training, and the love of Jesus. You can be part of the change.

A rice-only diet starves the body and soul

Imagine living with nothing but rice to eat every day. For Rami Paharin and her community, this was their reality until Tearfund’s partner EFICOR introduced kitchen gardens. With new gardening skills and seeds, Rami began growing a variety of vegetables, transforming her family's diet and her outlook on life. This change not only improved her nutrition but also restored her sense of control and dignity.

From lean season to lavish greens

In South Sudan, the lean season brought hunger and despair to Tabitha’s family, leaving them with little food and no income. But with the introduction of Tearfund’s kitchen garden initiative, Tabitha found a way to break the cycle of poverty. The garden provided her with a steady supply of nutritious crops and a means to earn money, giving her the hope and strength to keep going.

After losing her little brother to the war, she knew she had to flee

Agnes, a 30-year-old Sudanese refugee, fled the violence of war-torn Sudan only to face a new crisis in South Sudan. With her home destroyed and her family struggling to survive, Agnes relies on minimal food assistance to care for her seven children. So Tearfund is on the ground providing emergency relief and working toward long-term solutions.

When the world has changed, where do you go?

It starts with a box

After fleeing from the relentless civil war in Sudan, Lula Adam Musa and her four children found themselves in a desolate refugee camp in South Sudan. Struggling to feed her family, Lula’s hope was nearly gone — until the arrival of emergency food aid from Tearfund. This unexpected support not only filled their stomachs but rekindled their hope.

The Necessity of Change in this Economic Earthquake

Veronica struggles to feed her seven children as the economy collapses around her. Grappling with the weight of providing for her family, she finds hope through a savings group. Discover how this initiative renewed her family’s financial stability and transformed their future.

The Rock that saved: How a stone wall transformed this man’s life!

In the rugged hills of Badudha, India, Gonga and his family were on the brink of despair, struggling to survive on rocky, eroding farmland. But a simple solution from EFICOR, Tearfund Canada’s partner, changed everything. By constructing stone bunds, they transformed not just the land, but the future for Gonga’s family.

Water from the Rock: The life-giving power of water

In the dry, barren land of rural Kenya, John Musyoka Mwangangi and his family face a constant struggle to sustain their plantation. Yet, a nearby spring offers a lifeline, transforming their prospects. Through Tearfund’s Nature Positive (N+) program, John’s farm is being restored, bringing renewed hope and a vision for a better future.