1. When the ‘Chicken Dance’ made it to Kenya

…and was performed by these adorable toddlers!

2. Kissia’s reaction to seeing the ocean for the first time

The ocean is not far for Kissia’s home in Brazil, but poverty has prevented her family from making the journey. She’d always dreamed of seeing the sea, so Tearfund’s partner Compassion made it happen!

“I hardly slept well, thinking about what it would be like to see the sea for the first time,” she says. “It’s much bigger and more beautiful than I imagined.”

3. Double trouble in Peru

Twin boys Marcos and Isaac from Peru are double the blessing (and double the cuteness!) for their family.

4. Tambourine trouble in the Dominican Republic

When you want to play the drums at church but get assigned the tambourine instead.

5. That one friend who can’t contain their excitement…

Everyone is looking forward to their lunch at the Compassion centre, but Gerard from Togo is really looking forward to it.

6. This ‘no paparazzi’ moment in Ethiopia

Little Merdokios’s reaction to being asked to join in the family photo is every two-year-old everywhere!

7. Stop! Triplet time.

Meet Patience, Grace and Samuel: possibly the sassiest triplets in Uganda! The trio has an incredible story surrounding their birth. Their mother didn’t know she was expecting multiples and endured labour on the back of a motorbike! Today, the siblings are sponsored by a set of triplets in Australia.

8. A first birthday party in Indonesia

Aurel and Hansen’s families cannot afford to celebrate their children’s birthdays. But, this year, for the first time, the children experienced the joy of a party and a special gift from Tearfund’s partner Compassion.

9. When Sienna met Praise in Kenya

Since they were small, Sienna and Praise have taken photographs of themselves holding each other’s photo. In 2017, their relationship stepped off the pages of their letters and into their memories when they met each other for the first time.

10. Praying hard in Uganda

Nicholas and his friends say grace before their meal—reminding us all to have a child-like faith.

I regularly give to Tearfund, so what?

Friday, 22 October 2021 — Carl Adams

Tearfund’s ministry is about creating positive impacts in people’s lives but this would not be possible without the generous support of Kiwis.  Your donation is not just about how much money gets to where it is needed, but the level of positive change it creates.  I want to present impact through the lens of stewardship, and asking the question: “so what?”

Why periods are no longer a red light

Monday, 11 October 2021 — Compassion International

Today is International Day of the Girl Child where we recognise the rights and unique challenges girls face globally. One of the many challenges they face is period poverty. Millions of girls in developing countries experience shame, confusion and even stigma and discrimination when they get their period. The good news is in Compassion centres around the world, girls are finding education, protection, empowerment, safe bathrooms and period supplies.

Haiti earthquake: to weep and to hope

Wednesday, 08 September 2021 — Compassion International

As Haiti faces another devastating earthquake, Willow Welter from Compassion says, while it is time to weep with Haitians now, there is hope to rejoice as she reflects on what has been achieved by supporters since the last big earthquake occurred in 2010, which killed more than 200,000 people. With support, these communities will once again rise from the rubble and be able to rejoice again.

Four years on, we will not forget the Rohingya people

Wednesday, 25 August 2021 — Andrew Robinson

Today, August 25, marks four years since extreme violence and human rights atrocities erupted against the Rohingya people, forcing thousands to flee from Myanmar to Bangladesh. The Rohingya Refugee Crisis continues to this day, with over 880,000 refugees still living in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. We remember the Rohingya people today, and invite you to pray with us as you read our reflections on this crisis in this blog.

Kids around the world: My favourite foods

Friday, 20 August 2021 — Compassion International

We thought we’d ask some children who attend Compassion child development centres what their favourite foods to eat were. Here’s what they had to share.

Kiwi working to prevent human trafficking

Friday, 13 August 2021 — Keith Ramsay

Sean Hatwell’s experience as a detective fighting organised crime in New Zealand, took him to the streets and red-light districts of Thailand, working with Tearfund’s partner to disrupt trafficking rings peddling misery for victims of human trafficking.

A year on from the Beirut explosion, the effects are still being felt

Wednesday, 04 August 2021 — Tearfund New Zealand

Today marks one year since the devastating explosion at Beirut’s port in Lebanon killed more than 180 people. As one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded, it left hundreds injured and hundreds of thousands of people homeless and unemployed. Your support enabled our local partner MERATH, a Christian NGO in Lebanon, to help thousands of vulnerable individuals and families. Here’s what we were able to do with your donation.

Our 10 favourite moments with sponsored children that’ll make you smile!