Zambia
BY OLIVER WAKELIN
On the right track to income security
a Church in Community (CnC) project, World Renew’s local partner, the Reformed Church of Zambia (RCZ), has been working to reduce poverty in vulnerable communities by supporting community members to establish Village Savings and Loan Associations.
In rural communities where families have limited or no access to banks and financial institutions, a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) gives members the opportunity to save and access loans. Typically, VSLA members make regular
contributions to a savings pool and as the pool grows, they can take out low-interest loans for personal needs, including investing in their farms or businesses, paying off debt, and making home improvements. When members repay the loans, at year’s end each member receives their savings with interest to do with as needed in what is called the annual “share-out.”
Formed in 2022, the Tiyamike Village Savings and Loan group of 29 members—10 men and 19 women—has been conducting their savings activities in accordance with the VSLA rules and guidelines,
In the last year, thanks to generosity like yours, 19 communities in Malawi received training on protecting natural resources to help improve farming methods.
including keeping meticulous records of their saving, strictly ensuring that members attend meetings and save money, and focusing on their mission of ending poverty for members and their community.
The Tiyamike group has not only carried out several activities aimed at eradicating poverty and increasing food security among its members’ households but has also supported their community through what they call “acts of love” where they provide the vulnerable, orphans, and elderly people with food and other essentials.
In 2024, the group embarked on a poultry project. After the last “share-out”, the members decided to use the group’s emergency funds and contributions of members to start a poultry rearing business. They have already constructed a poultry house using local resources. Each group member was asked to contribute a chicken. In addition to the chickens, the group also has five goats and two sheep.
Furthermore, heeding the advice of RCZ and World Renew, members have been investing their money. Most of them have started up some small businesses that have helped to improve their income.
With such dedication and entrepreneurship, the Tiyamike VSLA is on the right track to eradicate poverty and improve the economic well-being of group members and their community.
Prayer Requests
BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICA MINISTRY TEAM
• Six months after toxic waste spilled from a mine in northern Zambia, contamination still poses problems; please pray for health and safety for people in the area.
• Countries in the region continue to struggle with cholera outbreaks; pray for renewed health and improved sanitation, especially for vulnerable communities.
• As World Renew Southern Africa undergoes restructuring in a challenging economy, pray for God’s provision and guidance for all impacted.
BY JACOB OPARA
Kenya
Building the future: youth running clubs
WORLD RENEW understands that development and change in a society are often fueled by young people, so much of our programming targets youth to create sustainable change. In central Kenya, World Renew collaborated with the Micah 6:8 Foundation and Anglican Development Service Mount Kenya (ADSMKE) on a youth initiative called the Youth Running Clubs.
In 2024, gifts like yours helped 1,917 youth in Tanzania to improve their relationship with God and others and inspired them to participate in community service activities.
When John joined the Youth Running Clubs, his attitude and behaviour began to transform. With the guidance of dedicated mentors, John began distancing himself from negative influences and fostering healthier friendships.
The Youth Running Clubs program, also known as the Kijana Ajibika Ministry, focuses on equipping young people, ages 8 to 16, to make positive life choices. The Clubs connect youth with mentors who emphasize the importance of striving for excellence, choosing good friends, and making responsible decisions.
A shining example of this program's impact is the story of John, a 14-year-old boy from a rural village. A year ago, John’s life was on a downward spiral. He was living with his grandmother and struggling with his studies and irresponsi ble behaviour. His family was concerned.
Coach Peter, one of the mentors, saw the remarkable changes in John. John’s grandmother also testified to John showing more respect and gratitude. Over time, these changes and John’s dedication have resulted in improved academic performance, opening doors to a brighter future.
John’s success culminated in his acceptance to a secondary school known for academic excellence. John credits the Kijana Ajibika Ministry for helping him become a better person. As he embarks on his secondary school journey, he is committed to staying connected with the program, acknowledging its ongoing positive influence on his life. Through your gifts, you are helping to share Christ’s hope with vulnerable youth. Thank you!
Prayer Requests
BY THE EAST AFRICA MINISTRY TEAM
• Pray for peace and security in Congo, South Sudan, and the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia, among other East African countries, as conflict has spillover effects across the region.
• Pray for a peaceful election season, as Ugandans and Tanzanians prepare for elections in early 2026.
• As humanitarian funding cuts cripple vital food security programs, pray for God’s provision for the vulnerable communities who depend on this support.
Guatemala
BY LUCY
Paving a healthy way for future generations
IN GUATEMALA, chronic malnutrition amongst children is high, including in the community of Chuaferro where Maria Rufina Mantanic Ajqui, 25, a homemaker and mother of three children, resides. Through World Renew, women in Chuaferro had the opportunity to attend trainings in maternal and child health. Concerned about the well-being of her children, Maria eagerly joined the trainings.
“I heard that women with children under two years old were receiving trainings to help the health of their children,” Maria shares. "My baby gets sick often and every time he gets sick, he loses a lot of weight, so I went.”
Maria is grateful for all she is learning. “They teach us how, with certain activities, we develop motor skills in our children. We talk about nutrition issues, hygiene issues, and many other topics,” she says. “I hope to continue learning more because I realized that there is a lot of information that I didn't have that could help to improve my children's health.”
148 families in Nicaragua are implementing sustainable agroecological practices, thanks to generosity like yours.
Maria acknowledges that before joining the program she did not understand the importance of prenatal care. “In none of my three pregnancies I was as careful as I should have been, and now I know the consequences this has on my children's health,” she admits. “Now I take better care of them, and thanks to the workshops, now I know what kind of food is a priority, so that my children grow up healthy. I also pay more attention to food preparation and hygiene.” She says she is already seeing improvements in her baby’s health.
“I pray a lot for the people involved in this program, for the pregnant women, and for the children in my community,” Maria says. “I know that God is the one who has opened this space so that we can teach future generations.”
Prayer Requests
BY THE LATIN AMERICA MINISTRY TEAM
• As people across Latin America deliberate making perilous journeys to go in search of work in other countries, pray for opportunities to open in their homelands.
• Gang violence continues to fill hearts with fear in Haiti; please pray for God to open doors to peace, economic stability, and an end to hunger for Haitian families.
• Pray for safety and good health for World Renew and partner staff across Latin America, and for a spirit of perseverance as we work to share the news of God's love.
RIVERA
BY HAROUNA ISSAKA
Senegal
Finding hope and healing
AMY’S* YOUNGER BROTHER was just one year old when their mother passed away. Amy stepped up to care for her brother, who got sick often and struggled to grow strong and healthy. He wasn’t able to walk until he was three years old.
To help care for her brother and pay for medicine, Amy took a job cleaning a woman’s house. The woman worked as a nurse, and when she learned about Amy’s situation, she connected Amy with World Renew’s local partner, Lutheran Services for Development in Senegal (SLDS).
An SLDS employee referred Amy to the hospital, where she was asked for her permission to have her brother tested for HIV. “I accepted, thinking that it was just to rule out the possibility,” says Amy. “To my great dismay, the result was positive.”
In Nigeria, thanks to gifts like yours, 23,925 handicapped persons received wheelchairs through the support of World Renew.
for HIV. Amy returned to SLDS and received support and guidance to help improve her brother’s health. The SLDS team helped Amy and her brother by covering medical expenses and transportation costs for appointments.
Amy’s brother was given antiretroviral drugs, a treatment
Over time, Amy’s brother became healthier and began to move around on his own. When he was five years old, SLDS selected him as one of six orphans to be enrolled in a private Christian school. Today, he is in fourth grade and does well in school.
Amy says, “I am so grateful to the SLDS-World Renew program as well as the local team for everything they have done for my brother.”
Thank you for walking alongside World Renew and helping provide better opportunities for care to people affected by HIV.
*Name has been changed for security purposes
Prayer Requests
BY THE WEST AFRICA MINISTRY TEAM
• Most West African countries are in the midst of rainy season through October; please pray that the rains will produce bountiful harvests for farmers later this year.
• As our teams in West Africa navigate necessary restructuring, pray for wisdom and insight, and God’s continuing guidance during economically challenging times.
• Please continue to pray for the safety and well-being of our staff and partners working in West Africa, where conflict and security concerns can make it difficult to carry out our programs.
Cambodia
BY BUNTHA THOL
Discovering the risks of migration
IN CAMBODIA, a lack of job opportunities has led to a high rate of migration, especially amongst young adults. But as people leave their homeland in search of work, they are often oblivious to the dangers.
Chhet Sivmey, 17, lives in Rong Damrey village. She attends Ba Phnom High School, where she has lots of friends and is an outstanding student. When she learned that World Renew’s local partner, KADRA, was starting a Youth Countering People Trafficking (YCPT) club at her school, she was curious and decided to join. She wanted to learn more about migration and hoped the club might help her become more active in Cambodian society.
Thanks to gifts like yours, in the last year, 960 people in India received training and began practicing conservation agriculture methods.
While taking part in club activities, Chhet’s understanding of migration changed. Previously, she had seen it as a part of life and was unaware of the potential dangers that migrants face. Through the YCPT club, she learned about the risks, including falling prey to predators and human traffickers.
Chhet believes that participation in YCPT also helped improve her ability to build relationships, share ideas, and work as a team member. She is now a facilitator in the YCPT club and says, "I would like to share my knowledge with other young people. I want to encourage them to study hard and treasure themselves.”
Chhet says that she is grateful that KADRA and World Renew brought YCPT into the school. “It has provided us with access to new knowledge, particularly on how to conduct community research focusing on safe migration, and on the danger of human trafficking,” she shares. “I hope that KADRA will continue its training support, and on behalf of the club members, I would like to wish KADRA and World Renew peace, happiness, and success in their work.” Thank you for your gifts that make work like this possible.
Prayer Requests
BY THE ASIA MINISTRY TEAM
• As the monsoon season brings heavy rains and flooding to the region, pray for God’s protective hand to cover people, crops, and property.
• Pray for God’s protection for minority groups in Bangladesh who have been enduring an uptick in harassment; pray, too, for peace to reign across the country.
• Pray for a just resolution of the long-standing issues between Cambodia and Thailand that have led to violence and displacement along the border; pray, too, for lasting peace.
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
—PSALM 82:3
Hope renewed
We are called to help the vulnerable among us. But who are the vulnerable? We at World Renew believe that God calls us to pursue justice for every person, regardless of gender, age, race, or ability. Generous-hearted people like you make it possible for us to share God’s hope with the orphan living with HIV, the father who has lost his crops to drought, the woman who is not allowed to work, the girl facing child marriage, the adolescent who needs a wheelchair so he can attend school, and so many more of God’s children who cry out for his peace and provision. Because of gifts like yours, hope is renewed for those facing hunger, poverty, and injustice. Thank you for your compassion.
To learn more, visit: worldrenew.net/ peaceandjustice
