THE MEANING OF FAMILY

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1 THE MEANING OF FAMILY Families come in many different shapes and sizes, yet we re all united by the desire to protect and look after one another. For Lamin, a 13-year-old from Sierra Leone, the need to care for his family came much sooner than he expected. Lamin s childhood was interrupted by tragedy. He lost both his parents to the Ebola outbreak of 2014, leaving him solely responsible his three younger siblings. This alone is more than any child should have to bear, but Lamin also had to do this whilst living in a community stuck in the grip of poverty. Children suffer the most Lamin and his family are part of the Mayaya Community, where more than 3,000 people rely on just one well for all their water needs. Unsurprisingly, the well is dry by 10am. Lamin would have to wake up before dawn every day to fetch water for himself and his three younger siblings. He would repeat this at least three times every morning. Water is a big challenge for us, Lamin tells us. Children suffer the most as it affects our health and schooling, as we the children have to go in search of water for the rest of the family. This affects our attendance and concentration in class as we are always late and very tired in school. Tearfund partner Scripture Union built a new well in Lamin s community, and trained pastors to provide counselling for those who had lost loved ones to Ebola. Lamin was delighted when he heard about the project: When I learnt that a well would be constructed in the community I couldn t sleep that night, imagining in my mind how much help it would bring. With God all things are possible Now, Lamin has his childhood back. I feel relieved of this great burden of waking up early to fetch water, he says. Now I can go to school early, ready to start the day with the others. I am trusting God that I can complete my education through the support given to us. Lamin is confident that with an education he will be able to provide more for his family.

2 I feel God hears my prayers even though I am a child and poor, Lamin says. Praying and hoping for water within my community was a daily thing, and God answered me that is why he sent Scripture Union and Tearfund to help us out of this water crisis. It may have appeared that circumstances had torn Lamin s family apart, but the bonds of love that family creates are not easily broken. Lamin s family may look different to others, but now it s stronger than ever. With God all things are possible. I thank God, Scripture Union and Tearfund for bringing relief and joy to the people of Mayaya. PLEASE PRAY Thank God for families in whatever form they may come in. Pray for Lamin and his family. Pray that Lamin will be able to complete his education and that he and his younger siblings will grow up free from poverty. Thank God for the work of our partner Scripture Union, and pray that they will be able to bring transformation to more communities. A NOTE FROM 'Lamin's story is one of determination, hope, and the beautiful meaning of family. Be encouraged by this wonderful testimony and remember Lamin, his siblings, and others just like them in your prayers. And thank you for your faithful support, without which none of this work would be possible.' Angie Sahe-Lacheante, Global Brand and Communications, Tearfund YEMEN: THE NEED IS STILL SO GREAT On 25 January 2017 the group FEWSNET reported data showing the harsh reality of famine was looming in four areas of the world: Northeast Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen and Somalia. It s led to a situation today some are calling the worst humanitarian crisis the world has faced since World War II. Yemen isn t officially in famine, despite an estimated 17 million people facing food insecurity. Specific statistical conditions (known as IPCs) need to be met for famine to be declared. However because of the length and nature of the war it s very hard to get accurate data from rural parts of the country, so it could be that pockets of famine are happening right now. Speaking to reporters earlier this month, Jan Egeland from the Norwegian Refugee Council went as far as saying Yemen is facing a famine of biblical proportions. On a visit to the Yemeni capital Sanaa, he said the crisis was not getting the international attention it needs because very few journalists or diplomats can get into the country. A nation in crisis Intense bombing has left many of Yemen s medical facilities out of action and few people can afford to travel to hospital to receive care. A recent outbreak of Cholera is already claiming lives, and there are few medicines available within the country to treat the sick.

3 Reporting on the economic situation in Yemen is hard, with little official data available. But according to the World Bank, the country s GDP has contracted by about 40 per cent since 2015 (the start of the conflict). Public sector workers haven t been paid for over eight months, further evidence of the economic and social crisis here. Despite the overwhelming crisis, most Yemenis are unable to leave, with much of the country either bordered by sea, Saudi Arabia or a desert. People s only option is to stay where they are, as the country continues to struggle. Vital assistance Tearfund has two partner organisations working on the ground in Yemen. They ve been greatly helped by the 1.5 million raised last December through Tearfund s Yemen Crisis Appeal (alongside the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal). Despite extreme difficulties with access and national insecurity they are doing what they can to implement a number of life-saving activities. These include: water and sanitation projects providing food baskets to vulnerable households installing water supply and rainwater capture systems helping import vital medicines into the country Megan Howe, Tearfund s Programme Officer for Yemen, tells us: We are so thankful for the generosity of our supporters this money is helping us reach some of the world s most vulnerable families living in conflict. Yemen remains the world s worst humanitarian crisis with millions facing starvation. We are privileged to work with partners who, despite the difficult environment, continue to provide food and clean water to families in need. PRAY FOR THE WORK: Please lift up the people of Yemen that they would have hope and strength amid the ongoing crisis. Pray for peace to come to this nation and restoration for the communities who live there. Thank God for the courage of Tearfund s two partner organisations who are going where the need is greatest to bring help. CLIMATE OF HOPE A group of high profile Christians have paid a visit to the US Congress in Washington to speak up against slashing America s environment budget. Among the team are singer and musician Michael Gungor and worship leader William Matthews, formerly of Bethel Church. The performers trip to meet policy makers and politicians in the US Congress was organised by the group Micah Challenge who are supported by Tearfund. They are lobbying to defend America s environment budget that President Donald Trump has threatened to slash. Gungor and Matthews were joined by authors Katelyn Beaty, Jonathan Martin and Science Mike (Mike McHargue). They met with Republican Congressman David Young (Iowa) and retired Republican Congressman Frank Wolf to stress the importance of work to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

4 During the meetings the group also discussed President Trump s plans to reduce the amount spent on overseas aid. Time to Act Tearfund s Advocacy Team Leader Sarah Wiggins was present. I was so thrilled to be on Capitol Hill with this incredible group, she explained. They can see that it s up to our generation to act on climate change. We all agree that loving God and our neighbours includes talking to politicians about climate change because we know the poorest people, who are the least responsible for it, are bearing the highest cost. 'As followers of Jesus we care about climate change and we re so glad that Christians in the US are joining the Renew Our World campaign to ask their government to keep their promises on environment spending. Michael Gungor says that among younger millennial Christians in particular, climate change is a major concern. We hear the voices of the people we re talking with and we hear what they are really concerned about. Climate is at the top of the list. Find out more about the Renew Our World campaign. PRAY FOR THIS: That Christians, both young and old will speak up about climate change in the United States. For the Renew Our World campaign to energise many thousands to take action in their own lives and speak out. That pressure will mount for the United States to adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement and continue to reduce emissions. PRAYER POINTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD The Kasai region in the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen levels of violence increase at an alarming rate since April. Hundreds have been killed, with reports of rape and forced recruitment of child soldiers, and 1.3 million people have been displaced. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating. Please pray for peace, and for protection over those living in the region. Sunday 14 May sees the first round of local elections in three of Nepal's seven provinces. The other provinces are scheduled for 14 June but this depends on changes being made to the constitution, which might not be easy. Pray for peaceful elections and that everybody will accept the outcome.

5 Communities from the Tharparker region of Pakistan are facing severe drought; please pray for rainfall.