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Community Livelihood Support, News, Project Updates, Social Empowerment for Excluded Castes (India)
March 26, 2026

UnitingWorld is partnering with the Church of North India – Diocese of Eastern Himalaya to support a tea plantation community in India’s Darjeeling region. A community of 190 people are still recovering from a plantation closure that stripped them of income, housing and food security overnight.

With few transferable skills and increasingly severe climate impacts, including heavy rains, landslides and soil erosion, families have struggled to rebuild their livelihoods.

Senior Project Officer Rose Donovan recently facilitated a four-day consultation and planning workshop with Diocese staff and community members to design a project to help people adapt to the changing climate and find alternative incomes.

“The community took us on a very intimate walk, showing us how they grow their food, their water sources and the landslides scattered throughout the area, and welcoming us into their homes,” said Rose. “They shared their goals and dreams fortheir community, each family longing to shape their own future.”

The Diocese has already employed a local woman as field officer. She had been planning to migrate more than three hours away in search of work, but can now stay and serve her own community.

Over the next three years, our partners will be helping families through climate resilient farming, improved livestock management and access to markets, as well as vocational training and career guidance for young people. They will also be working with the entire community on a disaster preparedness plan, including building awareness on drainage issues, good land management and how to reduce landslide risks.

Diocese Program Manager Sanjay Khaling said, “the community is enthusiastic about working together, and while it is a huge learning process,they are ready to get started.”

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Community Livelihood Support, News, Project Updates
March 26, 2026

When migrants suddenly started turning up in Bali from the nearby island of Sumba, many people assumed the worst. Would they be a strain on housing, jobs and social harmony? One more group of outsiders to be tolerated or pushed aside?

But for Rev Betha and her team at MBM (the development agency of the Protestant Christian Church in Bali), the arrivals weren’t a problem to be solved but an opportunity to love their neighbours in need.

“In our outreach to new migrants, they shared that the primary driving factor for leaving Sumba to seek work in Bali was extreme poverty,” Rev Betha explained.

“Their condition is largely caused by drought, infertile land and limited access to water, which make it difficult for villagers to make a living.”

Climate change sits at the centre of this shared challenge. “These changes have led to reduced rainfall and prolonged dry seasons, resulting in drought and crop failure,” Rev Betha says, with ripple effects across health, livelihoods and family safety.

For many years, MBM has worked alongside vulnerable communities in Bali. But when Rev Betha stepped into leadership in 2023, she felt called to respond more deeply to the plight of new
migrants.

“Climate change and poverty have driven many people from Sumba to migrate to Bali in search of work, often without adequate skills or an understanding of cultural differences.

As a result, many Sumbanese migrants in Bali face a type of ‘double’ poverty. First in their places of origin, and again in their destination areas. These realities strengthened our conviction at MBM that we must expand our ministry to Sumba.”

As well as supporting families who have already migrated, MBM devised a plan to help people still at home in Sumba, before they become stuck in Bali facing hostility and fewer opportunities.

MBM has partnered with UnitingWorld and the Sumba Christian Church to make this work possible, building trust through shared faith.

“We hold the conviction that it is God who sends us to accompany the vulnerable and the poor with compassion,” Rev Betha reflects. “We believe that God goes before this good plan and faithfully sustains our work.”

We will be sharing more about this growing partnership, and ways to support the project, later in the year. Pease uphold Rev Betha and her team in prayer.

 

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News
March 26, 2026

Right now, humanitarians the world over are operating with far less support. A global retreat from foreign aid is happening at precisely the wrong moment.

Early last year, the United States closed USAID and slashed its foreign aid budget by more than 80 percent. Modelling from Boston University suggests this has already caused 600,000 deaths, two-thirds of them children. Other major funders followed: Germany cut aid by 50%, the UK by 40% and France by 37%, all diverted to record defence spending.

We are thankful that Australia’s aid budget was saved from cuts, in no small part by a movement of faithful Christians and church institutions refusing to see aid as discretionary spending, but as an extension of our shared values.

If you added your voice through the Safer World For All campaign, contacted your Member of Parliament, or prayed for and supported us and our partners as they advocated in Canberra – thank you!

There’s still a long way to go. Australia’s foreign aid remains at a historic low of just 0.5 per cent of the federal budget, well below what’s needed to meet humanitarian and development needs around the world.

We will continue to urge the government to restore Australian aid to the modest level of 1% of the Federal Budget, a small step that would have a huge impact.

You can help by joining the campaign at www.saferworld.org.au

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Blogs, News
March 26, 2026

“A world of fortresses will be poorer, more fragile and less sustainable.”

It was acclaimed as the most important foreign policy speech in years. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney chose to speak with unusual candour in his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year.

“We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false” he said, “that the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient.”

He called out what the global south has always known – that the fairness of that order was a collective illusion, and that it has always been weaponised against the powerless. We now live in a world where superpowers exert military might and economic coercion with flagrant indifference. Whatever illusion we shared, it is now shattered. Carney called on ‘middle power’ nations to build something better, an order grounded in human rights, solidarity, and the dignity of every nation. I look forward to how Australia might step up to this invitation.

But as Christ-followers we do not put our faith in empires. Even well-meaning ones. The value of each human life, the duty of the strong to care for the weak, to love without condition – these are Jesus’ teachings. Are we ready to hold to them, even when the world seems to be forgetting?

Whenever I meet with our church partners and supporters, I find my answer. Whether among old friends or new partners, in the wealthiest cities here at home or the poorest communities of India, Timor-Leste or the Pacific, sitting on mats under trees, or in cafes, the word that rings true is family. Even when I visit for the first time, it always feels like coming home. The spirit of God is always there, always weaving us together, gently urging our hearts to act with love and justice.

We don’t build fortresses, we build tables to gather around. Not an alliance for power, but a living community of people, across cultures, languages and oceans. People who choose each other, who keep showing up, who believe, as Jesus told us, that how we treat the most vulnerable among us is the truest measure of who we are in Christ.

You and I are part of this family, a taste of the kin-dom that Jesus proclaimed was at hand. So the question we face is this: can we hold onto hope and each other, and keep loving with courage and generosity?

Thanks for being with us.

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Campaigns, News
March 26, 2026

 

Thank you to the churches across Australia that hosted an Everything in Common stall this year! Inspired by the radical generosity of the early Church described in Acts (2:44-45), you helped us raise more than $300,000 to support the vital work of our partners fighting poverty and building hope.

Lachlan (pictured above) grew up surrounded by people who care about the world around them. In a family that was deeply engaged at Brisbane West Uniting Church, Lachlan remembers there always being a call to help people who didn’t have many of the things he took for granted.

“My family was always fundraising for different missions of the church,” he says. “And I found it inspiring to see people in the community always travelling across Australia or oversees to love and serve anyone who needs help.”

It was an image that stuck with him. In school geography class he learned about water scarcity, so in 2019 he organised his church to fundraise for water wells through UnitingWorld.

“The more I learned about the world around me, the more I realised how much there was to do to help.”

When the devastating 2019 droughts and bushfires hit, followed by COVID-19, Lachlan and his church stepped up.

“During crises like that, the solutions become so clear,” he says. “During the pandemic, our church set up a food bank to help people who lost their jobs, and we fundraised to support struggling farmers in Roma and Mitchell.”

His passion led him to discover our Everything in Common Gift Catalogue, and he now champions his church gift stall each Christmas. “I love being able to support really tangible things like clean water, food gardens and school books,” he says.

Now studying at university, Lachlan hasn’t lost his heart to help others, pursuing an International Studies degree and volunteering as often as he can.

“I think people like me should use their abilities, skills and privilege to make a difference, to help people wherever there’s a need.”

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News
March 23, 2026

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters and determination of our partners, UnitingWorld’s projects reached 117,745 people, across 29 projects with 22 partners in 15 countries in Financial Year 2025 (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025).

Our Annual Report tells stories of the impacts of our work with partners, from Africa, Asia and the Pacific – lives transformed through improved food security and water supply, livelihood opportunities, inclusion of people with disability, gender justice, disaster preparedness and emergency response, and climate resilience. You can download a copy here.

Thank you for being part of the work we do.

 

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News
March 11, 2026

In the face of humanitarian crises, cuts to foreign aid, and a changing climate, our church partners across Asia, Africa and the Pacific are responding with courage, compassion, and hope.

When Cyclone Senyar tore through Sumatra, Indonesia in November, killing more than 1,200 people and washing away entire villages. Survivors were left desperately short of food, water and shelter, but our church partners in neighbouring areas collected goods and donations and sent them to the affected provinces. Churches opened their doors, shared what they had, and stayed long after the cameras left.

In Bali, our church partners are responding to climate migrants from the nearby island of Sumba with care rather than fear, offering connection, practical support and dignity to families seeking stability. They are even expanding their poverty alleviation project into Sumba in partnership with the local church to help people before they’re forced to migrate! They have also opened a sustainable café as part of their work to curb Indonesia’s crippling pollution problem, serving their community and teaching sustainability at the same time!

In West Timor, hope looks like seedlings in the ground. More than 6,000 trees and mangroves have been planted to restore fragile landscapes. At the same time, our church partners are addressing chronic malnutrition among children and mothers through community health initiatives and kitchen gardens. The program is now expanding into new villages in Alor and Rote so more families can grow diverse, nutritious food close to home.

In Maluku, our church partners hosted multi-faith prayers for the victims of the Bondi massacre at the request of Muslim leaders in Ambon. Strong relationships between faiths are reflected in the long-running UnitingWorld-supported peacebuilding project to rebuild trust after years of sectarian conflict. The project has since transitioned to address chronic food insecurity and childhood stunting and is expanding to new villages this year.

In Timor-Leste, longer dry seasons and heavier rains are destroying food gardens. Our partners are helping farmers diversify crops, improve water systems and restore degraded land.

In India’s Punjab region, the worst flooding in four decades inundated 1,400 villages and vast stretches of farmland. Our church partners used boats to deliver vital supplies to stranded families. And despite increasing restrictions to Christian outreach under the Modi Government, our partners continue to stand with Dalit and marginalised communities facing discrimination, strengthening livelihoods and restoring dignity.

In India’s Durgapur region, study centres in ten rural communities, previously supported by UnitingWorld, are now entirely self-sufficient, owned and funded by their communities.

In Vanuatu, hope is preparing before disaster strikes. On the island of Tanna, our partner, the Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu, has launched an Anticipatory Action Project that equips local leaders and families to be disaster ready.

More than 1,300 people have attended awareness sessions, learning practical skills, identifying how to protect their most vulnerable neighbours, and building a local coordination network.

In the Philippines, twin typhoons killed more than 300 people and displaced half a million. Our partner, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, led both disaster response and peaceful ecumenical advocacy, speaking out against government corruption that has weakened disaster preparedness and left communities exposed. Love and justice, side by side.

In Sri Lanka, when Cyclone Ditwah killed 600 people and caused US$4 billion in damage, the Methodist Church stretched already-thin resources to reach those most in need. As families continue to navigate economic crisis and recovery, churches are supporting livelihoods and food security so hardship does not become despair.

Across our region, this is what hope looks like. Boats carrying supplies. Churches opening their doors. Mangroves restored. Children nourished. Corruption challenged. Forests defended. Homes strengthened before the storm.

Thank you for standing with UnitingWorld and our partners. Your prayers and generosity turn hope into action.

Originally published in UnitingWorld Update Issue 1 2026

In addition to news from across the lives of our partners, there’s a summary of our Annual Report (July 2024–June 2025) showing the impact of your gifts to communities in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. This Lent, we’re inviting Australians to stand with families on the frontline of climate change through Lent Event and 40 for the Future. National Director Dr Sureka Goringe also reflects on the global retreat from foreign aid and why Australia holding the line matters now more than ever.

Download a copy here.

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News, Social Empowerment for Excluded Castes (India)
March 4, 2026

This International Women’s Day, the global theme is ‘Balance the Scales.’ It is a call to address the structural barriers that continue to deny women and girls equal access to justice, opportunity and political power. For UnitingWorld and our partners, it is a theme we see reflected every day in the communities we work alongside.

Anya grew up in the Mirabai settlement, a low-income community in Durgapur, in northern India. Her father works as a driver and her mother as a housekeeper, together earning around AUD$100 a month to cover all household costs for a family of five. From an early age the odds were stacked against her. The life script for girls like Anya is a familiar one: leave school early, contribute to the household, and marry young. Her parents were hoping she would marry quickly, as often happens very young in their community. Poverty and social pressure made that script feel inevitable.

But it was not.

Since 2011, UnitingWorld has supported the Church of North India – Diocese of Durgapur to run an Education and Social Empowerment project in Anya’s community. Through study centres, life skills workshops, career counselling and vocational training, the project has transformed lives for many community members, giving young people the tools to write a different story for themselves.

For Anya, that meant access to a study centre and a teacher, Sophia Lakra, who invested in her potential. With that support, Anya completed primary school, went on to further study, joined computer classes and pursued her passion for basketball. She is now enrolled in a college degree and the National Cadet Corps, and is preparing for competitive exams she hopes will lead to stable employment.

Today, she also volunteers at the same study centre where her own journey began, helping to teach the next generation. “I would have drowned in darkness,” she reflects, “if the project and Ms Lakra had not guided me to the light of education.”

Anya’s story illustrates what balancing the scales can look like in practice: not sweeping policy change alone, but consistent, community-level investment in young women’s education, confidence and agency.

There are many more children in her settlement still without access to quality education. The work continues.

If you can support UnitingWorld’s partners as they expand this work, we would love to have you alongside us!

 

This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Thanks to ANCP, we’re making a huge difference together; lifting families out of poverty and helping people improve their lives.

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Blogs, Campaigns
February 18, 2026

Outdated and irrelevant tradition, or the perfect season for our modern age? 

Every year, sometime between when hot cross buns unscrupulously appear in supermarkets and the eating of a chocolate egg, many of us catch a vague mention of “Lent”. 

To many the word will sound ancient, dusty. Locked in books and church halls from another time.  

For those of us who attend a mainline church, it will involve literal dust. Ashes marked on foreheads to remind us of our finite lives followed by a 40-day season of prayer, fasting (usually from chocolate) and giving to others. 

But to put it down to just a list of duties to perform would be to undercut one of the most powerful and contemporary aspects of the season: intentional time to clarify and refocus our lives on what really matters. 

And rarely has that felt more necessary. 

We live in an age of relentless fragmentation. Our attention is no longer simply divided; it is actively hunted. Algorithms are engineered to keep us anxious, scrolling, comparing. Every app, advertisement and news cycle competes for a piece of us. We are invited to perform our identities, signal our values and consume our way to meaning all at once, all the time. 

Nowhere is this divided loyalty more visible than in our relationship with material wealth. We accumulate position and possession, often not out of greed, but out of anxiety. Out of the quiet fear that we are not enough, that we do not have enough, that we must hold on to everything we can. Life becomes cluttered. Generosity becomes difficult. God recedes to the back of the queue. 

The disciplines of prayer, fasting and generosity are a direct challenge to that condition. They loosen the grip of status anxiety. They relocate our identity not in what we own or achieve, but in our relationship with God and with the people around us. They give us back what the algorithms are stealing from us: attention and focus. 

This is why Lent is not a relic. It is a rescue. 

Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter, a season the Church has observed for nearly two thousand years. Forty days echoes the time Jesus spent in the wilderness before his public ministry began. Hungry, tested and stripped of comfort, prayer and fasting didn’t diminish him. They clarified him. He knew who he was and what he was for. 

So we follow in those footsteps. 

The season of Lent has always been marked by three practices: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Three disciplines that together orient the Christian life not just inward, but outward. 

The logic is simple, but radical. When you fast, you create space, in your body, in your budget, in your attention. The tradition has always said: don’t leave that space empty. Fill it with something that matters. Feed someone. Clothe someone. Build something that lasts. 

Right now, that call has a particular urgency. 

Climate change is not an abstract future problem; it is an unfolding catastrophe for the world’s most vulnerable people. Harvests are failing. Coastlines are disappearing. Families across the Pacific, Asia and Africa are being forced from their homes and their livelihoods, not because of choices they made, but because of choices the wealthiest nations made for them. 

The injustice is stark: those who contributed least to this crisis are suffering the most. And they have the fewest resources to adapt. 

This is precisely the kind of moment that calls us back to the traditions of Lent: not to retreat into private spiritual exercise, but to look outward, let our hearts be moved, and ask: what am I willing to give? 

Lent Event

Since 2004, UnitingWorld has been inviting Australian Christians to make Lent a season of outward action through Lent Event and, for 2026, the call is as urgent as it’s ever been. 

Lent Event is built around a simple, powerful idea: that the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and generosity can be channeled toward the lives of our global neighbours. 

This year, the heart of Lent Event is 40 for the Future: a climate challenge for individuals, families, and whole congregations to live more simply during Lent and raise funds for UnitingWorld’s life-changing projects.  

From helping families in Timor-Leste to grow their own food gardens, to planting trees in Indonesia to stabilise landslide-prone hillsides, to stocking evacuation centres in disaster-prone parts of the Pacific, every dollar raised goes to community-led climate action in places that need it most (see the impact your fundraising can have!). 

And it’s not just about the money. Lent Event is a way for your church community to walk through the season together, with shared stories, prayers, and reflective resources each week that connect the ancient rhythms of Lent to the urgent realities of our world right now. 

This year, consider what it might look like to let Lent be bigger. To let the ashes on your forehead be a reminder not just of your own mortality, but of the millions of people whose lives are being shaped by forces beyond their control, and of the power that ordinary people of faith have to change that. 

Don’t just give up chocolate. Give your prayers, fasting and generosity to shape a fairer world for all. 

Join us for Lent Event 2026 and sign up for 40 For the Future!

Lent Event 2026 runs 18 February – 2 April. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top photo: A woman in Timor-Leste waters her raised food garden made possible thanks to UnitingWorld supporters.

 

UnitingWorld’s work in Timor-Leste is partly funded by the Australian Government as part of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

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News
January 23, 2026

Are you:

  • Motivated to use your administrative and donor care skills to support meaningful work worldwide?
  • Interested in joining a purpose-driven team dedicated to justice, partnership and positive global impact?
  • Looking for a flexible part-time role – 19 hrs per week, with potential to go full-time?

We have a part-time position based in Sydney (SYD).

As a Donor Care Officer, you’ll be the first point of contact for our supporters, providing warm, professional donor care while ensuring donations are processed accurately and efficiently. From managing regular giving and maintaining donor records to supporting fundraising campaigns, your attention to detail and care for people will make a real impact every day.
This role is central to building strong supporter relationships and ensuring smooth operational processes that underpin our fundraising success. You will combine precision in financial administration with a genuine commitment to exceptional service, helping us deliver programs that tackle poverty and injustice worldwide.

Full Job Advertisement

Position Description

About UnitingWorld

 

Please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@nswact.uca.org.au.