Lifting Whole Communities Out of Poverty - Transforming Communities
Lifting Whole Communities Out of Poverty
Jubilee+’s Natalie Williams recently travelled to Karamoja, Uganda as part of a group of church and charity leaders to see firsthand the impact of Tearfund’s Transforming Communities Programme in the region.
Karamoja is one of the poorest areas in Uganda. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2023/24 National Household Survey Report, the region’s poverty rate stands at 74.2% – more than four times the national average.
During the visit, the group met many people experiencing deep poverty:
- An elderly woman who hadn't eaten that day and said there wasn't much chance she would be eating anytime soon.
- Three orphaned boys, with the eldest just 12 years old now responsible for his younger siblings. Although they are registered for school, the nearest is 5km away, and they already walk over 3km each day to fetch water and gather firewood.
Reflecting on the trip, Natalie said:
“The visit was both heartbreaking and inspiring. I saw the most abject poverty I’ve ever seen in my life. However, Tearfund’s Transforming Communities programme is incredible – whole communities are being empowered to lift themselves out of poverty and stay out of poverty.”
Priscilla Roxburgh, from Jubilee+ Partner Church City Gate Bournemouth, also shared her reflections:
“What struck me most during our visit to Uganda was how, in villages where Transforming Communities had taken root, I saw families transformed — both in everyday life and spiritually. Homes grew wider and cleaner; access to water and sanitation improved; livelihoods strengthened. The gospel was reshaping attitudes, habits, and lifting entire communities out of poverty and despair. It confirmed even more for me that faith is the engine for whole-community rebirth.”
How Transforming Communities Works
Tearfund’s Transforming Communities model equips and inspires local churches to respond to the needs of their own communities. These approaches are locally owned, sustainable, and empowering.
The process begins with biblical reflection, helping churches and communities understand their identity, potential, and God-given calling. From there, the programme encourages transformational change: communities identify their own challenges, utilise the resources they have, and take collective action to address them. The focus is always on long-term, sustainable change that strengthens both individuals and whole communities. Tearfund research shows that nine out of ten communities that receive Transforming Communities training go on to improve or build facilities like water points, schools and health clinics.
One example of how the programme empowers local people came from a man who, through a Bible study, reflected on the story of Elijah and the widow’s oil. He realised that God could multiply what he already had. What began as a few orange trees that weren’t always fruitful has now grown into hundreds of productive trees, providing income for his whole village.
Throughout the visit, many people shared their stories of coming to faith in Jesus and discovering that He equips them with tools for their well-being. Many shared the phrase:
“I now have knowledge in my head, Jesus in my heart, food in my stomach, and money in my pocket.”
We love what the Tearfund Transforming Communities programme is doing to empower people and whole communities to lift themselves out of poverty.
We are also excited to see that this model is being piloted here in the UK:
"Building on the amazing work of Tearfund with churches around the world seeing communities transformed, CAP is now working with churches across the UK to see what is possible here. Building on the same biblical foundation and bible studies but adapting the process for the UK context we are excited to see what God can do through this approach with churches across our nation." Jodi Blackham, Head of Church and Community Transformation at Christians Against Poverty.
Want to find out more?
Join us for a one off special zoom call on Thursday, 12th February 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
In this Zoom, Natalie will share more about the trip, along with Priscilla Roxburgh from J+ Partner Church Citygate Church Bournemouth who was also on the trip, and Tearfund's Becky Ingamells. We'll also hear from Jodi Blackham from CAP about the pilot they're running to explore whether the Tearfund Transforming Communities model works in the UK.
This zoom is open to all but you need to register your place here: https://jubileeplus.charitysuite.com/events/bydhq9zs
You can also find out more about the Tearfund Transforming Communities programme here:
Transforming Communities through the local church - Tearfund