11.09.2025
Young people in the Church of Ireland feed 3,980 children in South Sudan
Success for Pancakes and Prayer Lent initiative
Almost 4,000 children in South Sudan will be fed for the next year thanks to the generosity of young people from across the Church of Ireland. The Pancakes and Prayer Lent project, run by the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) and the Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development, encouraged youth groups and Sunday schools to get involved in praying for schools in South Sudan during Lent and raising funds – perhaps through giving something up, or by different initiatives within a parish or school community to contribute to the fundraising.
The money raised will be channelled through Fields of Life to provide plants and equipment for school gardens in South Sudan, so that the schoolchildren will be fed each day – and, as a result of the generosity of young people in Ireland, 3,980 children will now be fed.
Another Pancakes and Prayer fundraising campaign is planned for Lent next year so make sure you have your pans and ingredients ready to make a great difference again. The amounts raised in 2025 were £3,807 and €5,135 – therefore equivalent to around £8,300 or €9,500 in total when current exchange rates are taken into account.
Words of thanks for our young people
National Youth Officer Simon Henry remarked: “One of CIYD’s key tenets is partnership and it was brilliant to come together with Bishops’ Appeal and Fields of Life for this exciting project.
“We were blown away by the level of participation from young people, clergy and youth leaders. From youth groups to schools to Sunday morning services, there was so much engagement from all corners of the Church of Ireland and it has really encouraged us all, seeing young people engaged in responding to this need and knowing the impact it will have for the schools and children in South Sudan.”
Bishops’ Appeal’s Education Advisor, Hilary McClay, added: “Bishops’ Appeal is delighted by the wonderful response to our Pancakes and Prayer initiative, and encourages the young people of the Church of Ireland to continue to pray for the children in the schools in South Sudan.”
Naomi Campbell, Fields of Life’s Grants and Partnerships Manager, commented: “We are deeply grateful to the incredible young people across the Church of Ireland who took part in the Pancakes and Prayer Lent campaign. Your prayers and fundraising efforts are making a real and lasting difference for children in South Sudan. This is the world’s poorest country where tragically over 70 per cent of children are out of school.
“Since the start of the Thrive South Sudan project, the number of pupils across eight schools has increased by a remarkable 20 per cent, from 3,296 to 3,980! Hundreds of young people are in school today because of you!
“Thanks to your generosity, these schools are now skilled and equipped to sustainably grow their own food. Every child receives a daily meal, helping them stay in school, concentrate in class, and complete their education. Thank you for partnering with Fields of Life to let every child thrive!”
Readers can find out more about Fields of Life’s excellent work in East Africa through its website: www.fieldsoflife.org
South Sudan is home to around 11 million people and is the world’s newest country, having become independent in 2011. Around one in five of its population (22%) is aged under 14 years of age.
