Seeking transformation
What we do, and how we do it
Why we exist
Poverty does more than exhaust,
starve, and kill people. It destroys
their sense of worth and robs them
of the chance to reach their full
potential.
Tearfund’s call is to follow Jesus
where the need is greatest. We do
whatever it takes to end poverty
and rebuild communities.
‘Before, you knew us for
our droughts, our
poverty. But now the
poor are transforming
this country, and poverty
shall no longer be our
name.’
Meseret Kumsa, a Tearfund SelfHelp Group member, Ethiopia
How we work
We work through local churches,
because they're Jesus’ body on earth,
ready to care for the whole person and the whole community - inside and
out.
God has called us to serve those living
in poverty, regardless of race, gender,
nationality or religious belief.
We know the gospel has the power to
transform lives and heal communities,
we see this truth in our work every day.
God isn’t giving up on the poor, neither
are we.
‘He answered, ‘Love the
Lord your God with all
your heart and with all
your soul and with all
your strength and with
all your mind and, love
your neighbour as
yourself.’
(Luke 10:27)
We work in over 50 countries, across 5
continents, bringing material and
spiritual transformation wherever the
need is greatest.
The following slides give you just 4
quick examples of places where,
thanks to the generous individuals and
churches who support us, we have
been able to bring about lasting
change.
Uganda
If you ask Akol Wilbrod what life was
like a few years ago, he sums it up
succinctly: ‘Very bad.’ Akol’s family,
based in Atutur, Uganda, were in dire
poverty, scraping a living from
subsistence farming.
Through our partner, the Pentecostal
Assemblies of God, we have helped
them discover their God-given
resources. This process starts with a
series of Bible studies.
Akol explained, ‘We saw how Jesus fed
the 5,000. The studies helped us use
the resources we have around us and
we trusted that God would help us by
multiplying what we had.’
PAG arranged agricultural training and
Akol now has 300 orange trees as well
as various animals.
‘I can earn money by selling the fruit.
This has enabled me to send my
daughter to university.’
Syria
In Syria, the civil war that started
four years ago shows no sign of
ending. Sadly, nor does the
suffering of more than 9 million
ordinary Syrians who are in need,
including 3 million refugees.
‘Aala and her grandmother
cried as they thanked God
and everyone who had made
an effort to help them.’
One of our team after giving food
to a family in a Syrian refugee camp.
Your support has enabled us to
provide 4,550 Syrian people with
new places to live, help 3,500
stay warm and help nearly 3,000
families live in hygienic
conditions.
Nepal
Every year for more than 20 years,
Nepali farmer Keshab Bahadur Singh
had to say goodbye to his family and
make the long trek to India to find
work.
His fields could only produce enough
food for four months of the year, so
Keshab would leave his wife and four
children to do whatever other work he
could find.
Now, a programme run by Tearfund
partner United Mission to Nepal
(UMN) is revolutionising his livelihood.
UMN has brought farmers together in
groups. As well as training about
diversifying into growing vegetables,
group members have received practical
help, like more resilient seed varieties.
Since joining a group, Keshab has seen
a jump in earnings for his crops. More
income means he’s better able to
provide for his family. The long trek to
India is now a thing of the past!
Peru
Agape works in Lima providing
social, psychological and pastoral
support to vulnerable children and
teenagers.
They also provide advice around
self-esteem, good relationships,
and skills such as saving and
spending money effectively.
‘I feel happy because
I'm learning, and I am
improving life for my
family. Now, I can see
how bad our situation
was before.’
Alicia, a victim of domestic violence.
She and her husband attended a course
about tackling domestic violence, run
by our Peruvian partner, Agape.
Campaigning
Together, our supporters and the
local church are part of a wider
movement of Christians
campaigning for a just and
sustainable world.
We campaign across the world,
advocating for those whose voices
are not being heard.
We challenge the UK’s government
to be the leader on issues like
climate change and corruption.
HE HAS SHOWN YOU, O MORTAL, WHAT IS GOOD.
AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?
TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE MERCY,
AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.
(MICAH 6:8)
Prayer
• Pray for our partners, that they would be blessed in
their work, whatever struggles they face
• Pray for those in poverty, that they would know the love
of Jesus and the power of their own potential
• Pray for peace in conflict situations across the world
• Pray for us at Tearfund, that we would have wisdom in
our decision making, as we plan for the future
JOIN WITH US
Every time you make a donation you are improving the life of at
least one child or adult. You are changing the world for the better.
You may think it is a small impact, but to the child, woman or man
whose life will never be the same, the impact is life changing.
tearfund.org/give
THANK YOU
Tearfund Church Communications Team
Tel: 0208 943 7972
Email: churches@tearfund.org
Twitter: @TFChurches