Tearfund

Who we are

Tearfund is a Christian charity with over 50 years of experience in international development. We believe that poverty is not God’s plan, and an end to extreme poverty is possible.

We work directly, and/or alongside local partners and churches, in underserved communities in more than 50 countries to tackle complex poverty in three main ways:

• Humanitarian response
  We respond quickly to disasters and conflicts, supporting those in greatest need throughout the recovery process.
   
• Community development
  We partner with local churches and organisations, mobilising resources and empowering communities to lift themselves out of poverty.
   
• Advocacy and influencing
  We help individuals and churches speak out on issues of poverty and injustice, and we challenge unjust policies and practices at a local, national and global level.

Our culture and values

What is Tearfund's vision?

Our vision is to see people freed from poverty, living transformed lives and fulfilling their God-given potential.

We’re called to live and love as Jesus did, to go to the hardest places and refuse to accept lives being destroyed by extreme poverty. That’s why Tearfund exists. Not just to respond to poverty, but to help end it.

How do we achieve our vision?

Tearfund works alongside communities over the long term, building lasting partnerships with local churches and community organisations. Because they know their communities best.

They understand the causes of poverty and how those causes shape people’s lives. Every Tearfund intervention is led by the people it serves: their needs, their knowledge, their skills. They lead the work and make the decisions.

Our values

As Christians, we follow Jesus’ example. We seek to be Christ-centred, compassionate, courageous, truthful and servant-hearted in everything we do.

Our mission

Our mission is to follow Jesus where the need is greatest, responding to crises and partnering with local churches and organisations to help people lift themselves out of poverty.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At Tearfund, we believe that every person is created in the image of God. This truth is fundamental to the ways in which we interact with each other and all those we serve – regardless of their background, experience or beliefs.

God’s plan is for everyone to be included and valued, not pushed to the edges of society. God did not design the world for people to be ignored or excluded.

Our aims

• To build a culture where everyone belongs. This is rooted in our belief that every person is created in the image of God. We will make sure everyone has equal and fair opportunities. We commit to creating an environment where all staff feel valued, accepted and that they belong.
   
• Help everyone involved with Tearfund – staff, partners, supporters and the people we serve – develop an understanding of how they can engage with others in ways that take their individual needs and experiences into consideration.
   
• Pursue justice and reconciliation where discrimination has caused broken relationships. We will provide safe spaces and clear channels where issues can be discussed courageously.
   

God calls us to love one another. Creating an environment that is inclusive, supportive and fair for all is a key way that we can do this.