Our values Our values
What we do What we do
Tackling disaster
Defeating disease
Environment
Economic injustice
Basic services
Created
Where we work Where we work
Who's who at Tearfund Who's who at Tearfund
Well-known friends Well-known friends
Core documents Core documents
The Tearfund story The Tearfund story

What we do

‘The church can do more for a struggling African village than any other organisation, because it is with the people all of the time. Organisations come and visit, but the church is here not only on Sunday, but every day of the week.’
Pastor Harry, Fombe village church, Malawi

At Tearfund, what drives us is a belief that the local church is the answer to poverty. Inspired by the example and teaching of Jesus, we recognise that people have deeply interconnected material and spiritual needs, and we seek to meet those needs by working through our local church partners. Churches are at the heart of their communities – full of dedicated, resourceful people who want to make a long-term difference.

We work particularly in Africa, Asia and South America – and also across Eastern Europe and the UK. Right now, we’re focussing on some of the biggest challenges facing the world today including:

Thanks to access to drugs, Berta is living with her HIV, not dying with it.The prevalence of killer diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis
The injustice of lack of water and sanitation, which leads to disease and death
We're standing up again injustice wherever we find it.Unfair trade that locks hard working people in poverty
The desert is encroaching in the Sahel region in Niger as the climate hots up.The devastating effects of climate change on poor communities
Natural disasters – helping communities to prepare for them, and dealing quickly with their effects

Created: Tearfund supports craft-workers and artisans from some of the world’s poorest communities, helping them create and market products of the highest standard. Click here to learn more about our Created gifts range.


 

Community Mission Partnership
We also work through local churches and Christian groups here in the UK, encouraging them to respond to Jesus’ call to look after the poorest and most vulnerable. Tearfund is in partnership with UK charity Liveablility to form the Community Mission Partnership, helping churches and Christians to learn about the causes of, and solutions to poverty and injustice. And we offer them ways to respond: by giving, speaking out in advocacy, and in prayer. Find out more here.

Connected church
By linking churches in the UK with churches in poor communities across the world, we’re creating a global network of churches – an effective, lasting solution to poverty and injustice. Find out more about our church links scheme here.

In all our work we adhere to internationally recognised standards and commitments that govern our code of conduct. Find out more about what those are here.

We are Christians passionate about the local church bringing justice and transforming lives - overcoming global poverty.
So our ten-year vision is to see 50 million people released from material and spiritual poverty through a worldwide network of 100,000 local churches.

Tearfund is a registered charity No. 265464 (England and Wales) No. SC037624 (Scotland)     Email: enquiries@tearfund.org     Tel: 0845 355 8355

Other Tearfund sites:     Youth & Students    Connected Church    Climate Justice Fund    Living Gifts    Created (Tearcraft)    Resources shop    Tilz