Your gift today will change someone’s tomorrow

I’m a long-time supporter of Tearfund. When I was looking for a charity to give through, I recognised that Tearfund is an organisation set up by New Zealand churches, and has many years of expertise in responding to need around the world. They understand the global context and have the smarts to deliver effective assistance on my behalf. I trust their knowledge of complex poverty issues and know that the solutions are delivered through partners that work in the name of Jesus. (That part is especially important to me!)

I’ve given to Tearfund in many ways over the years. I have supported sponsor children that matched the age and gender of each of my own three children—plus one for me! Now that those sponsorships are complete, I am enjoying giving to ‘where most needed’. It seemed a no-brainer to include Tearfund as one of the charities in our will when we were thinking about what we wanted to accomplish after a life-time of God’s blessing to us. Whether it turns out to be a lot or a little, I know it will mean a huge amount to those who receive it.

We’ve travelled quite a bit around the world over our lives, and seen a lot of poverty in various regions. The enormity of need sometimes feels overwhelming, and it is hard to know how to respond. How do you really understand what’s going on for people and what interventions are really going to be catalysts for long-lasting and real help? I wanted to know more about responding to need in the world, so I completed a post-graduate diploma in Development. Having been involved in community development for over 10 years now, I know that the aid we give is making a difference in the world. Targeted interventions can help loosen the grip of poverty and enable people to live with more options and freedom.

Rachel Vince

I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege of being involved in child sponsorship with Tearfund through my local church and also personally. I have sponsored children through Tearfund for many years, and until recently, have been very involved in a monthly garage sale at my church. Some of the money raised supported our regular sponsorship of a child in Ethiopia.

I’m also very supportive of Tearfund’s Protect work, which seeks to compassionately combat human trafficking, slavery, and the exploitation of poor and vulnerable people.

I support Tearfund as I believe the financial funding raised through donations and bequests is well stewarded and administered wisely. Both of these things are very important to me.

I decided to leave a bequest to Tearfund as I believe their work is making a difference in fighting injustice and alleviating poverty around the world. They are putting faith into practical action and achieving results that transform lives and local communities. I know anything that I leave them will be well used and help those in greatest need.

Kate Turner

In 2010 I had a dream. I saw a peloton of bike riders racing over seven days throughout New Zealand and at the same time helping Tearfund pump up their resources to fight global child sex trafficking, as they so effectively do.

Having fifty years in the Insurance business with hundreds of clients has given me real insight into the world of charity effectiveness. Tearfund (plus a few others) stood out as compassionate, thoughtful and effective operators, making a measurable difference in this world, with every member on their staff focused and inspired, personally, spiritually and practically.

2012 arrived, and along with it the first Tour of New Zealand cycle race. We found the competitors could pump in some needed cash by gaining sponsorship, and several hundreds of thousands dollars later the effectiveness of Tearfund and the rescue of girls multiplied.

When I walk into the next life I want to have written on my headstone, “I hope that you are looking forward to joining me in a few years as much as I will be in welcoming you”.

It was an easy decision in choosing to leave behind a good bequest to Tearfund knowing that as I go on to the next adventure, my reach on this planet continues in one of the most meaningful ways I can think of.

Peter Yarrell