Our theory of change
The importance of relationships is at the centre of our theory of change.Where it all begins
The importance of relationships is at the centre of our theory of change.
We believe that poverty is caused by broken relationships: within families, within communities and nations, with the environment, and ultimately, with God.
Systems are broken; opportunities fail to materialise; injustice, discrimination and relational dysfunction create further barriers to growth and to flourishing.
By building relationships – with families, children, vulnerable people, and with churches, schools and other organisations – we lay a strong foundation for transformation. We believe that strong and healthy families and communities are vital in helping people break out of poverty.
We help people to recognise their potential, develop their skills and knowledge, and find opportunities to move in positive directions. We invest time because building strong relationships and mutual trust takes time. We give people the space they need to heal and grow.
Safe spaces and new opportunities
Our approach involves creating spaces and opportunities for transformation. Home is not a safe space for some children – and that’s where our after school clubs and church activities come in. Here, children find mentors, friends, and a positive, supportive environment that helps them lay a strong foundation for future healthy relationships.
Other programmes such as our women’s group also provide safe spaces. Here, women find the love and support they need while facing struggles such as domestic violence or challenging relationships.
Our local heroes
Our local staff, or coordinators, are essential to the way we work. They journey alongside families and children through the ups and downs, the failures as well as the successes. They identify opportunities – for starting up a new business or developing an existing one, for improving living conditions or growing extra food.
Through their regular meetings and practical support, mutual trust emerges as families learn they can rely on us, overcome challenges and make positive changes to their lives. As well as trusting us, we trust them. Many receive self-sufficiency support, become volunteers themselves, join the same churches as our coordinators and become life-long friends.
Essential to our approach, whether with families, children or elderly people, is the fact that our staff are local and we work through the local church. Being locally rooted means that we understand the nuances of local cultural expectations and limitations, and can be quick to respond in a crisis.
A tapestry of support
We provide spiritual, emotional, educational, material and social support. Our spiritual support is woven into everything we do. From the beginning, our goal has been to reach people for Christ. At the same time, our practical support powerfully conveys the spiritual truth of God’s love. As one man phrased it on receiving a much-needed daily meal, “This hot meal, this care – this is God.”
Our material support provides a sense of security to families and vulnerable people living in deep poverty. But so often, it is our emotional and social support that has the biggest impact. Finding community and supportive friendship is often the biggest catalyst for change.
Our educational support transforms the futures of children who might otherwise drop out of school and fail to secure quality employment in future.
Even our scholarship programme not only provides students with financial help, but with emotional and social support, too.
Change that lasts
Transformational outcomes usually involve families and individuals being equipped with the resources, support networks, and opportunities they need in order to flourish.
When the family or child comes to the end of their time in our programme, the support we provided continues to have an impact. They are part of a supportive community and can seek support from others when needed; they have the tools to provide a living for their family; they have the resources to problem-solve in healthy ways when difficulties arise; they have emotional and spiritual wellbeing as a result of their newfound faith in God.
For both children and families, it is not just about outward success, it's about the kind of people they have become and the eternal hope they now have.
Our support allows for all or no beliefs; our aim is that every person we support will be powerfully impacted by the love and practical help we provide, with long-held destructive patterns of poverty and despair broken for good.