History Of Tear Australia: Foundation And Mission

when was tear australia founded

Tear Australia, also known as Tearfund Australia, is a Christian development, relief, and advocacy organisation that was founded in 1971. It is a legally independent agency that works in partnership with Christian organisations around the world and with Indigenous Australians to address the root causes of poverty and marginalisation. Inspired by Jesus' call to love thy neighbour, Tear Australia works to provide emergency relief, as well as medium-term recovery and rehabilitation projects.

Characteristics Values
Year founded 1971
Original name The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund
Acronym TEAR
Current name Tearfund Australia
Type of organisation Christian development, relief and advocacy organisation
Focus Ending poverty and injustice
Work locations Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Australia's First Peoples
Number of countries 50
Annual income £85 million

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Tear Australia was founded in 1971 as Tearfund Australia

Tear Australia, originally known as Tearfund Australia, was founded in 1971. It was established as part of the Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA) when its then-president, Dr Leon Morris, inspired the creation of a dedicated emergency relief fund. At an AEA board meeting in July 1971, Dr Morris put $10 of his own money on the table, and thus The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund was born. The fund's original purpose was to meet two human needs: spiritual direction and assurance, and physical help, such as food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.

Under the AEA, Tearfund Australia grew steadily, appointing its first staff members in 1977. By 1979, the organisation had formed an independent board. Tear Australia continued to operate as a part of the AEA until 1998, when it was incorporated as a legally independent agency. This transition also brought a reshaping of the acronym TEAR to the byline "Transform, Empower, Advocate, Restore".

As an independent agency, Tear Australia continued its work in addressing global poverty and injustice. It partners with Christian organisations worldwide and collaborates with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in Australia. Tear Australia's projects focus on both short-term emergency relief and medium-term recovery and rehabilitation initiatives. The organisation believes in the importance of storytelling in communicating its global achievements and engaging supporters.

Tear Australia's work is guided by its vision for a just and compassionate world. It strives to provide practical support and restore hope to those in need, regardless of their background or beliefs. The organisation's initiatives aim to improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalised individuals, uniting communities and empowering them to shape their future.

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The organisation was originally known as The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund Committee

TEAR Australia, originally known as the Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund Committee, was founded in 1971. The organisation was established as part of the Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA) by its then-president, Dr Leon Morris, with the aim of creating a dedicated emergency relief fund. At an AEA board meeting in July 1971, Dr Morris contributed $10 of his own money, thus marking the birth of the fund. The original purpose of the fund was twofold: to provide spiritual direction and assurance, and to offer physical aid in the form of food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.

Under the umbrella of the AEA, TEAR Australia experienced steady growth. The organisation appointed its first staff members in 1977, and by 1979, it had formed an independent board. TEAR Australia's work initially focused on providing short-term emergency relief and medium-term recovery and rehabilitation projects in collaboration with local Christian development organisations.

In 1998, TEAR Australia underwent a significant transition. With the blessing of the Evangelical Alliance, the organisation became legally independent and reshaped its acronym to the byline "Transform, Empower, Advocate, Restore." This shift reflected a broader scope of work, including partnerships with Christians and Indigenous communities in Australia and various countries worldwide.

Today, Tearfund Australia, as it is now known, continues its mission to end poverty and address injustice. The organisation works in partnership with Christian organisations and Indigenous groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. Tearfund Australia also extends its reach globally, operating in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The organisation remains committed to its vision of a just and compassionate world, inspired by Jesus' call to love our neighbours.

shunculture

Tear Australia was established to provide emergency relief and spiritual direction

Tear Australia, originally known as Tearfund Australia, was founded in 1971 as part of the Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA). The organisation was established to meet two human needs: spiritual direction and physical help.

At an AEA board meeting in July 1971, Dr Leon Morris, then-president of the AEA, contributed $10 of his own money to start The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund, later abbreviated to TEAR Fund. The fund was created to provide emergency relief and spiritual direction to those in need. Morris envisioned an organisation that would address both spiritual and physical needs, providing food, medicine, shelter, and clothing to those struggling.

As a Christian development, relief, and advocacy organisation, Tear Australia works in partnership with local Christian organisations and Indigenous Australian groups to address the root causes of poverty and marginalisation. They believe in following Jesus' call to love our neighbours, regardless of background or belief. This includes working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in Australia and similar groups worldwide.

Tear Australia's work encompasses short-term emergency relief projects and medium-term recovery and rehabilitation initiatives. They have supported various projects, including a preschool in Ethiopia, health facilities in Somalia, and primary education in Pakistan. Tear Australia also champions for more and better aid, advocating for fair government policies towards their global neighbours. Additionally, they have driven conversations about faith and consumerism and actively called for action on climate change.

Over the years, Tear Australia has evolved and expanded its reach. In 1977, they appointed their first staff members, and by 1979, they had formed an independent board. In 1998, with the Evangelical Alliance's blessing, Tear Australia became a legally independent agency, reshaping its acronym to the byline "Transform, Empower, Advocate, Restore." Today, Tear Australia continues to work towards a just and compassionate world, partnering with Christians and local communities to end poverty and address injustice.

shunculture

It became an independent agency in 1998

TEAR Australia, originally known as Tearfund Australia, was founded in 1971 as part of the Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA). The organisation was established by then-AEA President, Dr Leon Morris, who aimed to create a dedicated emergency relief fund. In 1998, TEAR Australia became an independent agency, legally separate from the Evangelical Alliance. This transition marked a significant milestone in the organisation's history, reshaping its acronym to the byline "Transform, Empower, Advocate, Restore".

Since its inception, TEAR Australia has been committed to tackling global poverty and injustice, partnering with Christian organisations and Indigenous groups in Australia and abroad. The organisation's work is grounded in Christian values, inspired by Jesus' call to love our neighbours. By addressing the root causes of poverty, TEAR Australia strives to empower communities and foster self-determination.

Prior to becoming an independent agency, TEAR Australia experienced steady growth under the AEA. The first staff members were appointed in 1977, and by 1979, the organisation had formed an independent Board. This period laid the foundation for TEAR Australia's evolution into a legally independent entity.

As an independent agency, TEAR Australia continued to expand its reach and impact. The organisation has worked in various regions, including Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, collaborating with local partners to address specific needs and challenges. TEAR Australia's projects range from short-term emergency relief to medium-term recovery and rehabilitation initiatives, reflecting the organisation's comprehensive approach to addressing poverty and injustice.

TEAR Australia's independence has allowed for greater flexibility and autonomy in decision-making, enabling the organisation to adapt its strategies and programmes to best serve the communities it works with. This independence also signifies the organisation's maturity and stability, reflecting its long-standing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.

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Tear Australia works with Christian organisations and Indigenous groups to address the root causes of poverty

Tear Australia, originally known as Tearfund Australia, was established in 1971 as part of the Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA). It was founded by the then-president of the AEA, Dr. Leon Morris, who contributed $10 of his own money to start The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund. Tear Australia's original purpose was to meet human needs for "spiritual direction and assurance" and "physical help—food, medicine, shelter and clothing".

Today, Tear Australia is a Christian development, relief, and advocacy organisation that addresses global poverty and injustice. They work in partnership with Christian organisations and Indigenous groups worldwide to address the root causes of poverty and marginalisation. Tear Australia is inspired by Jesus' call to "love our neighbours", regardless of their background or beliefs. They focus on projects that improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people, uniting communities and empowering them to direct their future.

Tear Australia works with local Christian development organisations to respond to short-term emergency relief projects and medium-term recovery and rehabilitation initiatives. They also partner with grassroots organisations and local Christian agencies, developing long-term holistic transformation for communities facing poverty and injustice. Tear Australia's partnerships are based on mutual respect, trust, and accountability.

One example of Tear Australia's work is their partnership with the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Development Commission (EKHCDC). Together, they have established preschools in rural areas, providing early learning opportunities and training for teachers. Through this initiative, 200 children have transitioned to primary school since 2017. Tear Australia also works to provide safe water, hygiene, and sanitation projects, with a goal of helping 11,000 people access clean water.

In addition to their international work, Tear Australia collaborates with churches and Christian groups in Australia to empower and inform Christians about responding to suffering and oppressed communities. They also advocate for more and better aid, calling on the government to act fairly towards their global neighbours.

Frequently asked questions

TEAR Australia was founded in 1971 as Tearfund Australia, as part of the Australian Evangelical Alliance (AEA).

The original purpose of TEAR Australia was to "meet two human needs: one for spiritual direction and assurance, the other for physical help—food, medicine, shelter and clothing".

TEAR Australia is now known as Tearfund Australia.

Tearfund Australia is a Christian development, relief, and advocacy organisation that addresses global poverty and injustice. They work in partnership with Christian organisations and Indigenous Australians to help them address the root causes of poverty and marginalisation.

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