Choose a gift, send a card, fight poverty.
Every item in TEAR's Gift Catalogue represents a contribution to a long-term poverty-fighting project run by one of TEAR Australia's Christian partners. Each project is tailored to that community's needs, helping people gain the skills and resources they need to address local problems and come up with sustainable solutions.
Each Useful Gift fits into a bigger picture of poverty reduction:
Gifts which support earning a living
Imagine not knowing where your next meal was coming from, or if it was coming at all! For many poor and marginalised people, this is a reality faced every day. Helping people develop a livelihood is a crucial step in their development, as it empowers them to break out of the poverty cycle and begin to work towards building a future.
These gifts help to provide people with the gift of security - security of work, income and food. The gifts fund projects and programs that come under our Livelihoods and Food Security banner. This means that they all help people and communities learn new skills to set up their own businesses, or be more effective at growing food to sell, and to eat.
Gifts which help provide safe water
In many countries, inadequate access to safe water and sanitation, as well as poor hygiene practices, has a devastating impact on community and family life. Health-related illnesses such as diarrhoea can result in death or chronic illness. Having no close water source means people have to walk a long way just to get clean water for daily life. Things that seem simple to us - like toilets or water systems - can make a huge difference to communities and help people enjoy healthier and happier lives.
These gifts help to provide people with the gift of clean, safe water or improved sanitation. The gifts fund projects and programs that come under our Water and Sanitation banner. This means that they help people and communities to learn new skills, build new resources like toilets and wells, get better access to clean water and protect water supplies from contamination, drought or soil erosion.
Gifts which support learning
We all know an education is important. There are many difficulties people face if they can't read or write, or don't have basic numeracy. Without the ability to read basic signs, information and forms, such as paperwork to enrol in school, people miss out on opportunities to better their life.
These gifts help to provide people with the gift of learning and empower them to improve their life. The gifts fund projects and programs that come under our Basic Education banner. The projects deliver education to children and adults through teacher training, school supplies and equipment, as well as helping children gain access to local government schooling.
Gifts which support improved health
Many people living in poverty face a range of health issues, often caused by poor hygiene practices and sanitation and difficult access to health care. Chronic ill health makes it difficult to earn a living or go to school. Many of these health issues can be easily prevented with a little help.
These gifts help to provide people with the gift of health. The gifts fund projects and programs that come under our Basic Health banner. The projects deliver both health services, in the form of direct care or medicines, and health training in areas such as midwifery, disabilities, HIV care or general health provision.
Gifts of freedom
We often take for granted our ability to have a voice in society, access to an education and good civil and corporate governance. However, many poor communities don't have the same rights and freedoms as we do. This can be due to ongoing conflict or a lack of awareness, education or training.
These gifts help to provide people with the gift of freedom. The gifts fund projects and programs that come under our Strengthening Civil Society banner. This means that the projects deliver awareness training, peace and reconciliation programs, and human rights advocacy.
Gifts which support a whole village
All of the gifts in our Useful Gifts Catalogue help both individuals and their communities. Items like paths, bridges, hydro plants and sewing lessons are gifts that benefit a whole community in a more general way. There's also our 'Village Package' - a comprehensive development package designed to make a difference for generations to come.
