How things change: a partnership manager’s journal

In 18 months working with Tearfund’s International Programs Team, I’ve learned a lot about development programs, funding processes, participatory learning tools, compliance requirements. And spreadsheets. So many spreadsheets.

But I’ve also learned about change: the slow trickles and the rushing streams. It’s been a privilege to hear stories of change from our partners – stories of clean water and healthy children, of employment opportunities and access to entitlements.

I’ll be honest and say that not all the changes have been good. Conflicts and natural disasters can happen without warning, throwing the river of change off course. But somehow there are always glimmers of hope, and I’m reminded that change is possible – and that it’s already happening.

Here are five things I’ve learned about change through the work of our partners.

Eventually, so many women were convinced that they had to make two separate self-help groups.

Soon enough, they hit the next hurdle: the men in the community were not on board. The groups were on the verge of being shut down, until the EHA staff worked directly with the men to gain their trust as well.

Both groups are still running now, with each woman contributing a small amount each month to their joint savings account. Progress will take time, and there will probably be more setbacks. But, thanks to the strength of these women and the commitment of the EHA team, change is happening.

2. Change can be super-fast

Change isn’t always slow. Sadly though, the fastest changes can also be the most devastating.

In July last year, staff from the Diocese of Hyderabad, our partner in Pakistan, started telling us that monsoon rains were heavier than usual. These rains quickly became one of the worst floods Pakistan has experienced. Huge areas of farmland were destroyed, over 1,700 people lost their lives, and 33 million people were affected.

Communities in Sindh province, where our partner works, were among the hardest hit. Many of them spent months living on roadsides, unable to return to their damaged homes. Freshwater handpumps, smokeless stoves, kitchen gardens and agricultural plots were all destroyed. It was heartbreaking to think that years of faithful development work might be erased so quickly.

When the floodwaters subsided, families who had lost everything got on with the task of rebuilding. With bricks made from the mud after the flooding, they built homes, latrines and kitchens, raising them on platforms to minimise damage from future floods. The bright artworks were a bonus, as many women had extra time on their hands while they were unable to work. While they may not have used the term “art therapy”, I’m sure it was a big part of their recovery.

Even though I didn’t get to meet the woman in the photo, sitting amongst the cheerful colours of her newly-built kitchen, she taught me a lot about resilience.

4. Community brings change

More recently, a group of 14 women taught me about leadership, strength and the power of community. I was privileged to be part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Australia Awards Fellowship program, bringing women leaders from seven international partners and one First Peoples partner together for two weeks of sharing, learning and connection.

Leadership styles, self-awareness, creation care and many other topics were part of the program. But it was more than classroom learning. People learned about each other’s contexts and the challenges they face, they built on each other’s strengths and encouraged each other.

There was plenty of laughing and eating and seeing kangaroos, and lots of terrible weather. Some people saw the beach for the first time in their lives. And all of them, I’m fairly certain, were changed because of the community they found in each other.

As far as I can tell, lasting change can’t happen unless women are empowered. And it was an honour to meet this group of strong women leaders, who are already part of the change. I’m excited to see where this leads.

Volunteers look after the garden in the Tearfund head office. Committees dedicate unpaid time to giving advice and recommendations on the programs we support. I just heard that someone voluntarily collects our hard-to-recycle items from the office. Individuals and small groups advocate for changes to systems. They raise awareness of issues that don’t make the news. Where they see poverty and injustice, they call their churches to action. Useful Gifts stallholders provide an antidote to frenzied Christmas consumerism. And thousands of people pray every day for the work that our partners are doing across the world.

Change is happening. Partners, communities, Tearfund staff and supporters are all part of this change, in their different ways.

The streams are flowing, and I like to believe they’re getting stronger.