Why should I join?
Transform team at work with Sheepfold Ministries in Kenya.
We don’t need to tell you the world needs change. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The good news is that change is possible. Tearfund’s Christian partners across the world are making a real difference to the lives of individuals and whole communities. Tearfund’s Transform programme gives you the chance to stand alongside them in the work that they are doing.
What happens on the programmes?
The programmes all support the work of Tearfund partners and you will be working with them as part of a team. Some teams focus on physical work such as maintenance, building, making water tanks or digging. Others concentrate on more relational tasks with children, young people or adults in a variety of projects, such as helping children with disabilities, holiday clubs and teaching English. All programmes support development projects that carry on after you’ve gone home.
Whatever you do, there’ll be lots of time to develop relationships with local people and get involved in the regular meetings of local Christians. You’ll also do a series of Bible studies and discussions on poverty issues.
Let’s be quite clear: the work you’ll do will be very useful, but you’ll probably get more out of the programme than your hosts will! Your visit will leave local people encouraged to carry on the work long after you have gone. But more important than what you leave behind is the change that will happen in your life. Living in a different culture will change your values, understanding and feelings about poverty, what you do with your life and how you want to change the world. The rest of your life starts here.
Who can apply?
Committed evangelical Christians who currently live in the UK or Ireland and are involved in a church which can provide a reference for you. We’re looking for people who are flexible, will contribute to the team, are growing in their relationship with God and are part of a local Christian group that can support them in prayer.
Tearfund does not discriminate against applicants on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic background or disability. However, you do need to be fit and well. We welcome applications from those with disabilities that will not significantly hinder their mobility or ability to care for themselves in the UK or developing world.
Are there any age restrictions?
To go on a Transform trip independently, you must be over 18. There is no upper age limit on who can go on a trip, although a small premium may be payable by those over 75 (to cover any increase in insurance costs). Yourselves group trips can include participants under the age of 18, however this is at the Transform team's discretion - please contact the office for more information.
Where do I stay and what do I eat?
Accommodation and food varies from team to team. However we can guarantee that you will have a mattress under you and a roof over you! You may be sleeping in a church, house, school, or simple guesthouse. Two-week teams tend to live in a guesthouse with running water. Food will usually be a mixture of local food and English food. It is hard to predict what you will encounter so you need to expect the unexpected. Our most common complaint from teams is that they are treated too well!
What about training and support?
Preparation Pack: Three months before going overseas or at your orientation all participants are given a preparation pack. The Pack contains medical advice and all the forms needed to obtain medical clearance, information about immunisations, flight and visa information, a kit list and specific country information. It also includes a checklist of everything you will need to do before your trip and when you need to do it by. The Pack also contains all the information we think you’ll need to know to prepare you for your trip, including: in-depth medical and travel advice, travel insurance information, cultural guidelines, fundraising ideas and advice about involving your local church.
Orientation: You must attend an orientation course. This will be the first time you meet your team. The course will prepare you to visit a new culture, and help you and your team get to know each other. There are also sessions on culture, staying healthy, safety and security, information about where you are going, as well as plenty of time to focus on God. We work in partnership with Interhealth, a medical charity for those travelling and working overseas. We take health and safety very seriously and comply with the Global Connections Code of Best Practice in providing you with adequate insurance cover, 24-hour support whilst overseas and the appropriate equipment.
Follow up: On your return to the UK you will be offered a debrief for your team and in the autumn after you return we organise a weekend event for the whole year’s teams to get together. This is an excellent opportunity to renew friendships, to review what you’ve experienced, most importantly to thank God for all that he has done and to ensure that it continues to impact your life.
Responsibility: The teams are led by people who are often known to Tearfund, have travelled overseas before and have had previous leadership experience. All team leaders are given full Tearfund training.
What should I take with me?
You will be given a Preparation Pack either three months before you go overseas or at your orientation and this will tell you everything you need to take with you and also all you need to do before you go.
Who will be on my team?
Teams are open to anyone over the age of 18. However they are generally made up of participants between the ages of 18 and 25.
What about security?
We take a number of steps to ensure the safety and security of our teams whilst overseas. We consult our Regional Desk Officers based in Teddington, the overseas Tearfund Partner that the team is visiting and the latest Foreign Office travel advice, before making decisions about whether a team can travel. We will cancel a trip if we are not happy with the security situation. Team Leaders are all briefed on our Emergency Procedures and are able to contact us 24 hours a day. We carry out a Risk Assessment before the teams go overseas and all Team Leaders are required to carry out another Risk Assessment when they arrive, to be emailed back to us in the office. All team members receive a safety and security briefing at their orientation.
How much will it cost?
The teams vary in price from year to year. The cost includes the following: orientation, Transform International Weekend (unless otherwise agreed), travel in country, accommodation, food, insurance (only for your overseas work), Tearfund Fee and medical clearance. It does not cover injections, travel to and from the orientation and Transform International Weekend, or any day-trips/gifts bought whilst in country. For 2009 onwards, your trip cost does not include flights. When we first meet you at an interview day or at an orientation we will give you some ideas about fundraising. For specific team costs please call the Transform Team on 020 8943 7777.
Please note that all costs are subject to change; this is due to the variable nature of overseas travel expenses.
What is the Tearfund Fee?
The Tearfund fee is a variable charge which covers our administration and overseas support for you whilst you travel. The charge is worked out as follows:
The Tearfund fee is based on a flat fee and a weekly fee.
For 09/10 this will be £130 + £40pw.
This makes the fee for:
a 1wk trip £170
a 2wk trip £210
a 4wk trip £290
a 6wk trip £370
a 3m trip £610
a 4m trip £770
Why are deposits non-refundable?
Deposits are non-refundable because your application and subsequent placement on a team cause us to incur costs. We believe that these costs should be covered by you the applicant, rather than Tearfund.
When you apply you are required to send in a non-refundable deposit of £50. The deposit covers the administrative costs of processing your application, interviewing and/or assigning you to a team.
After we have confirmed your place and selected you, we will ask you to send in a further deposit of £800. This is for administrative, preparatory, in country and other costs that have to be paid in advance and again, this is non-refundable.
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances causing you to withdraw, you are required to put them in writing and we will consider the appropriate course of action with you.
If at the time of applying the dates and location of the trip have not been advertised we will refund your deposit if you subsequently decide not to travel due to the destination or dates of travel.