We are a Christian international development organisation committed to working with children, families and communities to overcome extreme poverty and injustice. As such:
- We view children as partners in the process of bringing holistic transformation to communities.
- We uphold every child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- We believe child protection is everyone’s responsibility, which means every person who shares in our work also shares the responsibility to take precautions to protect the children who are participating.
- We are committed to protecting the security, privacy and dignity of all children who are in any way involved in our organisation, both in New Zealand and abroad.
Child Security
Along with our partners, we are actively involved in ensuring children in our programmes are completely secure from the fear of abuse or actually suffering abuse, resulting from inappropriate contact by any person. Tearfund does not permit direct, unmonitored communication (phone calls, emails and unplanned visits) with children, including a sponsored child or family. All visits must be approved by Tearfund.
Child Privacy
As you look through our website, you will see that limited information is released about children. We don’t share last names, or any information that might identify a child’s location. Child sponsorship profiles convey restricted information about the child needing sponsorship. We welcome you to share your sponsored child with your family and friends on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc). However, in order to protect their security please do not post the child’s last name, ID number or personal location/address. Tearfund prohibits geotagged media that exposes a child’s precise location. When sharing a child’s photo or video please take measures to prevent others downloading, copying or replicating the information. Tearfund takes potential misuse of child photographs on the web very seriously. Children and their families must be assured Tearfund is protecting the integrity of the information about themselves that they’ve given us, including photographs.
Child Dignity
Please ensure that any photos you share with others are appropriate, with your sponsored child or any other children being adequately clothed and portrayed with dignity. If you receive a photo, or take a photo yourself on an approved visit, that you are unsure whether it will meet these standards, please contact us. Tearfund is committed to always acting in the best interests of children and believes they must be represented with accuracy and dignity. We seek the full, informed consent of parents, guardians, and/or community leaders for a child’s participation in our programmes and this includes the use of images and stories about them.
Your Security
Your privacy and security are equally important to us and children and their families, including sponsored children, are discouraged from contacting you without Tearfund’s knowledge. This is to protect you from being solicited to meet needs beyond your commitment as a supporter or sponsor. If you are contacted, please contact Tearfund as soon as possible.
Contact Us
We appreciate your support and understanding in protecting the privacy and safety of children. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.