Our Values
Five Talents’ values are the rock (Petroc, in Greek) on which our work is founded. For many of our trustees, staff, partners and programme members, Jesus is also the rock on which our work is founded, and a strong commitment to the Christian faith underpins these values and all that we do.
Though individual board members have a diversity of beliefs, everyone in the wide Five Talents Family is in sympathy with the Christian faith. Our programmes are open to people of all faiths and none. There are countless urgent calls in the Bible to seek justice with and for those who have been marginalized and live in poverty, and all in the Five Talents family believe our work is a response to that mission.
We strive to be:
Patient
We're a hard-working, high-performing organization so patience might appear an odd value to adopt, especially as our ultimate goal is to put ourselves out of a job as soon as possible! We long for a world with no more poverty and injustice. But we know that community development, relationships and genuine change take time, and 'quick fix' solutions can do more harm than good. We know that patience translates to sustainable change.
Equitable
Poverty is both a cause and symptom of many intersecting dimensions of inequality – from economic inequity to gender bias, to climate fragility, racial injustice and much more. We are committed to tackling these injustices through our micro-enterprise programs as we help communities build resilience and a better future. We seek genuine diversity throughout our organization, to recognize unheard voices across our work and to address the legacy of colonization.
Transparent
Our work is a true collaboration between supporters, partners and Savings Groups members in which trust and integrity underpin all we do. Supporters, partners and Savings Group members trust us with gifts of time, talents and money. Therefore, complete transparency is of utmost importance.
Relational
People are the most important asset we have. We refer to ourselves as the Five Talents Family, with supporters, partners and Savings Group members being a part of that family. In all aspects of our missional work, we strive to build lasting relationships, not merely transactional exchanges.
Open
We are open and committed to evidence-based research and learning so that we can continue to improve how we work and its outcomes. After more than 20 years of experience walking with our partners and Savings Group members, we know we still have much to learn from them, as well as from our research data.
In Covenant
Our relationships -- between our country organizations, with our delivery partners, and with those we serve -- go beyond contracts, MOUs, terms of reference or partnership agreements. They are sacred commitments to collaborate, or walk with one another, in faith toward shared goals.
Strategic Priorities
Growth - Because we know what we do works, and the need is immense.
One Five Talents - Because working as one enhances programme quality, operational efficiency and fund-raising potential.
Accelerate capacity in implementing partners - Because locally-owned solutions, both programme management and fundraising, are more sustainable.
Tell the world! - Because we need more champions to support us, and we can inspire others to replicate our success.
Where to next?