Our History
The Ian Richardson Foundation (originally known as The Sarah John Foundation) was founded in 1990 by Ian Richardson in honour of his parents John & Sarah Richardson.
John Victor Richardson, a limbless soldier from the First World War, and his wife Sarah Ann Richardson were early pioneer settlers of Swan Reach, Victoria. The name Sarah John Foundation was changed in 2011 to the Ian Richardson Foundation Inc. to honour the founder Ian, who died in 2009.
In 1990 Ian Joseph Richardson, the youngest child of Sarah and John Richardson established 'The Sarah John Foundation' with the support of his three siblings—Bill, Joan and Rae—to honour the memory of their godly parents.
Ian had forsaken his parents' upbringing for 30 years, until he went bankrupt for the last time. After a startling encounter with his parents' Saviour, Jesus Christ, he thought to honour their devotion in a loving way. His goal was to reach those less fortunate than they had been. Those, who through circumstances beyond their capacity, needed unconditional care and love to overcome their suffering and loss.
Four goals of the Foundation were:
- Teach
- Preach
- Feed the hungry
- Care for orphans and widows in their destitution
Ian met and married Margaret Lowes in 1993.
Ian and Margaret shared the same goals such as improving the lot of those who had nowhere to turn to in their time of need—be it for food or shelter or
fear of injury. The foundation's work grew from their faith, gifts and concern for people experiencing poverty.
Together, Ian and Margaret further developed the work Margaret had established on Smokey Mountain in Manila, Philippines, amongst the garbage dwellers. Ian removed the existing fruit and juice section of the teaching program to a larger-sized "Feeding Program" using Reliv vitamins. This feeding program did so well, and its benefits to the health and well-being of the people were astounding. However, Government restrictions and the increased costs of importing these products made this program financially impossible to maintain personally. Due to the incredible success of the feeding program, the Reliv company took over.
It extended their work so that Feeding Programs are now run by Reliv, which feeds many thousands of children daily. Reliv Feeding Programs have been separately established amongst other Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar. This was a product that people experiencing poverty could never attain, but by giving it freely, many lives have improved their health.
Margaret Richardson accompanied two Rivers of Life group members to Myanmar in 1995 before the country was opened to the world. There, she taught 34 illiterate people how to read, write and count and encouraged them to teach children through song and dance. These were called "Tini Tots" programs run on
a simple Day Care method. Education was unimportant then, but some wanted their offspring occupied as they struggled to survive. Parents were happy for someone to care for their children as they worked, opening the way for Preschools and Day Care Centres to be opened up the following year.
Margaret returned to Burma with Ian to continue the training of teachers, to foster their own creative development, as the rote method of learning often minimised the teachers. This was Ian and Margaret's 62nd year of life as they pursued a new path.
In 1996 a property was purchased for a generous older couple who undertook the care of 24 youngsters from war torn villages in the hills. There were some horrific personal tragedies amongst them, requiring loving patience to help each individual child. For example the Preschool, using techniques such as flash cards, with English on one side and Burmese on the other, ensured that this couple were able to become self-supportive immediately. The children shared the cooking, washing, etc. when not at school. It is rewarding to see the changes on the children’s faces, which had once mirrored the tragedy of their younger years. These children are now adults working responsibly among their communities as teachers, nurses, administrators and rural workers.
Since then the Ian Richardson foundation has continued to assist Christian locals with a heart to look after the orphans and children that are in need. As a result, we have helped purchase and support over 14 children’s homes that we have started. Seven of these homes are now in a position where they no longer need support. The other seven are well and truly on their way to self sufficiency.