Tools with a Mission (TWAM)

Reclaim scrap tools for further use in developing countries

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Ingenious ideas are often beautifully simple and that certainly applies to the charity, Tools with a Mission (TWAM). Volunteers across the South East and the Midlands collect unwanted tools of all types, refurbish them, sort them into packs suitable for business start-ups in different trades and ship them off to four countries in Africa. Further details can be found on the TWAM website.

After an online presentation from TWAM in the autumn of 2022, Uppingham Rotary Club liked the idea and decided to help. However, the first hurdle was where to store any donated tools? Fortunately, Mrs Jasmine Knew, who lives close to this year’s Rotary Club President, Colin Gordon, came to the rescue with space in a barn at the back of the Old Hall in Belton-in-Rutland. Publicity followed using newsletters, WhatsApp groups and the Nextdoor app which brought donations flooding in. Collections were made all over Uppingham, also from Lyddington, Thorpe by Water, Harringworth, Billesden and Belton, to name just a few locations. In many cases, really good quality tools were donated and it would be fascinating to somehow put tracker chips on them all to follow what will become of them. Of particular interest would be three Singer sowing machines, which will no doubt lead to three or more African women starting successful tailoring businesses.

Uppingham Rotary received a big thank you from TWAM, which we want to pass on to all the generous donors and also to Jasmine Knew. It’s great to make good things happen and that’s what Rotary is all about.