Tools4Africa Update

Our International Committee project to collect ‘Tools for Africa’ involved three collecting dates – two at the Farrington Gurney Village Hall and one at the Chew Valley Rugby Club. The response was tremendous and produced two dozen sewing machines and countless tools formerly used by gardeners, carpenters, mechanics etc. On Friday a box trailer and transit van loaded with the assorted items travelled to the workshop of Tools for Self- Reliance Cymru in Crickhowell, Powys where they were handed over to three of the TfSR-C volunteers. Geoff, remarked ‘That’s the biggest collection of tools we have ever received in one hit’.

Members of the Welsh charity will now sort out the tools and sewing machines and refurbish them prior to sending them out in a shipping container to Mwanza in Tanzania. Their aim is to provide refurbished tools, sewing machines and free training to rural artisans in Tanzania. This enables families to improve their livelihoods in areas where life is challenging.

The attached photographs show two of the TfSR-C volunteers; the charity sign and the interior of the workshop. These are the only three that I managed to save successfully.