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| Brian
with Toolkits bound for Uganda |
Brian Dash, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate was so impressed
by his visit to the Tools for Self Reliance workshops in
Netley Marsh, that he made a donation to help the worthwhile
project continue its vital work.
He
was the special guest of Cliff Lewis, a former Science
and Technology teacher, and one of a small number of volunteers
who sort through donated tools, refurbish them, and then
the tools are packed into kits to be sent to artisans in
Africa, who can make good use of them.
Brian
was shown around the workshops, gaining a good insight
into how the charity operates, starting with the sorting
process as donated old tools arrive, to them being cleaned
and refurbished and then packed, ready for the containers
to transport them overseas.
Tools
for Self Reliance is a charity formed in 1979 and
consists of a network of 700 volunteers in the UK,
from Aberdeen to the Channel Islands working in partnership
with groups in 6 African countries, (Sierra Leone,
Tanzania, Ghana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe).
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| Brian
discussing the network of volunteers with Cliff,
Sarah & Abby |
Speaking
with Sarah, who is the Partnership Development Officer,
Brian learned that to increase the number of shipments
to Africa, it would need more volunteers to come forward.
No experience was required, and learning new skills
can be fun! So
far this year, eleven 20-foot containers have been
shipped to Africa, which included over 800 sewing
machines. Each shipment costs between £1500 and £2500,
and once they arrive, the partners in Africa deal with
transportation to the villages eagerly awaiting
the tool kits.
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| Shockblasting a hammer head |
During
the visit, Brian was given the opportunity to have
a go at the refurbishment process on a hammer head. Most
of the equipment sent consists of hand tools, and sewing
machines, which are specifically requested by the village
development groups who are running specific projects.
There is a need at the moment for anvils and vices.
(If you are able to donate any of these items, contact
details are at the bottom of the page.)
Brian
also met up with the four European volunteers, who are
spending a year with Tools for Self Reliance, and also
learning English at the same time, Katrina from Austria,
Kasia from Poland, Ricardo from Spain and Paulo from Germany.
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| Cliff
Lewis with Brian and two of the European Volunteers |
Brian
said of his visit: "It was an eye opener and at the
same time, inspiring, because what we have here is practical
help for Africa provided by volunteers, many of them retired,
who are demonstrating that they are making a difference
to peoples' lives."
Additional
photos of Brian's visit are available here
| Contact details
for Tools
for Self Reliance |
Netley
Marsh,
Southampton,
SO40 7GY, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)23 8086 9697
Fax
+44 (0)23 8086 8544
Tools for Self Reliance Web
Site
Email info@tfsr.org
Please note:
Tools for Self Reliance want useable tools that need cleaning and sharpening
and not gardening tools !
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