ESC: Practical Aid for Practical People

Tools For Solidarity is a voluntary development and environment organisation that seeks to support working people in some of the poorest countries in the world by providing them with refurbished tools, sewing machines and training. We also seek to make connections between how our life choices impact on the environment - locally and global by promoting education for sustainable development. Finally we promote volunteering for all but with a particular emphasis on providing placements for those with extra support needs. We are a cross community inter generational project that promotes non formal learning and skills development.Tools for Solidarity has 3 main activities, they are: 1. To provide artisans in sub Sahara Africa with high quality refurbished tools, sewing machines, training and support. TFS is focusing at present on three projects. The Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre (MSTC) in Tanzania is a joint project with our partners SIDO – Small Industries Development Organisation. This centre was set up in 2007 to make available high quality sewing machines and training to artisans in the Lake Zone. TFS is also working on developing its model of promoting sustainable development through the provision of tools and training by establishing new projects. In 0212 we ran a pilot project with an organisation called the Women's Rights Initiative (WORI) based in Jinja in Uganda. They provide training and programmes for women and young people and operate a vocational training centre. This year we will start a 3 year programme with WORI that will entail the establishment of a tools and sewing machine refurbishment centre. A huge amount of preparation work is needed to make this a reality - tools need to be sorted and checked for quality, boxed and catalogued and a shipment prepared. 2. To promote volunteering for all and in particular to provide opportunities for local people and those with special needs to contribute to the work of TFS. This is done through training and support in tool cleaning and repair, passing on skills and assisting them while they are at TFS. 3. To assist with raising awareness of the issue of sustainable development by showing how over-consumption, wasting of resources and environmental degradation, including the affects of increasing carbon emissions, correlate with poverty levels and social inequality. This work includes organising and taking part in public events, making presentations to a wide range of groups and working with schools, production of publicity materials including videos and newsletters and our own programme of development education - Education for Sustainable Development. TFS is an environmental and development organisation run by volunteers. Our EVS volunteers will be encouraged and facilitated to be active in all aspects of the work of the organisation from tool refurbishment to administration, management and promotional work.