It has been a long time since the last newsletter and so lots of things and changes happened within the organisation. At first, in the nature of tools, a lot of people changed, the EVS Volunteers are all different, we gained support from the New Deal Programme, but lost a lot of people as well.

Long term volunteers Hamish and Alistair are leaving the project after over 12 and nearly 6 years to head for the Netherlands and Dublin in April. Everybody in tools would like to thank you for your commitment and all the work during so many years. The remaining work out systems to cope with everyday live and try to fill the gaps (if that will be possible?). We are also very grateful for the help from Peter who fights every week to get a bit of order and fun in our messy workshop life. And as well we would like to thank: Gordon, Richard, Paul and Paul, Andrew for all the refurbishment, without yous we couldn’t have done so many kits!

There is also Jim coming twice a week now, he will be part of a sailing crew hopefully taking tools to Africa and bringing fair-trade products back to Europe next year. Trevor and Colin are doing very good work and are helping out with loads of stuff in the workshop, they came with the New Deal programme.
We are still looking for someone to fill the gap, which is left by Annie, so if anyone knows someone, who would like to volunteer to do some Development Education work we would be grateful if you would get in touch!

The big Plan, which will dominate the Future developments in tools, is a sewing machine refurbishment centre in Tanzania. We will hopefully start at the end of this year and refurbish over 1000 sewing machines there in the coming 4 years.! We also change the volunteer’s work, in a way that every long placed volunteer gets his or her own projects which they will be responsible, for. Ivan will work with our friends in Uganda, Alessandra will manage the sewing area and supported volunteer’s in Belfast, as long as she will stay. Our new volunteer, Flavia, will help out in Downpatrick and Henner will try to find a new home for our horticultural tools.
Besides the sewing machine centre, which will be the main focus of the plans for the next year(s), there are several things planned. A new partner in Malawi has a strong request for tools. And In Uganda there are several training colleges waiting for our support.
We have also a new partner organisation in Northern Ireland. In Mourne Grange there is a Camphill community which just started to do some of the tool refurbishment with us. But first of all, dear reader, you should hear a bit more about the biggest of our Projects:

Refurbishing tools in Africa

As part of the field trip in April last year an investigation was carried out into the possibility of refurbishing sewing machines in Tanzania. This has been an aim for TFS for a long time and following some positive discussions with our partners we are now in the process of gathering information to assess it’s feasibility.

So why are we looking at refurbishing sewing machines in Tanzania and what are the implications for TFS in Belfast. There are many reasons why it makes more sense to have tools (not just sewing machines) refurbished close to were people will be using them. It means that skills are transferred, training to groups can be given and tools can be more easily maintained and brought back to the centre and re-sharpened/repaired. The cost of refurbishing is cheaper and the process of getting tools to the people or group in Tanzania is concerned is much better. They get the tools they want at the time and quantity they need.

This will mean that TFS will spend more of its time in setting up and supporting centres in other countries and less in refurbishing tools at Belfast. It is important not to lose the link between work, solidarity and development and this means that some refurbishment will still be carried out. This will in the future be more targeted and work with groups here who will want to be involved in something constructive.

As for the overseas refurbishment centre the next stage is to visit our partner in Tanzania in April to draw up a project description and business plan for the centre. Funding will then be sought and members of TFS will work with our partners for 2/3 months in Tanzania in establishing the centre.

Kikundi Cha Upendo Nyegezi sewing group in Mwanza, Tanzania, which received 3 Sewing machines from TFS Belfast. Visited in April by John and Alistair.

The Downpatrick Workshop

Global warming has not yet reached the workshop here. Clouds of white smoke, as if in surrender, fill the workshop. The tiny heaters pump out enough heat to warm the air 5cm in front, but when the sun is shining, like today, we are all warmed inside and happy to be working together.

This is a great crew of volunteers working in Downpatrick – our master sander, Jim, more Johns than the loos in the Europa, Alan and Brian , who have been coming here for more than two years, Trevor who works on his day off, Ami, deserted by her fellow Down High Girls, was not put off by the cold or the music. All of them and the others, especially the volunteer support from Belfast – Yvan, Henner, Marianna, Hamish and John make working here a real pleasure.

Many thanks to the people who have moved on since last time – special mention to Malcolm, without whom the workshop would not be here, Dominic and Nancy for their fundraising efforts, Al and of course all those in the Down Volunteer Centre.

We were very grateful to receive 3 year funding from the Community Volunteer Scheme, but not for all the bureaucracy that goes with it This will hopefully secure our future from the next few years. Meanwhile we are very excited to be working on our own consignment – a shipment of tools to an orphange in Malawi later in the summer.

Plans of expansion have been put on hold due to circumstances beyond our control but if anyone out there has a few Bangor Blues to donate – it would much appreciated. There is great big hole in the roof.

Downpatrick Workshop with local volunteer Malcolm refurbishing hand tools for an orphan group in Uganda.

Say hello, wave goodbye!

Since our last publication of “Solidarity” we have had 5 new chirpy EVS volunteers, Ivan from
France, Mario, Allessandra and Flavia from Italy and Henner from Germany.
We said farewell to Ellina, who worked in the Downpatrick workshop for 6 months, to Mario, Rene, Andreas and Marianna, who did brilliant work. Annie who did two and a half years of great Development Education Work and produced, amongst other things, the famous “Aid for a sustainable Future” Schoolpack and left us as well unfortunately. Travor and Colin came new to work in the organisation, through the stately “new deal programme”.

Goodbye! Auf Wiedersehn! Gao bie! Hasta Luego! Alividercie! Salut! To all of yous who left!!!

And a warm welcome! Willkommen! Benvenuto! Huanyíng! Bienvenue! Bienvenidos! To all who came!!!

What's happening?

- Open Sunday TFS Belfast – 4. March 2007
- Hamish and Alistair’s Farewell Party Some mysterious place - Probably on the 23. March
-The great NEEDabag? Party! (Recycling Event) St. Georges Market - 31. March 2007

Tools for Solidarity is a charity which collects old, unwanted hand tools, repairs and ships them out to skilled tradespeople in Africa and Latin America. Address: Unit 1B1, Edenderry Industrial Estate, 326 Crumlin Road, Belfast BT14 7EE. Tel 028 90 747473
visit TFS website:- toolsforsolidarity.org.uk

Disclaimer: Some of the views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Tools for Solidarity. This newsletter is anti-copyright but it's nice to be acknowledged!

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