Tools For Solidarity is a non for profit organisation in Belfast. Our work is fully run by international, local and supported volunteers. And the main focus of our charity is to support artisans in the poorest parts of the world and mostly in the countries of Africa. We collect, refurbish and ship out old and unwanted hand tools and sewing machines to skilled tradespeople in Africa.
This act of solidarity enables them to become more self-reliant and have some hope for the future. We believe solidarity is not a one-way process. It is sharing the problems which face us all and realising that we all must be part of the solution. There is enough for everyone's needs but not everyone's greed.
This act of solidarity enables them to become more self-reliant and have some hope for the future. We believe solidarity is not a one-way process. It is sharing the problems which face us all and realising that we all must be part of the solution. There is enough for everyone's needs but not everyone's greed.
Services
Stephen Wood shared with his brother John Wood TFSR's activities (Tools For Self Reliance) in Cardiff, Wales. Both of them instantly got inspired by this idea and wanted to do the same in Northern Ireland. That's how John and Stephen decided to collect tools door to door and built up a stock of tools in Belfast.
In 2003 Tools For Solidarity was lucky to get a building in Downpatrick as an additional workshop. However, we had a little problem with it. Before our charity entered the place it was a former school which had not been touched for 15 years. The school itself was quite special because it was a part of a social programme back in the 18th century that provided housing and education to poor people.
TFS and Mourne Grange started to work together in the nineties when volunteers from both organisations collected tools in Kilkeel. TFS also run an international work camp where our volunteers joined the Camphill Community for two weeks. The principles and philosophy of the organisation always inspired us.
The Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre (MSTC) is a joint venture between a Tanzania organisation - Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) - and Tools for Solidarity. Mwanza Sewing and Training Centre opened in 2006 to help with the development of the tailoring sector among the poorest sections of both rural and urban areas of the Lake Region of Tanzania.
Back in 2019, we found out that there is a huge demand in neighbouring regions for high-quality second-hand tools for carpentry, blacksmithing, building and furniture making. Consequently, we have decided to open a further centre in Njombe, about 4 hours travel from Songea. The project supports and develops programmes in rural and urban areas of the Southern Highland Zone.
Reviews (8)
Loup
Aug 26, 2021
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Geoff Noble
Aug 19, 2021
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Rahel Koch
Aug 12, 2021
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Amazing Organisation! I was volunteering there for a year and I had a great time and learned a lot, thank you so much! Everyone is so welcoming and nice, it's really hard to leave again. TfS is a great organization to volunteer at and you will meet a lot of international people and learn new skills! I would absolutely recommend it!
Catherine Breen
Jan 22, 2020
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Dylan Longman
Jan 17, 2019
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James Latimer
Jan 13, 2019
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Mireia La Ke Kose
Sep 19, 2016
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Lorna Hagen McCormick
Feb 04, 2014
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