TFSR aims to empower artisans working in developing countries so that they can better participate in the development of themselves and their communities. To achieve this we work with local partner organisations to provide tools and skills training, and raise awareness in the UK of the causes of poverty.

Since its inception, TFSR has been working closely with local partner organisations in Africa in order to deliver effective and targeted material aid to the rural poor of the region. Moreover, we have been actively mobilising a broad-based volunteer base in the United Kingdom to spread awareness about issues such as rural poverty in Africa, importance of sustainable livelihoods, income diversification, as well as to assist with the tool collection and refurbishing programme of the organisation.

We recognise the fact that tools are only a small part of the answer to the problems facing the poor. Consequently, we rely on our local partner organisations to take a wider view of the needs of rural crafts-workers. In collaboration with our partners, we strive to provide appropriate support and conditions, such as:

• Ensuring availability of credit to the crafts-workers
• Presence of a real and sustainable supply of spare parts and raw materials
• Skills to use a particular type of tool, and repair and replacement of tools
• Ongoing demand for products

• Business and enterprise training

  This integrated approach to development helps to ensure that the provision of tools results in self-reliance not dependency.

  At TFSR we are continually striving to find more effective ways of working with our partners in Africa. Our Organisational Strategy 2001-2006: Building on Partnership outlines our vision, mission, core principles, distinctive approach and aims for the period.

  After a series of consultative workshops with our beneficiaries and stakeholders, the following have been identified as our organisational goals for 2006 -2007:

• Build upon our existing levels of tool shipments in order to meet the increase in requests for toolkits from our partners in the face of growing local needs.
• Adopt a holistic sustainable livelihood framework in our programming, focussing not only on the enhancement of physical assets of the target group but also taking into account their financial, social, human and environmental assets, as well as the policies, processes and institutions that impact their livelihoods.
• In collaboration with our local partners, develop new projects in target countries with the aim of training rural crafts-workers in business development and technical skills, which would enable them to sustain their livelihoods as well as make positive contributions towards community development by creating further livelihood opportunities.
• Mobilise local partner organisations to effectively lobby with their respective governments for the ratification of international conventions and introduction of national legislation, safeguarding the rights of rural workers (ILO Conventions No. 177 on homework, No.141 on rural workers organisations, etc).

• Impart skills training to our volunteer base with the aim of harnessing its potential to undertake effective advocacy, awareness-raising, and fundraising activities within the United Kingdom.