This is the transcript of a video message from one of our patrons, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You can view a low bandwidth (dial-up) version or a high bandwidth (broadband) version.

Dear Friends

I congratulate Tools for Self Reliance very warmly on the celebration of 25 years of service. You have a wonderful record. Your supporters have offered old and disused tools, others have repaired them and then sent them where they are most needed in developing countries.

I’m proud to be patron of such a worthwhile organisation and can testify to the value of your work as thousands of tools have been sent to Cape Town to help the Men by the Side of the Road project. There are thousands who seek work but have no tools, no implements and no machines. With tools a person can make something, build something, grow something. There is a saying, “If you give a man a fish he will eat for a day; if you teach him how to fish he can support himself and his family, always”.

I hope that many will support our appeal for more tools, more volunteers and the resources to ship tools to those who are eager to support themselves. I’m hugely impressed with the work so far done. Give generously of yourselves and your resources. You will be changing lives.

God Bless You.