The Mabaale Metalwork and Mechanics group started up with ten members and an auto-mechanics kit from Tools for Self Reliance in 2001.

Uganda Rural Development and Training recently visited the Goodwill Tailoring Group, which received tools from Tools for Self Reliance in October 2002.

The well-established Ngabi Youth Group started in 1989 with 150,000 Ugandan shillings and has built up its capital to 2.2 million Ugandan shillings, or £6400.

Tools for Self Reliance sent Kyarwakya United Carpentry a small joinery kit in 2006, which has helped the group achieve their phenomenal growth of 500% since the group began.

When the Ugandan Rural Development and Training organisation recently visited an artisan enterprise in Kakumiro Kibaale distrist, they were amazed at what they found.

This family business applied for a tool kit via the Artisan Support Programme in 2003.

The 1st December 2006 was World AIDS Day, giving people worldwide the opportunity to unite in the fight against the spread of this preventable disease. According to the World AIDS Day website, around 40 million people globally are living with HIV, but what do these unimaginable figures mean in the real world?

Victor Turyamureba and Everest Karabu of Uganda Rural Development Training (URDT) recently spent two months working alongside volunteers at the Netley Marsh workshops learning the art of tool refurbishment and sharing their experiences of working with artisans in Uganda.

As part of our drive to support more vocational training projects Tools for Self Reliance visited Zambia in November to establish contacts with potential partner organisations there.

A special tool presentation ceremony was held at Maria Yiri Wa in the Upper West Region of Ghana by African partners Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP).

Tools for Self Reliance has been working with Men at the Side of the Road (MSR) over the past three years to support their work with unemployed people in South Africa.

Maria Goretti is a single woman, an ex social worker and a quietly ambitious woman. She had travelled to a few different towns initiating projects whilst she was a social worker. However, her career plans were disrupted when her sister died of AIDS.

Tools received from Tools for Self Reliance have enabled the M/S Wazee Wastaafu Carpentry Unit to expand their business and train more employees.

Our tool sending programme has resulted in higher incomes, increased workload, more products and services, and better training opportunities. That is according to a recent survey of artisans.

Project Background

Assisting artisans access tools through TFSR/UK has been one of ARD’s commitments in alleviating poverty and improving standards over the past years. This was intensified when the Tools After Conflict Project was designed to increase the local production of goods and services and to provide training and employment for young people. Through this project [...]

The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone and Tools for Self Reliance have collaborated to run a one-off project which improves the toolmaking and blacksmith skills of local artisans.

It is said that one plus one makes two. Indeed, Kwatampora which literally means “never hurry in anything” has come a long way from one man’s organisation to a fully-fledged registered company by very many pushes from different benevolent hands. Among others was Network of Kasese Artisans (NOKA) that gave us a great boost in 1998.

The road to success for John Nuobatolo, Manager of St Joseph the Worker Garage, has not been an easy one, but a success he is and an inspiration to all those around him.

The lack of qualified people able to repair sewing machines means that many artisans can lose their means of income when their machines break down. Action on Disability and Development (ADD) in Ghana have designed and facilitated a comprehensive training course to show artisans exactly how to keep their machines working and maintained.

Tools for Self Reliance works with people like Stella Ntori who set up a small community based organisation that works with young girls and provides them with a wide range of activities and programmes.

In a small side street in Tamale, alongside a busy primary school, lies the Super Shoe Shop. It is just one of the businesses who have been supported by Tools for Self Reliance.