About us
We are a Crickhowell-based non-profit charity dedicated to supporting artisans in rural Tanzania.
What we do
We ship tools and sewing machines in 20ft containers at least once a year to our workshop in Kalwande, Tanzania (located in the Lake Zone). There, the equipment is refurbished and prepared for distribution to grassroots community groups, helping them create new opportunities to improve their livelihoods. We also provide funding for essential training and infrastructure development, including the construction of training workshops.
We presently concentrate our efforts in Tanzania where we work with our new partner: Kalwande Vocational Training Centre. Together we work towards a more equitable sharing of the world’s resources.
In numbers
We are Tools For Self Reliance Cymru and we collect old and unwanted hand tools and sewing machines.
In Wales
TFSR Cymru currently has around 70 volunteers — men and women of all ages. Our board of trustees is entirely made up of volunteers, many of whom can be found working in the workshop or representing us at fairs and festivals across the region. It’s a very hands-on team.
We employ one part-time staff member who oversees the running of our workshop and depot facilities. We also have supervisors to oversee volunteer training and scheduling and general operations.
It is from our Llangattock depot that the tools and sewing machines suitable for Tanzania are sorted and packed for shipping. The remaining tools go to our Crickhowell workshop for refurbishment. From there we them sell in our co-located shop. Additionally we also sell items on eBay and at the various fairs and festivals we attend. All proceeds go towards the running of the charity.
In Tanzania
In Kalwande we have four Full-time Tanzanian employees who manage the refurbishing of tools and sewing machines in our workshop on the campus.
They also distribute the tools to the various groups we support and help arrange the training classes that we fund at the college.
We also employ a local project officer to seek out groups that need our support and to identify groups who could benefit from our training programmes.
Where we are
Meet our teams
Meet our team in Wales
Staff:
Phil Pope, workshop and depot supervisor and maintenance of equipment, purchasing, pricing and volunteer training. Phil is pictured above running a blacksmith workshop at a festival.
Volunteer Supervisors:
Herb Haines, Jeff Knight, Jeff Thomas, Jon Steadman, and Mark Watkins
Trustees:
Katie Blackburn, Emily Tilling, Muir Sanderson, Herb Haines, Jonnie Hill, Pete Dickson and local legend Jeff Thomas. All contactable via contact@tfsrcymru.org.uk
Our team in Tanzania
Fr. Akriatus kumbago – Director of the college
Michael Kimaryo – Project Officer
Saidi Maguta – Our workshop manager
John Mtalingi – workshop technician
Viviana Prosper – workshop technician
Lukas Fredrick – sewing machine technician and training
Victoria Elias – assistant to Lukas Fredrick
Michael Kimaryo – Project Officer
Mike Laiser – Patron
Support us
Help us support the people of Tanzania
Donations of tools, sewing machines, or financial contributions are always deeply valued and appreciated. They help to change lives.