Southwell Tools for Self Reliance celebrates 21 years of operation at Southwell Methodist Church with over 200 tool kits sent out to Africa by Nottinghamshire volunteers
A local branch of national charity Tools for Self Reliance marks 21 years of operation, changing people’s lives in Africa.
Over the years, the Southwell Tools for Self Reliance sent out 200 complete tool kits to Africa.
The charity in Southwell has raised over £22,000 through fundraising, and local support, including Rotary and the Lions organisations, which has helped fund projects.
Since 2001, it has received many thousands of donated tools which have been renovated by the volunteers.
The tools have been refurbished, cleaned and sharpened and then sent to Africa to help transform lives.
It is estimated by the national charity Tools for Self Reliance that with volunteer labour and donated tools, that £3 of value is donated to Africa for every £1 given to the charity.
The Southwell branch has been at the Southwell Methodist church for the full 21 years.
The church provides lighting and heating for free as part of its international outreach programme.
The church paid shipping costs for the very first kit that was sent to Mozambique.
The Methodist Church has held a collection to pay for the shipping costs of the 200th kit.
A celebration in October, was attended by a representative from the national charity who shared the effect of the kits on people's lives in Africa.
The projects in Africa are partnerships with local organisations that not only provide training on use and how to maintain the tools, but other life skills.
The Southwell group has also assisted more local projects including providing gardening and woodland tools to help set up a forestry section at a school in Cotgrave and donated tools to a community garden in Newark.
They meet up on the first and third Monday of each month.
Anyone who would like to join or provide financial assistance to their work to contact the Southwell Group or through the Tools for Self Reliance national website.
