Tools with a Mission
Tools with a Mission (TWAM) are a UK charity based in Ipswich, Suffolk, with centres across the country. They have a mission to empower people in Africa, living in extreme poverty, to create their own livelihoods. They do this by sending trade kits full of tools that are used in skills training centres, offering the trainees a way to put poverty in the past for good and begin their own sustainable careers.
TWAM send around 18 containers to rural African communities every year, full of tools that have been collected from across the UK, and refurbished in their refurbishment centres.
They also have a wide range of volunteering opportunities that enrich local UK communities and provide a safe environment for people to build friendships whilst making a difference.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of what they do. The tools that are sent to Africa are all collected from people living in the UK and they prevent these tools from ending up in UK landfills and give them a new lease of life.
CO2 emissions saved
Taking into account the number of tools that are reused and recycled (around 405 tonnes a year), preventing them from ending up in landfills, around 1,134,000kg of CO2 emissions are saved every single year.
Value of tools sent
Rough calculations value each tool kit based on the costs of collecting and refurbishing tools. Each container has around £23,000 worth of tools - usually, 18 containers are sent a year which is approximately £414,000 worth of tools saved from landfills!
How you can help
Donate Tools
If you would like to donate your tools, please read the Tools Wanted List. If you are still unsure, please call TWAM on 01473 210220 or email post@twam.uk.
They have a national network of over 200 volunteer tool collectors who will either pick tools up from you or act as a drop-off point.
Volunteer
If you would like a sense of purpose and pride why not volunteer. Many of the volunteers are retired, others have learning difficulties and some just find life hard and need a place of safety. Read about the TWAM volunteering opportunities here.