Tools for Solidarity

BACKGROUND

Tools For Solidarity is a non-profit organisation in Northern Ireland that is run almost entirely by volunteers. The charity supports artisans in the Tanzanian regions of Mwanza, Ruvuma and Njombe by providing high quality refurbished hand tools, sewing machines and training through local refurbishment centres within the regions themselves. The organisation also provides tools and sewing machines for artisans with disabilities in Malawi. Tools for Solidarity collects and receives donations of hands tools and sewing machines from people in Belfast and throughout Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, Tools for Solidarity runs projects that help people to live a sustainable life. For example, its Education for Sustainable Development programme is dedicated to creating awareness about poverty, global injustice and environmental issues, targeting primary schools. Tools for Solidarity is also developing a similar programme for adult learners which was piloted in February 2021. The programme will focus on creating awareness around issues with the fashion industry, food industry, climate change and cultural diversity (including the migrant experience in Northern Ireland). It will target women’s centres, community groups and whoever is interested in learning about sustainability. 

CURRENT PROJECTS

Tools for Solidarity’s current projects include:

1. The Education for Sustainable Development programme: this focuses on creating awareness around sustainable living. There is currently a dedicated primary school programme, as well as an adults' programme. It includes going out to speak to community groups, women's centres, youth clubs, refugee and asylum seeker groups etc. on a range of topics on sustainable living, inequality, fairtrade, natural resources, climate change, etc. The organisation is currently looking for funding to translate the primary school programme into Irish so that it will be available to Irish medium primary schools.
2. Collection of hands tools including sewing machines, refurbishing the tools and sending them to partners in Tanzania. The current projects are a joint venture between Tools for Solidarity and a local Tanzanian organisation - Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO).
3. Supported placements for volunteers in N.I. with fewer opportunities and extra support needs (currently suspended due to Covid-19)
4. A training programme for refugees and asylum seekers (currently suspended due to Covid-19)