On May 21st a small group organized by the Green Teams visited Tools with a Mission near Ipswich. Tools with a Mission is a Christian charity which sends refurbished tools to vocational training schemes mainly in countries in Africa. When people complete these training schemes, they are given their own tool kits. So old tools which are no longer wanted here enable people to make a living in Africa. As well as tools, TWAM also send out school books – a project started by Carol Lindsay Smith, now merged with TWAM – and sewing and knitting machines and materials. They have a large warehouse where the tools are collected, cleaned, refurbished and made up into kits. It is an impressive place, run by volunteers, and to see the pallets of sewing machines, racks of tools, and piles of yarn and cloth stacked up ready to be shipped out gives an idea of the scale of their work. Last year, they sent out 21 containers of tools.

TWAM’s chairman, Bill Dewhurst, very kindly showed us a presentation on TWAM’s work and some of the projects to which they send tools. News and information about projects can be found on their website www.twam.co.uk. If you would like to help, they need tools to make up kits for electricians, builders, plumbers, motor mechanics, carpenters, sewing machines, knitting machines, and manual typewriters (and tapes!). Tools for TWAM can go to the Recycling Stable in Polstead, which has just sent them a vanload. Please call Ruth Riddleston before delivering on 01206 262631. TWAM also need volunteers to help make up the kits, especially anyone who knows how to refurbish knitting machines. If you’re not mechanically minded, they need volunteers to help sort and pack the haberdashery materials and books.