TWAM is a Christian charity that collects donated usable tools of all types, sorts them into trade kits and then sends them a growing number of countries, including Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and DR Congo. Each year they send around 18 containers packed with refurbished tool kits to Africa and help to transform communities through running skills centres, training and the provision of tools.
This year there is a new Volunteer Collector in the Purbeck area, my husband Richard, so it is now easier to donate any surplus or duplicate tools which you may have gathered over the years.
TWAM are always in need of the following:
• Agricultural/gardening tools – Fork, spade, hoe, hand fork/trowel, lopper, secateurs, handshears
• Builders’ tools – 3’ spirit levels, spade, axe, crowbar, fork, sledge hammer, hacksaws, chisels, tape measures
• Carpenters’ tools – bevel, braces, clamps, hand drills and bits, files, hammers, saws, planes, pliers, screwdrivers, spanners, Stanley knife, nails, bolts, screws
• Electricians’ tools – allen keys, hand drills and bits, all types of pliers and hacksaws, screwdrivers, spanners, soldering iron, voltmeter
• Motor mechanics’ tools – allen keys, spanners, cold chisels, metric socket sets, punches, cantilever toolboxes, tyre pressure gauge
• Plumbers’ tools -basin or tap wrench, wire brush, breast drill and bits, grips and saws, screwdrivers, oil cans
• Garage workshop – hydraulic jack, axle stands, battery charger, ramps, engineer vice
• Power tools- hand and bench drills, sander, planer, jigsaw, circular band and chop saws, lathe, cultivator, rotavator, welding machine, generator
• Sewing machines – manual, electric, treadle and industrial machines
• Knitting machines – machine and hand wool, knitting needles, patterns
• Haberdashery – needles, cottons, large material pieces/rolls, buttons, zips, tapes
• Fully working IT equipment – desktop computers laptops running minimum of Microsoft Windows 7, tablets, networking switch routers, cables (not printers or scanners)
• Bibles – in modern English
We are able to collect your donations of any surplus equipment listed above if you email Richard to arrange a suitable time. We cannot take broken tools, or any with woodworm, but old metal tools can be sharpened and surface rust removed. Please have a look at the TWAM website for more detailed lists and discover how these items will provide a future and transform lives in struggling African communities.
Local collector – Email: richardf@twam.uk Phone: 07590 903922
Main website – twam.uk
Hopefully as you spring clean or reorganise sheds and garages to accommodate any new acquisitions, you will find plenty of items that can be well used abroad, rather than gathering dust locally. If you know somebody who is downsizing or moving into a flat, please pass on our details. Keep an eye open for TWAM lists on local noticeboards.