We work with Tools for Self-Reliance-Cymru (TFSR-Cymru) in Tanzania. They have similar values and priorities to Workaid, making a partnership between our organisations a brilliant way to increase our reach and impact.

Together, we support the Kalwande Church Service and Training Centre near to Mwanza in the Lake Zone. Kalwande is a vocational training institute that provides a variety of formal courses in tailoring and design, carpentry, building practice in construction, electrical installation, motor mechanics and metal fabrication and welding.

We send 3 or 4 containers of refurbished and ready-to-service tools each year. These tools are refurbished by a small team of Tanzanian technicians. These are then sold at a subsidised rate to local groups of Artisans. By purchasing them, they are more likely to look after their investment. The income from the sales is used to pay for the workshop’s overheads and for the salaries of the local team.

The Kalwande programme is spread across five regions of the lake zone; Mwanza, Geita, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Mara.

This is an area covering around 50,000 square miles, roughly the same size as England.

The programme aims to reach the more remote rural areas where the need is greater.

Both Workaid and TFSR Cymru fund several two-week intensive residential courses per year. These courses cover all the subjects taught by the Kalwande instructors. Participants are identified by two local project officers (employed by Workaid and TFSR-Cymru) throughout the region. The selected groups are given priority to buy tools from Kalwande. The project officers regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of the training and the tools they purchase. Kalwande aims to provide intensive training courses to at least 120 artisan groups and vocational training organisations each year and to supply or sell tools and equipment to them.