As you may know, we send shipping containers filled with tools and equipment to vocational training centres and schools in Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.
This work is at the heart of our mission, empowering young people to gain practical skills and the opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods.
Over the past couple of years, we have faced unprecedented challenges that have significantly increased the cost and complexity of shipping our containers.
Firstly, attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea have severely disrupted shipping routes through the Suez Canal. As a result, many companies continue to divert their ships around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, adding weeks to the journeys and substantially increasing costs. Unfortunately, this situation remains unsettled and has been exacerbated by the Middle Eastern conflict.
Secondly, the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, through which our containers usually pass, is currently overwhelmed with freight. Because of this congestion, our most recent container has had to be redirected through the port of Beira in Mozambique, adding further delays and costs. It is possible that this situation may continue for some time.
While shipping expenses fluctuate, it currently costs us more than £10,000 to send a single container of tools and equipment.
Over the next year we hope to send up to six containers with an eye watering total cost of around £60,000.
Income from the Workaid Shop helps to cover part of these costs, but we rely on donations and grants to make up the difference. This year in particular, it will be a significant challenge for us to fund all the containers we hope to send.
These tools allow students to learn practical trades such as carpentry, mechanics, tailoring and metalwork, skills that can transforms their lives.
The wider geopolitical situation also remains uncertain. Although our routes do not pass directly through Strait of Hormuz, any escalation or prolonged conflict in the region could inevitably mean further increases in fuel and shipping costs, placing additional pressure on small charities like ourselves.
At this challenging time, any support through a donation would be deeply appreciated and will directly help us continue delivering our life-changing work to those who need it the most.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to this appeal—we are incredibly grateful for your support, especially during these unsettling times. Your contributions enable us to continue sending containers of tools and funding vocational training through our work in Africa.
