Building on TWAM’s experience we have seen that there is a need for skilled servicing of sewing and knitting machines and the provision of some IT training and support in Uganda. 

In 2012 Tools with a Mission is opening a Repair and Training Workshop that will become a recognised centre for this work and also employ a number of Ugandans to clean and refurbish tools that are shipped from the UK. We have secured the premises and the workshop and training equipment is on its way.    

The workshop will be located in Kampala where there are many sewing workshops and small individual businesses. Generally there will be no need for the people to travel long distances to attend the workshop.

        The main aim of the new centre is:

·         To provide employment for Ugandan men and women refurbishing tools sent from the UK. 

·         To provide a maintenance service for sewing, knitting machines and computers.

·         To provide vocational training in tailoring skills so that women and girls will be able to produce quality garments.

·         Teaching entrepreneurship skills for long term survival in business.   

In the last few years the Ugandan government has increased its support for schools but unfortunately there are still those who are unable to pay the school fees and therefore leading idle existences and increasing the cases of theft, drug abuse and prostitution. The work at the TWAM workshop will take this idle time and use it to develop a skill and change lives.

This knowledge and skill will influence positive behaviour change and poverty reduction.

 We anticipate that the workshop will become a place recognised for it’s involvement in the community and its care for young men and women and a place where they can feel free to discuss any matter concerning their welfare.

Where coffee does more than quench a thirst.

As our church prepared for another Fairtrade event – loosely called a “Fairtrade Coffee Morning”, I noted how many of our church activities involve coffee.  Coffee mornings, after church coffee, lunch clubs etc.  Worldwide some 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year.  But how concerned are we about the sources of the coffee we consume and the labour involved in growing it?

Amongst Operation Agri’s many activities around the world help is being provided in support of a project in Thailand where coffee growing is doing a lot of good.  Nohan, our partner contact in this coffee programme has for many years worked to encourage local people away from drug addiction. Long term success has come through involving the former addicts in generating an income by growing coffee.  With advice and help in cultivating coffee bushes the men are given a new source of income and a new focus in life.  Over 70% of those who have participated in the programme have come off drugs for good. 

Nohan’s hard work in this field has been recognised by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board in Thailand who last year selected him “as an outstanding person” in this field of helping addicts away from drugs and in rehabilitation activities.

We congratulate Nohan on this award and note with pleasure that coffee doesn’t just help to provide a fellowship opportunity and make us feel good but in these circumstances it also helps to give many a new start in life.

                                                            Stan Crees, Overseas Secretary, Operation Agri.