1. FORGING LINKS - SUMMER 2016
This edition of Forging Links is dedicated
to the memory of Tools for Self Reliance
founder, Glyn Roberts, who sadly died on
6th April 2016.
Glyn founded the organisation in 1978, after
spending time travelling and volunteering across
Africa and Asia. During a visit to Uganda, he
saw people struggling to train with poor quality,
worn out tools. His idea – to collect and refurbish
tools in the UK, and send them to the poorest
communities in Africa – was the beginning of Tools
for Self Reliance. Here, Eddie Grimble, Honourable
Secretary, shares his own tribute to Glyn.
I first met Glyn 38 years ago, just after he had
authored “Questioning Development,” out of
which Tools for Self Reliance grew, as one of his
ways of showing how overseas aid could be more
effectively carried out with integrity and solidarity.
Glyn stepped down from active involvement in
Tools for Self Reliance in 1996 but remained a
dedicated supporter and advocate. Glyn didn’t feel
that as Founder he should keep a hand on the tiller
and it is real testament that he was prepared to
step back and trust others to take on and direct the
work. He also inspired others in both the UK and
other countries to develop their own style of tool
sending and set up their own organisations.
Glyn had many other interests and talents - he
traversed the Atlantic several times, sometimes
single-handedly, could turn his poetic talents to song
composition, and entertained many by playing the
violin and the ukulele. His passion for wood carving
grew to include stone carving after he moved to the
Isle of Wight. There are a number of his pieces on
display on the island which retell stories bound to
be forgotten were it not for his sleuthing work and
delight in telling a story.
What so many folk will remember Glyn for though,
is that he was a man with a real heart for justice and
fairness in an unjust and unequal world. He will be
missed by many, but very fondly remembered.
IN THIS ISSUE
• Glyn Roberts 1938 - 2016
• Looking to the future
in Zambia
• Farewell – and welcome!
• Forging links with
Rotary Clubs
• Ghana shipment arrives
• Getting kitted out!
• Marathon effort
• Cutting appeal
• Get crafty
• A legacy for the future
GLYN ROBERTS 1938 – 2016
FORGING
LINKS
ISSUE
ONE

2. Since the last edition of Forging Links, we
have said goodbye to Jakob, Johannes and
Daniel who were with us for 12 months as part
of their EVS (European Voluntary Service).
We wish them all the very best in the next
chapter of their lives.
We have also welcomed Andi and Andreas, both from
Austria, and Anne Maj, from Denmark, as new volunteers
under the EVS programme. They have completed
their inductions, travelled around the UK, and built up
friendships with our volunteers, who have been keen to
share with them British culture and customs. These include
the time honoured tradition of the mid morning tea break,
an event Andi’s mother described as a “tea celebration!”
EVS provides the opportunity for young people to improve
their skills, enhance their employability and increase their
knowledge of other cultures. If you’re interested in finding
out more information, or you know someone who may be
interested in volunteering through EVS, please visit
britishcouncil.org or contact Jo Shannon: jo@tfsr.org
Clara is one of three women who have formed a tailoring business after taking part in a
12 month training programme with Tools for Self Reliance and Eliashib Women’s Centre, a
Zambian organisation which works to address women’s disempowerment and vulnerability.
As well as learning to design and make items, 40
participants took part in sessions on business and financial
management, life skills and health
awareness in year one of the project, with
another 40 now training in year two.
Sarah Ingleby, Chief Executive, and
Karen Mallik, Trustee, recently visited
the project to find out more about
the experiences of participants – the
feedback was overwhelmingly positive,
with the majority of trainees now actively running their
own businesses. As well as planning for the future, Clara
and her business partners Christine and
Maureen are able to buy more food for
their families and pay school fees.
The training has made a huge difference
to their lives, and they are looking
forward to growing their business for
years to come.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE IN ZAMBIA
FAREWELL – AND WELCOME!
In five years time,
I will be a powerful
business woman
– with my farming
and a shop for our
tailoring business.

3. GETTING KITTED OUT!
We were delighted to attend the ‘Rotary
International in Great Britain and Ireland’
conference in Bournemouth recently.
It was a great opportunity to catch up with
Rotary Clubs who have supported us in the past, and to
speak to Clubs who wanted more information about how
we work in the UK and the projects in Africa – as well as
potential partners for future activities.
Rotary Clubs provide significant support to Tools for Self
Reliance and groups both locally and nationally. If you are
part of a Tools for Self Reliance group and would like any
information about how Rotary can support you, or if you
would like help finding out where your local club is, please
contact Jo on 023 8086 9697 or jo@tfsr.org
FORGING LINKS WITH
ROTARY CLUBS
Tools for Self Reliance were delighted to
be contacted by Gary at Adams Morey
Redbridge, who has links with Southampton
Football Club, with the offer of some club
merchandise for overseas projects, including
football shirts and shorts, stationary, and
activity sets.
Chief Executive Sarah Ingleby and trustee Karen Mallik
took 160 football shirts to Zambia on their recent
evaluation visit. Trainees at three of the projects: Eliashib
Women’s Centre; COP (Chichetekelo Outreach Partners);
and KEVTC (Kabushi Entrepreneurship and Vocational
Training Centre) were very pleased to receive them and
told Sarah that fellow Zambian, Emanuel Mayuka had
played for Southampton a few years ago!
Some of the items will be shared with two other
organisations working overseas – a big thank you to Harris
Transport, who helped with storage, and to WILTS for their
offer of support with transport.
FORGING LINKS - SUMMER 2016
GHANA SHIPMENT ARRIVES
A recent shipment to Ghana has now arrived
safely – a grand total of 155 kits made up of
3655 individual tools arrived in a container.
They were quickly distributed to five organisations across
the country, including Street Girls Aid (SGA), who work in
the capital Accra and will be providing training to 15 young
women from the street communities of the city engaged in
unskilled low paid roles such as kayaye, or head portering.
Sleeping on the streets at night makes them vulnerable
to exploitation - many of these young women have small
children and SGA will provide a day care centre to ensure
that they can take part in learning while their children are
safe and cared for.
Across all the projects in Ghana, a total of 291 men and
women will be trained in trades such as tailoring, bicycle
repair, and carpentry over the next year – and provided
with tools to set themselves up in business when they
graduate. We look forward to reporting on their progress!

4. GHANA SHIPMENT ARRIVES
MARATHON EFFORT
CUTTING APPEAL
GET CRAFTY
A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
We urgently need scissors for tailoring
training projects – they will be used
for cutting fabric on a daily basis
by trainees in Africa, so need to
be of good quality, and
ideally medium sized.
Please contact us if you
can help!
We hold a monthly craft class at Netley Marsh – for just
£10 per person you could take part in sessions such as
broomstick crochet, cross stitch, and fabric minis. Pre
booking is essential, for a list of upcoming dates and to
reserve your place, please call us on 023 8086 9697
A gift in your will is one of the most valuable and lasting
ways to support a cause you care about for many
years to come. By leaving a gift, you could ensure that
Tools for Self Reliance continues to help generations of
people overcome poverty through building a sustainable
livelihood. If you would like more information, please
contact Jemma on 023 8086 9697 or jemma@tfsr.org
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew
Hanson, who completed the 2016 London
Marathon in a fantastic time of 3 hours, 28
minutes, and 46 seconds – within his target
time of 3.5 hours!
Andrew also surpassed his fundraising target of £1500,
with almost £4,000 raised at the time of writing. Andrew’s
father, John, is a volunteer with our Bridgend group, so he
knows first hand how important our work is – these funds
will be used to enable us to continue providing training and
tools, and are very much appreciated – thank you again
Andrew!
If you would like to take on a challenge of your own,
we have spaces available in the Prudential RideLondon
event – a 100 mile ride through the stunning countryside,
following a route made famous by the world’s best cyclists
at the 2012 Olympics. For more information, please contact
Nuisha Russo at nuisha@tfsr.org
DONATE
TODAY!
Whether you want to make a
one-off donation to help our cause, or
give regularly, we would love to receive
your help.
You can make a donation in a number of ways to
support our work. You can donate by post, over the
phone or online using one of our services such as
JustGiving, Charities Aid Foundation, PayPal or CAF.
There are so many reasons to donate,
you could give in memory of a loved
one, leave a lasting legacy or just for the
feeling you have done you part to help
other lives in Africa.
For more information on donating today, visit:
www.tfsr.org and click ‘Donate’
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