Stories of livelihood creation | Tools with a Mission

Stories of

Livelihood Creation

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A photo of the medal and certificate we received at the Commonwealth CSR Awards 2026.

A Shared Achievement: Celebrating a Commonwealth Environmental Award

TWAM has been awarded a Silver Commonwealth Environment & Corporate Social Responsibility Award in the category of Best Environmental Improvement, recognising our ongoing commitment to giving unwanted tools a second life and creating sustainable livelihoods around the world.

A photo of Jeff smiling at the camera, at Zambia's Disabled Care skills training centre.

Jeff Musonko: From No Hope to New Purpose

Last year, TWAM sent 2,232 electric sewing machines to Africa, providing much-needed equipment for trainee tailors and those seeking to learn a new skill. Today, we introduce you to one of them!

A photo of Choma at Zambia's Kitwe Faith Orphanage, with a tape measure and her tailoring uniform.

"I can now stand on my feet": Choma's Story of Faith and Recovery

When TWAM visited their tool recipients at the Faith Orphanage in Kitwe, Zambia, we met a young woman whose determination and compassion left a lasting impression on us. This is the story of Choma.

A photo of Charity at Zambia's Fly Deaf community initiative, with a trusty Singer sewing machine.

"If you put the work in, you will see the reward."

Charity is from the Fly Deaf Inclusive training programme in Lusaka, Zambia. There, deaf people across the local area are supported through skills learning, gaining confidence and a path to independence. This is her testimony!

A photo of Vanessa, newly trained and graduated in tailoring.

From Shy Student to Aspiring Designer: Vanessa's Story

Vanessa is one of many young women who has discovered a new livelihood on TWAM tools, thanks to training at Mindset Education - our Ugandan partners. This is her story!

Building relationships at TWAM Penarth

We hope you will enjoy this snapshot into our UK mission, from one of our hardworking collectors. Andrew, who is based in Penarth just south of Cardiff in Wales, has written us the following short article, expressing hope for TWAM's continued growth in Wales...

Marking the 1,000th TWAM carpentry kit from Rugby

TWAM has this week reached a significant milestone: the preparation of the 1,000th carpentry toolkit from the Rugby warehouse since operations began at this site in 2022. We hear from volunteers Peter, Malcolm, and Ian - who have worked consistently to assemble these kits. The Rugby carpentry kit packing team. From L-R: Peter (former Uganda country coordinator), Malcolm, and Ian (former Manager of TWAM's former Coventry warehouse) Carpenter's kits are one of TWAM's most reque

Gifts for the Journey – a Christmas Reflection

Written by Hugh Priestner, TWAM Volunteer 'Do you remember the little books by Roger Hargeaves? His most famous collection was The Mister Men. But I remember one called Roundies and Squaries. And the best page of all proclaimed: Roundies count their blessings; Squaries count their money! There is no time quite like Christmas for reminding us to count our blessings. So how might we go about that? Our time is a great gift and so are the resources we have been given. We will be

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