However, tools are needed in their millions, so TFSR also supports the makers of tools - Africa's blacksmiths. With a few thousand tools sent from Britain they have already made over a million items, now in daily use in their communities. The blacksmiths provide tools to artisans including farmers, many of whom are women, and offer an accessible, cheap source of repair work. Survival is getting harder The poorest countries get poorer as they struggle to pay interest on massive debts. They see export prices fall, while imported goods undermine local production.
Governments favour arms deals and advanced technology at the expense of meeting basic needs.
In spite of all these problems, ordinary people seek to improve their lives. TFSR and its partners work in solidarity with them. Tools mean work and the chance to shape the future - just as important to a young person in Ghana or Mozambique as in Britain. We are one of TFSR's local groups, based at Imperial College's Student Union as one of the projects supported by the Imperial College Union's Community Action Group. We meet every Tuesday evening at our workshop in the union.