What Tools For Self Reliance does

Tools For Self Reliance is a UK-registered charity (Registered Charity No. 280437, Company No. 1487630) founded in 1980 and headquartered at Netley Marsh, Southampton, that funds and coordinates vocational training and tool provision across five African countries: Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia. Its core operations combine a UK volunteer-supported tool collection, refurbishment and packing programme (run by 350+ volunteers) with grants and partnerships to ~18 in-country delivery organisations that train beneficiaries in trades including tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, bricklaying, welding, motor mechanics, electrical/solar installation, agriculture and beekeeping. Programmes span three stages — Vocational Training, Business Development (including Village Savings and Loans Association training adapted from CARE International methodologies), and a Transition to Work phase covering CV/interview skills, business planning, mentorship, and small business grants.

The charity's commercial-style offerings include an e-commerce shop selling 'Gifts for Change' virtual donation cards (£9–£39), branded merchandise, and a proprietary PDF guide to refurbishing Singer manual sewing machines; sales also run through eBay for Charity, Vinted, a Teemill organic-cotton store, and a physical ReNew Store at headquarters open Monday–Friday. Revenue is diversified across individual donations, trust and foundation grants (e.g., a £10,000 Dalgleish Trust match commitment), retail/affiliate income via Give as you Live, weekly lottery, event fundraising (craft workshops at £15/head), and corporate sponsorship. UK-based marketing runs through a monthly e-newsletter, website content, social media (with trainees promoting via WhatsApp and Facebook), community talks, and event presence at venues such as New Forest Folk Festival and the New Forest Show.

The beneficiary model is end-to-end: vocational trainees (often women from female-headed households, school leavers, survivors of forced marriage, prison inmates in Zambia, or disabled individuals in Sierra Leone) receive skills training, business development, financial inclusion training via VSLAs, refurbished tools and sewing machines, and post-graduation transition support. The organisation reports strong outcomes — e.g., 100% completion on the 55-woman Tawoloka project in Malawi with all graduates entering income generation, and reoffending reduction from 27% to 6.4% in Zambia prison projects — which function as the core evidence base for ongoing donor acquisition.

Name

Tools For Self Reliance

Legal name

Tools for Self Reliance

Website

https://tfsr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charity / Vocational Training Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Vocational training charity
• Tool refurbishment programme
• Charity retail
• International development
• Skills training Africa

Headquarters

HQ city

Netley Marsh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals supporting vocational training, business development and transition to work projects, as well as tool refurbishment programme in the UK.
2. E-commerce sales: Online shop selling gifts for change (virtual gift cards), merchandise including t-shirts, tea towels, and refurbished tools. Also sold on eBay and Vinted platforms.
3. Affiliate/Shopping partnerships: Partnership with Give as you Live platform where commission is received when supporters shop through the platform. Also eBay for Charity partnerships.
4. Event fundraising: Craft workshops, tool sales, tea parties, and sponsored events that raise funds for training projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tools For Self Reliance is a UK charity that collects, refurbishes and ships donated hand tools and sewing machines to partner organisations in five African countries (Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia), where local partners use them to deliver vocational training in trades such as tailoring, carpentry, bricklaying, welding, motor mechanics, hairdressing and solar/electrical installation. The charity also funds and supports Business Development and Transition to Work projects, including Village Savings and Loans Association training, and operates a UK volunteer programme plus a retail shop, online store, eBay and Vinted outlets selling virtual gifts, merchandise and refurbished tools to raise funds.

Product overview

Tools For Self Reliance operates primarily as a charity focused on vocational training and tool support programmes across Africa, not as a traditional technology product company. Their offering consists of gift/donation products (virtual gifts that support training projects), merchandise (T-shirts, tea towels), educational guides, and their UK volunteer and tool refurbishment programme. The core products include 'Send a Tool Kit', 'Send A Sewing Machine', 'Help Build a Livelihood', and 'Break Barriers for Women' virtual gift cards sold through their shop, along with a Guide to refurbishing sewing machines as a PDF product. Their ReNew Store provides refurbished tools and supplies, while their VSLA training and UK Volunteer Programme support their mission of creating brighter working futures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Send a Tool Kit
• Send A Sewing Machine
• Help Build a Livelihood
• Break Barriers for Women
• Guide to refurbishing hand sewing machines
• Branded T-shirt
• Tea Towel
• ReNew Store
• Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) Training
• Craft Workshop Sessions

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% project completion rate with all trainees moving into income generation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre (NORSAAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Ghana partner in Tamale (Northern Ghana) delivering Business Development training to 30 individuals with existing businesses in tailoring, bricklaying/tiling, and building/construction. Partnership active since 2009.
• Young Achievers Foundation (YAF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Malawi partner delivering 'Dragons Den 2' business development project providing business skills training to 60 women with existing businesses. 14 winners receive business grants with ongoing mentorship.
• Kabushi Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training Centre (KEVTC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Delivers 'Strengthening Business in Ndola' project supporting 20 tradespeople from 10 existing businesses in Bricklaying, Carpentry, Welding and Tailoring with enhanced business knowledge and tools.
• TRAX GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Delivers the SPRING (Sustainable Project in Northern Ghana) project supporting 50 female producers of shea butter products and orange-fleshed sweet potato farmers in Pelungu, Nabdam District. Organises market linkages events with Ghana FDA and Ghana Enterprise Agency.
• Foundation For Education And Social Development (FESODEV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Malawi-based partner delivering vocational training projects for women in Lilongwe. FESODEV runs the 'Muomboli' project providing technical and business skills training in Tailoring, Hairdressing, and Solar/Electrical Installation. Also delivers the 'Kuomboka' Business Development project upskilling 80 artisans from 40 businesses. Project Manager Annie Mpanganeni received training from CARE International.
• Kabushi Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training Centre (KEVTC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Well-established training centre in the Copperbelt region of Zambia. Delivers 'Transformational Training' project empowering 30 young women from female-headed households in Ndola with Tailoring and Hairdressing/Cosmetology training. Also delivers Business Development courses to established tradespeople.
• Youth and Community Development Organisation (YouthCode)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Malawi partner delivering 'Skills for Jobs' project for 55 young people in Nkhotakota. Training in Tailoring, Solar and Electrical Installation, Fabrication and Welding, or Food Production. Also delivers Transition to Work phase for 51 graduates.
• Mobility Sierra Leone (MSL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sierra Leone partner in Bo City providing vocational and business skills training to 20 individuals who are disabled or caring for disabled family members. Training in hairdressing or tailoring with wheelchair/mobility cart repair skills.
• Prisoners' Future Foundation (PFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Zambia NGO run by individuals with lived experience of the prison system. Delivers STEP-IN project providing technical training, business development, and rehabilitation to 50 inmates in Mumbwa prison with a halfway house upon release. Reduced reoffending from 27% to 6.4% in previous projects.
• CARE InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Provided Village Savings and Loans Association training to FESODEV Project Manager Annie Mpanganeni, who now trains other partners on VSLA methodologies.
• Give as you LivesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Shopping platform enabling supporters to raise donations when shopping online with 5,500+ partner retailers. Tools for Self Reliance receives 50% of commission earned.
• Eliashib Restoration OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Zambia-based partner delivering Transition to Work projects for graduates of vocational training. 33 trainees received business planning workshops, interview skills training, and business start-up grants. Project Manager Evelyn Schilima leads programme delivery.
• Foundation For Community And Capacity Development (FOCCAD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Malawi-based partner in Nkhotakota district using apprenticeship approach to deliver training to marginalized individuals in Carpentry, Bricklaying, Welding & Metal Fabrication, Electrical Installation & Repair, and Tailoring. 76 individuals completed 12 months of technical training.
• Lilongwe Youth Organisation (LYO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Delivered Sustainable Agriculture and Beekeeping project for 20 women covering land preparation, crop diversification, bee keeping and honey production. All 20 women graduated with TEVETA certificates.
• Lilongwe Youth Organisation (LYO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Malawi partner based in Kauma village delivering women's economic empowerment projects including the 'Dragons Den' business development initiative. Also delivers Sustainable Agriculture and Beekeeping training. Active since 2013.
• Foundation For Education And Social Development (FESODEV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Delivered the 'Tawoloka' (Let's Go) vocational training project for 55 women in Lilongwe, Malawi, providing training in catering, tailoring or hairdressing with business skills support and Village Savings and Loans Association training. 100% project completion rate with all graduates moving into income generation.
• TA CrusadecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Uganda partner in Nakifuma County delivering vocational skills and literacy training to vulnerable youth and women affected by COVID-19. 124 trainees trained in Building, Plumbing, Welding, Motor Mechanics, Tailoring, Hairdressing, and Catering with Transition to Work support.
• Street Girls Aid (SGA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Ghana partner based in Accra working with young women and girls living within the city limits. Delivers vocational training in tailoring and soap making, providing accommodation, meals and childcare. Multiple cohorts trained since 2021.
• Eliashib Restoration OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Delivered vocational training in tailoring and other trades to graduates including Karen Tembo whose life was transformed through training. Ongoing partnership for both VT and T2W projects.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• Restless Development: UK-rooted youth employment and skills charity working in Africa and Asia. Comparable in targeting economically marginalised young people with vocational training, business skills, and transition-to-work support, with similar donor and volunteer engagement models.
• SolarAid: UK charity tackling energy poverty in Africa via enterprise-supported distribution of solar products. Comparable in combining UK fundraising/retail, African field delivery through local partners, and a vocational/enterprise angle that overlaps with TFSR's electrical-installation training.
• Send a Cow: UK charity delivering livelihood-skills training and smallholder enterprise support across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable on UK fundraising → African field-delivery structure, women-focused empowerment outcomes, and VSLA-style financial inclusion methodologies.
• Practical Action: UK-headquartered charity using practical technology and skills training to tackle poverty in Africa and Asia. Highly comparable operating model: UK fundraising base, African delivery partners, vocational-skills focus, and tool/equipment provision to micro-entrepreneurs.
• Book Aid International: UK charity collecting physical donations in the UK and channelling them via partner organisations to African institutions. Comparable operating template—UK volunteer collection network, refurbishment/repacking, partner-led in-country distribution, and donor storytelling around impact.
• Traidcraft Exchange: UK charity tackling poverty through ethical trade, skills training, and small-enterprise support in Africa and South Asia. Comparable model combining UK retail/trading income, donor fundraising, and partner-led vocational training programmes.
• Raleigh International: UK development charity running youth volunteer programmes and livelihood projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable in combining a UK volunteer base with skills-training delivery and fundraising through experiential/peer-to-peer campaigns.

Broad incumbents

• Tearfund: Large UK Christian relief and development charity funding livelihood and skills projects in Africa. Comparable on UK donor mobilisation and partner-led vocational training, but with substantially broader disaster-response scope and budget.
• ActionAid UK: Major UK-anchored international development charity with rights-based women's empowerment and livelihood programmes across Africa. Competes for the same restricted-grant and individual-giving pool, but operates with a far larger field and HQ staff base.
• VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas): Larger UK-headquartered international development organisation focused on education, livelihoods, and health. Overlaps with TFSR on skills training and volunteer-led delivery but operates at significantly greater scale and across broader thematic areas.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tools-for-self-reliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tools For Self Reliance