Tools change lives - and countries too! Haiti is still being rebuilt after the devastating earthquake destroyed 90% of the schools in the country. Rebuilding takes skilled labor and tools. The tools provided by this project are still at work today. Through our project partnership with the Salesian Missions of Don Bosco, the tools we send to Haiti do directly into the hands of vocational school graduates.Young people with the skills to rebuild the country.
Because of your support for this project, graduates have the tools to hit the ground running; putting their newly acquired vocational skills to work to build a better life for themselves, their families, their community and to rebuild the country. As Emmanuel, a building graduate from the Don Bosco Technical School in Fort Libety explained proudly, "Because of my tools I was able to find work. It is impossible to find work without tools. In fact, I actually worked to rebuild the school my two children attend today."
Tool 'loan sharks' often prey on graduates searching for employment; charging exorbitant monthly fees to use tools that the graduates will never own. Giving to this project does so much more than provide tools. It gives people self-reliance, dignity and hope for the future.
Tools For Empowerment; Changing Lives One Tool at a Time
Roseline was so eager to put her new skills to work when she graduated from her two-year Clothing Assembly course at the Don Bosco Technique De Fort Librete. Desperately in need of money, her four children hadn't had new clothes since her husband died five years ago.
Roseline already had a list of clothing orders when she graduated. She knew she'd have to rent a sewing machine from one of the suppliers and take a loan for materials to get started. It wasn't ideal. Machine rental and interest would take more than half of her earnings each month. Roseline had a plan - in three years she was determined to own her own sewing machine - if she worked really hard.
Just before graduation, a 20' container filled with trade tools and sewing machines arrived at the Don Bosco training center. She couldn't believe it - what's this Tools For Empowement?
When she graduated Roseline cried tears of joy. She not only recieved a refurbished sewing machine, but also beautiful fabics, scissors, threads and other sewing accessories. Her business grew and grew. Today Roseline can meet the daily needs of her four children - and they are wearing new clothes!
Tools For Empowement; Changing Lives One Tool at a Time
It's Autumn! Time for Trick-or-Treat for Tools - the annual tool drive for Tools For Empowerment. This is when we raise harvest tools to help entrepreneurs become self-reliant, and raise awareness of how tools transform lives.
This year we are especialy grateful to two groups of voluteers that have helped up prepare for this annual event: The Little Flowers Girls Club and Girls Scout Ambassador Troop 11205. Big shout out to The Home Depot Stores in Newnan and Peachtree City GA for donating buckets and lids for Trick-or-Treat for Tools again this year.
Your donation to this project will help us refurbish and package these tools for our friends in Haiti. Thank you for your support.
It takes a village to alleviate poverty. Filling a 20 foot shipping with refurbished tool donations takes contriubutions of time, talent and treasure. Each month groups from organizations, schools and churches help out. Pictured here, volunteers from the Church Without Walls in Carrolton GA come together to help prepare tool donations for vocational school graduates in Haiti. Tool donations come in all shapes, sizes and conditions. Volunteers have a great time restoring them at the Tools For Empowerment recycling center in Newnan GA. These tools will help future auto mechanics, carpenters, electricians, farmers, masons, plumbers and seamstresses earn a living in Haiti.
Changing Lives, One Tool At a Time. When vocational school graduates search for work in Haiti, they are required to have their own tools. Tool 'loan sharks' often charge exorbitant rental fees, burdening youth with debt from day one. This is why the refurbished tools we provide at Tools For Empowerment truly change lives.
Celebration time! After over three years, we've moved to a new, larger tool donation and recycling warehouse in Newnan GA. On April 26the we're going to celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. All are welcome. Come and see where you can donate tools and volunteer to help young families in Haiti become self-reliant!
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