In the heart of Zambia, the Nyangombe CTC exists to provide a safe refuge for individuals keen to start a new career or find a way out of poverty. Our partners in that country recently shared their story with us - bearing testament to the transforming power of tools!

Joseph (carpentry trainee) shows off his new skills!

Tools with a Mission have had a special relationship with Nyangombe Christian Training Centre (NCTC)  for over 30 years. The records held at Nyangombe recall names of TWAM men long retired but who, together with TWAM staff today, serve the youth of Africa by sending tools 6,000 miles across the world destined for a generation who would otherwise have no hope of ever purchasing tools themselves.

What happens at NCTC?

One of the roles of NCTC is to train young people in skills for life. This might be in carpentry, design, tailoring, business and entrepreneurship, electrical repair, and even Christian ministry. On completion of training, individuals use the skills acquired to earn a living in their own villages to support their respective families.

Some who excel in their trade are frequently employed, and many have secured good jobs in the mines and cities of Zambia.

Others take their new skill and want to give something back into their community. They set up little village training workshops (as above), where they make beds, tables, and chairs. They also, where possible, train other interested youth to learn the same skills which they learned at NCTC.

TWAM Singer sewing machines being used to train single mothers

From TWAM to trade

Whatever type of training offered at NCTC, it would be less effective if TWAM were not there gathering and refurbishing quality hand tools in the UK and making them available to trainee builders, carpenters, mechanics, and tailoring, writes our contact at NCTC.

It is always a thrill to see the merging of Skills Training with the supply of good tools from TWAM, particularly when some trainees are lucky enough to be given their own trade kit refurbished by TWAM upon finishing their training.

MCTC, in partnership with TWAM, provide opportunities for young people make a living for their families, and to prosper beyond what would normally be possible in rural ultra-poor Africa.

Trainees at Nyangombe CTC receiving TWAM tools on completion of their course.