Rotary Tools Collection

Sat, Jul 16th 2022 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The popular tools collection by Rotary Phoenix Thame and District on behalf of Tools for Self Reliance – TFSR which took place in Thame on Saturday 16 July was a great success.


The popular tools collection by Rotary Phoenix Thame and District on behalf of Tools for Self Reliance – TFSR which took place in Thame on Saturday 16 July was a great success.

The response from the public was fantastic, as lots of sewing machines and hand tools from people’s garages and cupboards found their way into the collection van. Rotary volunteers have helped receiving the tools and placing them in the vehicle.

Marike Pretorius Downes, one of Rotary Phoenix newest members, has driven the van with the collected tools all the way from Thame to Tools for Self Reliance, the charity headquarters, near Southampton. Marike, who had to travel on her own due to unforeseen circumstances, received a lot of praise from Lauren Smits, fundraising manager at TFSR, who appreciated the tools donated which followed stricter selection criteria this year. Lauren thanked Rotary Phoenix for the efforts and said: “What a wonderful lady Marike is! The type of sewing machines and tools delivered were the right ones.“ More information about TFSR’s work can be found on www.tfsr.org.uk

One of the people who benfitted from TFSR was Windiderson Kusowa. Nearly 10 years ago, he trained as a tailor as part of a TFSR project in Malawi. Since then, he has become a well-known tailor in the Nchalo community, and has passed his skills to fifteen young tailors. 

During the time of the pandemic, Rotary Club of Thame & District and members have continued supporting the local community, have been meeting safely online and have been welcoming 10 new members since March 2020. The clubs’ doors are largely open to welcome new volunteer members, women and men, who want to give something back to the community. 

To find out more about the Rotary Club of Thame & District or how to join, please visit www.thame.rotary1090.org or www.facebook.com/thamerotary or www.instagram.com/thame.rotary

Marius CiortanContact Marius Ciortan about this page:

(ALL fields required)

(If you are a Rotarian, please name your club.)

back to page above this...

International/Foundation

back Rotary Club of Thame has sponsored & supported International projects for nearly 50 years.