Founded in 1987, Betuwe Worldwide supports disadvantaged people in the Betuwe area to learn practical skills by refurbishing tools and machines (think bicycles, computers, industrial tools, sewing machines, knitting machines). They then send these refurbished tools to countries outside the Netherlands where they can be used to support local businesses and to teach vocational skills to young people.
The HE Space Children’s Foundation has agreed to provide funding to Betuwe Worldwide who is working with an organization in Tanzania, LCC&GE (Lifeline Counseling Centre & Gender Empowerment). Set up in 2015, this organization supports young people and vulnerable girls in particular to develop skills that will enable them to work to support themselves and their families. The Foundation’s funds means that Betuwe Worldwide can send 10 refurbished computers, 21 refurbished sewing machines and 5 sets of other refurbished tools useful for car and bicycle repairs and carpentry to the Tanzanian projects.
This project is a nice illustration of the types of partnerships the Foundation likes to work with. It has a local impact as well as an impact further afield and assists the development of skills. We will keep you posted on how the tools are being used to further education in Tanzania.
Update - The goods have arrived!
It’s always an exciting moment when you hear from one of the projects that the Foundation has sponsored that the container has arrived safely on the other side of the world. In June 2025, Betuwe Worldwide shipped a container to Tanzania. In addition to materials such as sewing machines, computers, and tools for the LCC&GE project, the container also included tools for five other projects in the region.
The container arrived at the port of Dar es Salaam on August 18. The goods were cleared through customs and picked up by the Lifeline Counselling Centre & Gender Empowerment, then delivered to their final destination.
The reception was warm, and the goods were welcomed with open arms. We would like to share a few reactions from recipients:
“Let me confess from my end that the tools you have supported us with are of good and high quality to transform the lives of our youth under our program.”
All items arrived in good condition and are now in active use. Thanks to these materials, many more students are receiving hands-on training. Instruction is provided in various fields, and students are learning with quality equipment. This significantly improves their chances of finding work and building a better future.
“We are so appreciative for the tools that had already arrived and the first work had been including the setting of the computer at the computer room.”
Response from Lifeline Counselling Centre & Gender Empowerment and Betuwe Wereldwijd:
“None of this would have been possible without your support. Thank you so much for your involvement and contribution!”
