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.
