The work of a team of international volunteers who have been restoring old tools for use in developing countries will go on display tomorrow in Ballacolla, Co Laois.
Volunteers from Finland, India, Russia, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, France, Germany and even far-flung Dublin have been working since July 28th at a Tools For Solidarity camp hosted by Ballacolla man Marty Phelan at his family-run hostel near Abbeyleix.
Tools for Solidarity is a charitable organisation "committed to the ideas of self-reliance and community development".
It collects old tools, such as saws, files, chisels, clamps, pliers, sewing machines and hacksaws, restores them, then groups them into kits before sending them to artisans, trade groups, refugees and women's groups in Tanzania and other African countries.
The Dublin-based group is part of a wider movement of organisations, such as the British-based Tools For Self-Reliance group founded by returned overseas volunteer Glyn Roberts in 1979.
TFS Dublin has run a tools project with the YMCA in Aungier Street, Dublin, and also operates a programme for young adults with learning difficulties. It continues to collect tools throughout the year and runs the international work and study camp in conjunction with a TFS group in Belfast every summer.
They attend seminars on development education, which are also open to the public, during the course of the work camp.
Volunteers are found through the Voluntary Service International (VSI) organisation, which approached Marty Phelan earlier this year to ask for help with the camp.
He was only too glad to lend a hand, since he had accommodation and workshop space to offer. Up to 20 volunteers came forward and they have worked near miracles with the old tools. He says there was a huge response to the appeal for tools from the local, and wider, community once people realised the potential of dusty old DIY kits languishing in sheds and attics.
The work of the volunteers will be displayed tomorrow at Farren hostel, Ballacolla, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Telephone 0502-34032 for information.