I took a trip to Tool Aid in Ringwood, just outside of the New Forest, to pick up some refurbished tools for Khalid, a director of Pikilily but also a carpenter by trade. Tools are hard to come by in Africa so any donated tools to organisations such as Tool Aid and Tools for Self Reliance are a real bonus and they are never wasted. So if you have any old planes, saws, files or clamps – drop them in because they will be refurbished by volunteers and then sent by container to Africa and you know that they will not waste a single thing. It hasn’t yet got to become a disposable society because it can’t afford to be.

EXISTENTIAL Q: Which lends me to ask is that a step developing countries could skip as they become developed? Do societies that go from little to excess naturally devalue material things en route?

My first haul, planes, F clamps, a drill, spare plane blades.
All together this bundle weighs 16 kg. with a few bits of linen I can get them into a suitcase and use one of my 23kg Air Kenya baggage allowances. I guess I’ll just have to travel light – my glittery thongs and hairdryer (plus hot brush), several different types of foundation and my Airfix Spitfire model kit for spare evenings will just have to be left off the packing list this time.

There is a serious side to this of course, just go look in your garage. Now, go do it, don’t give me any of your excuses, now is all we have. Find a rusty screwdriver an old multimeter or hammer and get in touch with Tool Aid or Tools for Self Reliance if you’re in the UK. If you’re international, just google ‘refurbished tools’ for Africa and I’m sure you’ll find something similar. It really is a whole lot better than throwing money their way.