‘WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO CHECK AND REFURBISH THE TOOLS’

Daniel Kashilingi, Technical Manager EQUIP Refurbishing workshop, Mpigi Uganda

“We used to have a small workshop here with a handful of tools and now look at this!” says twenty-eight-year-old Daniel Kashilingi. He points to the shelves in front of him on which there are blue crates full of tools in all shapes and sizes. “We now have everything we need to repair and refurbish the tools that Gered Gereedschap sent us right here.”

Daniel is technical manager in the refurbishing workshop in Mpigi: “I used to have my own small company in Kampala. We made all kinds of wooden handicraft products. But I had to stop because we didn’t have enough adequate tools. I didn’t earn enough to take care of my family. When Martin Mpanga from Children’s Sure House told me about this workshop and asked me if I wanted to work here, I didn’t have to think long. Since I already had a lot of experience with the various types of tools used here, I became a technical manager after just a few months. I show my colleagues how to handle the tools and equipment and I also help to refurbish the received tools myself”.

Daniel puts a small board on a workbench. With black paint he writes “Tools for rent” on it in  large letters. “The refurbished equipment and the repaired tools are rented to craftsmen here and in Kampala. We also make all kinds of handicraft products here ourselves, such as tables and chairs. And we also make wall decorations and key rings. By selling these products and renting out the refurbished tools, this workshop finances itself and enables my colleagues and me to support ourselves and our families. I’m glad I was given the opportunity to start working here three months ago.”