Andy's Toolbox
A Memorial Project to provide quality tools for the teaching of carpentry skills to young trainees in Kadoma and Rimuka Township, Zimbabwe
Andrew Simm 1977-2003
Andrew Simm visited Kadoma in 1998 and found he had an instinctive bond with the young folk of Kadoma and Rimuka
Township. He lived amongst them for a short while and they accepted him as their friend. Andrew celebrated his
21st birthday in Kadoma and it was the happiest day of his young life.
Sadly, Andrew died in 2003 aged 26 and his family wished that his kind, loving nature be remembered in a
‘practical’ way. Thus the idea of ‘Andy’s Tool Box’ was born.
Contributors to the ‘Memorial’ Fund
Andrew’s family, relatives, friends and workmates contributed generously to the Memorial Project.
Donations arrived from all over the U.K. and in particular from Stevenage and East Devon where Andrew worked
as a trainee carpenter.
Two years later, in 2005, the ‘Tool Box’ was dispatched to Kadoma where the tools are to be used in the
teaching of carpentry skills to young trainees at the Vocational Training Centre. Exactly as Andrew would
have wished.
A ‘Memorial Message’
As a talented carver, both in wood and stone, Andrew treasured and took great care of his tools. It is hoped
that all who have the opportunity to learn using the tolls from ‘Andy’s Tool Box’ will, in turn, adopt the
maxim ‘A craftsman respects and cares for his tools as they are his very livelihood’.
Every toolbox is issued with the words above.
The photos below show the tools arriving at the Vocational Training Centre. They also show what the centre
itself looks like.
These are the tools that were included in ‘Andy’s Toolbox’being received at the Vocational Training Centre
This is where the tools are locked up to be kept safe when not in use.
This is the sign that explains to passers by what the Vocational Training Centre courses are on offer.
This is the Vocational Training Centre from the outside.
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