The Derde Wereld Werkplaats (Third World Workshop) is a non-profit foundation that started in 1987. It's main objectives are:

1. Firstly it wants to contribute to the sustainable development of socially and economically vulnerable people in developing countries.

2. Secondly it wants to provide development-opportunities for socially and economically vulnerable people in our own country that do not participate in the labour market due to various reasons.

3. Thirdly it wants to reduce waste by recycling goods.

4. Fourthly it wants to make our society aware of the economically disadvantaged and dependent position of people in the Third World.

We try to achieve these goals by recycling and repairing used goods; sewingmachines, knittingmachines, tools, computers/printers and bikes.

These goods enable people in developing countries to earn their own living in small income generating projects, or improve training facilities.

We also make solar cooker ovens with which one can cook solely by using sunlight.

Our volunteers (on average approximately 65 persons per week) do the repairs in our workshop. They vary considerably in age. They range from persons who are just at the beginning of their working life to those who are already retired. The elder can pass on their knowledge and experience to the younger, thereby offering them job-skills that they can use later on the labourmarket.

Our finished products are sent to Vraag and Aanbod (Supply and Demand) International. They take care of the transport to Africa and the distribution among the various projects that are sponsored. Our workshop is also providing directly refurbished goods to small income generating projects.