bolivia prosthetic clinic rotary project
DESCRIPTION
The Rotary Club of La Paz Bolivia has created the first prosthetic clinic in rural Bolivia, with help from LIMBS International and the Rotary Club of Irvine CA. The Irvine and Winnetka-Northfield IL Rotary Clubs are seeking other Rotary Clubs to join us in funding a Rotary Matching Grant to provide $42,000 in seed money to provide 102 artificial legs with working knees. This will allow the clinic the opportunity to recruit and train a staff and of skilled workers, leading to self sufficiency for the clinic after 2 years.TRANSCRIPT
Bolivia Prosthetic ClinicInternational Matching Grant
Bolivia Prosthetic Clinic
La Paz – San Pedro, Bolivia@mattslegs www.mpbiz.com/MattsLegs
•Started by: Matt Pepe, originally from San Diego, now a Rotarian in Bolivia
•Objective: Provide 105 artificial legs to amputees in Bolivia.
•Participation: As many as 12 clubs spread over 10 Rotary Districts, including Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield (District 6440)
•Participation amount: ~$1,000 - $3,000
•Total Grant: ~$42,000
•For: 105 artificial legs
History$2,000 seed money from Irvine Rotary and
private donations enabled the workshop to be built and the training of three craftsmen.
•Built: The clinic workshop and rehab areas
•Purchased: Tools and equipment
•Trained: Three technicians
•Produced: The first polycentric knees ever made in Bolivia
•Helped: People to walk
Storeroom - future workshop
Starting the cleanup
Getting materials - 90 mile bus ride to an open-air market high in the Andes.
Laying out the treatment areas
Treatment areas
The first tool
Tools
Power tools and work benches
Workshop composite photo
Parking area before enclosing and conversion
Parking area after conversion. New roof, oven to form plastic legs.
Creating the first knees. Training.
The first polycentric knee produced in Bolivia
The new trained craftsmen with their first knees.
Matt Pepe with the first six knees
Measurements for artificial leg & knee
First complete prosthetic leg with the polycentric knee
How to ParticipatePrimary Contacts
Host Partner Rotary Club La Paz – San Pedro, BoliviaDistrict 4690Matt Pepe - [email protected]
Lead International PartnerRotary Club of Irvine, CADistrict 5320Ray Sanford - [email protected]
A grant participation letter is all it takes at this time.
Thank you