bolivia prosthetic clinic rotary project

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 - mattpepe@yahoo.com

Lead International PartnerRotary Club of Irvine, CADistrict 5320Ray Sanford - ray.sanford@gmail.com

A grant participation letter is all it takes at this time.

Thank you