There are so many nonprofits doing good work on behalf of amputees that it seems impossible to keep track of them all. But we’re going to try anyway. Every week we’ll highlight one organization or person that’s out there trying to make life better for amputees. This week’s Worthy Cause: Ayúdame3D.
Name: Ayúdame3D
Founder: Able-bodied Spanish engineer Guillermo Martinez took up 3D printing for fun and taught himself to build robotic hands by watching YouTube videos. When he discovered his creations could transform the lives of thousands of upper-limb amputees who lack basic prosthetic care, Martinez learned to 3D print fully functional robotic arms and began donating them to people around the world. He explains: “There are everyday things [able-bodied people] do in our daily lives that we take for granted, and we don’t realize how lucky we are. For others it’s a constant struggle, and that’s why I set up Ayúdame3D.”
Who they serve: Upper-limb amputees who lack access to prosthetic technology and care.
What they do: Produce and donate 3D-printed prosthetic hands and arms. In addition, Ayúdame3D shares knowledge and technology with nonprofit organizations in the countries they serve (roughly 35 nations in all), and it has established educational programs to teach 3D printing to young people in developing communities.
Signature saying: “Ayudar es demasiado facil como no hacerlo.” (“Helping is too easy not to do it.”)
Get involved: To scale up production, Martinez has established a network of 3D printing enthusiasts all over the world. By joining the network (which is called Helpers3D), you can take on as many as production assignments as you want.
Make a donation: https://ayudame3d.org/en/donate/
Connect with Ayúdame3D: On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Other Worthy Causes
Less Leg More Heart
Looking for the Helpers (July/August 2020 issue of Amplitude)