We volunteered for one month at the Matthew Pepe Centro de Miembros Artificiales, a non for profit organisation associated with the Rotary Club which provides artificial prosthetic legs for people who do not have the means to obtain one.
Our tasks were multiple, Vanessa spending her time helping on the patient side due to her training as a healthcare professional and I in administrative functions. The bulk of our work ended up being coordinating a visit from another organisation named LIMBS based in Texas, USA who are responsible for inventing the prosthetic knee used at the Bolivian clinic.
During LIMBS's two week visit it was busy time and we learned a great deal about prosthetics and the challenges faced when implementing such devises in developing countries. Also, our stay at the clinic ended up being a great experience in cultural exchange and in observing the difference in methods of working here in Bolivia.
The hospitality received from the local members of the CMA was far beyond our expectations. The managing members of the clinic, who are also volunteers, show a great deal of devotion to the cause and this has resulted in great success rapid growth in the number of patients served. Matt, the founder of the clinic, from the United States, is the driving force and inspiration behind the effort.
After seeing patients first walking in with homemade artisanal limbs and then seeing their reaction when they walk out with a new, modern prosthetic it's easy to see the benefits the organisation brings. It's the first of its kind in South America and hopefully will inspire more to develop in the future. We strongly recommend those who wish to volunteer to give this organisation a close look, and to get in touch with them to see how you can help.
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