Rotary Club of Poona Downtown Helps Spread Jaipur Foot, LN4 Hands to Africa
Pune, 14th September 2025: After transforming over 15,000 lives across India through free prosthetic hand distribution, the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown has taken its flagship Gift of Mobility Project to the global stage. The initiative has now reached Africa by training Tanzanian doctors to independently conduct prosthetic hand camps.
For several years, the club has partnered with the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation and the Inali Foundation to provide LN4 prosthetic hands at no cost. These efforts have restored dignity, independence, and livelihood opportunities to thousands of beneficiaries across India.
In January 2025, two Tanzanian doctors — Dr. Halinga and Dr. Simon Urassa — were invited to India for an intensive training program held in Varanasi from July 20 to 22. The camp combined theoretical sessions, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations across five focus areas: fitment, training, physiotherapy and counselling, camp management, and pre-camp administration.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the team prepared comprehensive manuals, instructional videos, and printed guides for the Tanzanian doctors. Several Rotarians and Rotary Anns, including Shabbir, Rashida, Asis, Ipsita, Dr. Deepika Chadda, Gautam, Richard, and Hassan, contributed to the effort. Adding global expertise, Rtn. K.V. Mohan Kumar, Global Ambassador for LN4, also participated in the training program.
While LN4 hand training was the main focus, the visiting doctors were also introduced to lower-limb prosthetics through the Jaipur Foot, with support from BMVSS Varanasi. They observed and assisted in the making and fitting of prosthetic legs, expanding their capacity to serve patients back home.
The Rotary Club of Poona Downtown believes this international collaboration marks the beginning of a new chapter. With trained professionals now in Africa and proven models of service in India, the Gift of Mobility Project is positioned to scale its global impact, bringing hope and independence to thousands more in need.
