Assembling prosthetic hands that will transform the lives
Willie Wright, Betty Kaufman, Patty Wolf, and Jody Brown with their completed hand. The Camas Lions Club completed The Hand Project, a life-changing service initiative that delivered hope and independence to four individuals in Ethiopia. By assembling prosthetic hands, the club members not only transformed the lives of these recipients but also impacted their families and entire communities.
The beneficiaries of this project represent a widespread need. Sadly, the demand for upper limb prostheses in developing countries is enormous. People lose their hands due to vehicle and industrial accidents, violence, medical complications, and other causes. For many, accessing a prosthetic hand let alone a functional one is nearly impossible. Through this project, prosthetic hands were distributed completely free of charge, continuing the mission to support underserved communities in Africa and the subcontinent.
This project wasn’t just about helping individuals said Nancy Eubank, project lead and Camas Lion. It about creating ripple effects that can change entire families and communities. Each hand assembled represents the power of teamwork and the bonds formed when people come together for a common purpose.
The assembly event brought together Camas Lions Club members in a unique blend of teamwork and compassion. The energy in the room was palpable as members worked in teams to assemble the prosthetic hands, knowing the profound impact these hands would have. Club members were so inspired by the experience that they are already talking about when they can do this project again and brainstorming ways to invite other organizations, including fellow Lions Clubs, to join future efforts.
Club President Stephanie O'Dell reflected on the project success and the club openness to fresh ideas: The Camas Lions Club thrives on new project ideas from our members. Nancy brought The Hand Project to us, and together, we turned her idea into action. If you have a vision for making the world a better place, we’d love to hear from you. The Lions are here to bring ideas to life.
The Camas Lions Club is committed to both local and global impact, and The Hand Project exemplifies their dedication to service, innovation, and teamwork. The club invites anyone inspired by this initiative or with ideas for service projects to connect and collaborate.