Artificial functional hands are distributed free to the poor and needy.

Rotary District 3150 has recently organized one of the most considerable prosthetic hands-free distribution functions at Malla Reddy University in Dulapally in Hyderabad.

It was organized in association with the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation of the United States of America. Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation is a legal non-profit developed manufacturing capability that builds and distributes several hundred prototype LN-4 hands. LN 4, it must be noted,  is a brand name for prosthetic hands developed by Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation, and anyone can freely distribute it.

The camp was inaugurated by Ch. Malla Reddy,  the Chairman of Malla Reddy University, and the Minister for Labour & Employment of the state government of Telangana.

Speaking on occasion, the Minister claimed these hands could be as good as your original hands. He appreciated Rotary District 3150 for their humane service. He also thanked all the beneficiaries for giving him, his University, and Rotary District 3150 a chance to serve them. He asserted that the serving man is serving God.

Rotary District 3150 had made arrangements to import these prosthetic hands from the USA, and Malla Reddy University, which gave the venue extended logistical support and arranged breakfast, lunch, and hospitality. Gauri Ashram has reimbursed through and fro bus or train fares for the over 730 beneficiaries to the extent of Rs. 5 lakh.

Seven hundred thirty physically challenged people were fitted with these LN-4 prosthetic elbow mechanical functional hands that were worth Rs. 7 crores. Nearly 150 more walked in un-registered. Their numbers were also noted and assured to help them in the future. Each prosthetic hand was imported from the united states and would cost in the open market at Rs one lakh.

However, Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation has manufactured them in bulk for Rs. 50,000 each.

There was also an overwhelming response to a video about the camp that went viral. As a result, several thousand people from across India responded. Based on the eligibility, about 730 were shortlisted, which was 330 more than initially what the organization had planned.

LN-4 below elbow mechanical functional hands are a low-cost, light, durable, and practical solution. A single such prosthetic hand weighs just 400 grams but can hold a weight of up to 4.5 kgs. It can also be easily worn and removed by a single hand by the physically challenged person themself. It is thus beneficial. With the help of these prosthetic hands, they will be able to perform several activities of daily living such as writing, holding a pen, riding two-wheelers, holding a spoon and eating, polishing shoes, etc. A mother can hold a baby.

Rotarians Valmiki Hari Kishan, the project co-convenor & president of Rotary Club of Secunderabad; Gauri and Project Chairman, and Sridevi and others informed that the total project cost is Rs. 7 crores. With these prosthetic hands, the beneficiaries will get back their confidence in discharging their various small daily chores. “We have received an overwhelming response. Originally, we were prepared for only 400, but we had to make elaborate arrangements for double the number, looking at the response. Looking at the response and need, we may organize a similar camp shortly.”

Kumar said the USA-based Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation supports Rotary International with one single powerful promise that it would distribute them free of cost. The foundation was started by the parents of a girl called Ellen in her living memory after she died in a road accident.