Ayúdame3D Expands to South Africa with First Local 3D Prosthesis Lab

Ayúdame3D, a Spanish nonprofit known for its innovative use of 3D printing to create prosthetic arms, is expanding to South Africa with the launch of its first local NGO and 3D prosthesis laboratory. Ayúdame3D opens a crowdfunding campaign to launch its fourth 3D lab in the world in South Africa.

The initiative was inspired by the story of Reokeditswe, a South African woman who lost both arms and connected with Ayúdame3D online in early 2024.

After receiving two custom-made prosthetic devices from the organization, her life transformed dramatically. For the first time in years, she could perform everyday activities independently — from doing laundry and ironing to eating a hamburger on her own.

Moved by the impact, Reokeditswe decided to help others facing similar challenges, teaching new recipients how to use their prostheses and sharing her experience across social media. Her inspiring story quickly resonated within her community, motivating others to believe in the potential of accessible technology.

Launching a Sustainable Local Initiative

Recognizing her leadership and the growing need for prosthetic solutions in South Africa, Ayúdame3D partnered with Reokeditswe to establish its first local NGO and 3D printing lab in the country. The goal is to provide free, personalized prostheses to people with amputations while fostering local empowerment.

The lab will be managed by young people and women from the community, who will receive specialized training in 3D printing, assembly, and maintenance. Beyond prosthetic production, they will create other 3D-printed products to support the lab’s financial sustainability over time. This model reflects Ayúdame3D’s commitment to ensuring that technology remains within the community, generating lasting social and economic benefits.

Ayúdame3D LAb in South Africa: funding and Timeline

To bring the project to life, Ayúdame3D has launched a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of €15,000. The funds will cover the training of the local team, installation of 3D printers, furniture, safety systems, and the rent and utilities for the first ten months. The NGO will co-finance the remaining costs, ensuring the lab opens its doors by December this year.

Building on Proven Success

The South African initiative follows the successful creation of similar 3DLabs in Kenya, Mexico, and Tanzania. Each has demonstrated the power of local empowerment through technology. The first lab, founded in Kenya in 2020, now operates independently, producing prosthetic arms and other 3D devices. Subsequent labs in Mexico (2022) and Tanzania (2024) have achieved remarkable results — the Tanzanian facility in Mwanza, for example, has already assisted over fifteen people in just five months.

With the upcoming launch in South Africa, Ayúdame3D continues its mission to combine technology, sustainability, and human connection — creating tangible change, one prosthesis at a time.

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(Featured image by Keyvan Max via Unsplash)

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First published in Interempresas. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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