Our objective 'Connecting people, improving lives' suddenly became very literal when we were recently allowed to send a shipment to Sierra Leone. It concerned a 3D printer and scanner to provide residents of the West African country with prostheses. Many people live in Sierra Leone who are missing an arm, foot or leg as a result of a fall, accident or as a victim of the civil war. The 3D Sierra Leone Foundation has been committed to the fate of these people for 2 years by means of 3D printing custom-made prostheses.
After the first items and 3D printers were brought all the way to Sierra Leone by car, they looked for a more sustainable way to get a new 3D printer in the Masanga hospital. This is how they came into contact with Sander de Kramer, journalist and benefactor, and founder of the Sunday Foundation in Sierra Leone. Sander quickly found his way to DHL Express and so it happened that we received this special shipment at its destination via our DHL network. In the capital Freetown, Merel was already anxiously waiting for the shipment: "We already have Found 5 potential patients who would be eligible for a prosthesis, so as soon as we have the printer, we'll get to work right away!" When the shipment was released by customs, Merel, Sander, the DHL colleagues and everyone involved were very happy and we could - quite literally - start with 'Improving Lives'!
Pictures: @Merelvanderstelt
Source: www.3dsierraleone.com
Sunday Foundation - Sander de Kramer
Four Freedoms Award - laureaat Sander de Kramer