Ohio Teens Bring New Possibilities to Children in Ecuador With 3D-Printed Prosthetics
Six Cleveland-area high school students turned part of their summer break into an opportunity to share their talents and brighten the lives of children in Ecuador.
During a June 22–July 2 service trip, the Ohio teens visited Hospital General Ibarra, where they delivered free, custom-made prosthetic hands and arms to young patients. They also personally fitted each child with a device designed to meet their individual needs.
The students created the prosthetics through the Great Lakes Science Center Robotics Initiative. Drawing on skills they had developed while building robots for competitions, they produced body-powered devices for less than $150 each. Traditional prosthetics can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, making affordable alternatives especially meaningful for families in underserved communities.
For 16-year-old Sajayah Stephens, the journey offered a joyful reminder of how much kindness can accomplish.
“Everyone we met was incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely grateful for our work,” Stephens told Nice News. “It also made me appreciate the small things I often take for granted, from access to health care to everyday opportunities. Seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of the children and their families reminded me how meaningful even a small act of service can be.”
The trip was part of Hands Across Borders, a humanitarian effort launched in 2022. Since its beginning, the project has provided 3D-printed hands and arms to more than 80 children across four countries.
This year’s mission went beyond delivering prosthetics. The Ohio students also shared their knowledge with Ecuadorian high school students and medical professionals, teaching them how to fit the devices and manufacture new ones locally. A Cleveland reporter traveled with the group to document both the fittings and the training sessions.
“Four [Ecuadorian] high school students spent two full days with our students, learning every step of the process,” said Dominic Winans, robotics program coordinator at Great Lakes Science Center. “We left them a 3D printer and plenty of supplies to continue on the work now that we are back home.”
That spirit of learning and generosity reflects the broader purpose of the robotics initiative, a partnership between the Great Lakes Science Center and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The program was created to encourage and empower young people from historically underserved communities who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. More than 80% of the district’s students are Black or Hispanic.
Stephens, a rising junior and the official spokesperson for this year’s Hands Across Borders team, said the children’s enthusiasm became one of her most treasured memories from the experience.
“Watching them smile, explore what they could do with it, and share that moment with their family was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Experiences like that reminded me that we weren’t just providing prosthetics. We were helping give children greater confidence, independence, and hope for the future.”
