Victims learn to stand tall 2011

OK Prosthetics is an Icelandic company that assists amputees in low-income and post-war countries.  They were in Rundu, the border town between Angola and Namibia in September 2011.  The area was the center of the so called "bush war" between South Africa and Angola.  

Hundreds of thousands of landmines were left behind after the war ended and locals in the area to this day come across them when herding cattle or when fetching reeves next to the river.  

Ok Prosthetics have fitted 70 amputees so far been with new limbs in Rundu and training was given to local staff to fit a further 30.

For many of these amputees this was their first proper prosthetic leg and could walk again without crutches for the first time since losing their limbs.  Ok Prosthetics have come up with 

a way of fitting the patient and having them walking again in just over an hour after coming in.  Many come in being disabled and walk out able.

The story of Johannes Mjamba

From a tiny waiting room in Rundu State Hospital in northern Namibia, Johannes Mjamba (50) limps in on a crutch.  His shoes are torn and filled with sand. A sweat-stained cap is noticeable as he pulls himself onto the bed.

“Lift your trouser leg. Let’s see what the problem is,” a staff member says. Hospital staff members and prosthetists, who have worked with amputees for years, are stunned.  Mjamba shows them a home-made prosthetic leg that looks more like a prehistoric robotic invention than a walking aid.

He made his left leg from an old water pipe, scraps of metal, twigs and a block of wood.  He tells them he lost his leg in 2001 after he stepped on a landmine next to a river on the Angolan border while fetching reeds for the roof of his house.


He managed to get hold of an old prosthetic leg but, about two years ago, he lost it in a fire when his house burnt down. It was then that he took matters into his own hands.  Mjamba’s new leg wasn’t perfect – because of the materials he had used, every step hurt – but it was better than the alternative.


Then he heard on the radio that a group of prosthetists from OK Prosthetics would be visiting his town and that people in his situation could come for help. And so he did.   After an hour, he had been fitted with a new leg. Eager to test it, he got up and headed towards the training stairs.


The leg was such an improvement that he didn’t realise he had left his crutch on the floor.   Mjamba walked out of the hospital that same afternoon, leaving behind his crutch and his homemade leg.


Herman Verwey - City Press

Some of the new feet that will be fitted on the new legs.

 

 A few of the amputees sit in the waiting room of the Rundu State hospital.

 

 Reynold Majambo (52) walking in on crutches for help.

Johannes Mjamba (50) takes off his home made prosthetic leg next to a 

hospital bed.  He lost his leg in 2001 when he stepped on a landmine.  

They had to make his own leg after loosing his previous prosthetic leg when

 his house burnt down.  The home made leg was made  from an old water pipe,

 twigs and left over scraps of metal.

 Technicians work on a new leg for one of the amputees.

 The home made prosthetic leg of Johannes Mjamba (50).  He lost his leg 
in 2001 when he stepped on a landmine and lost his previous prosthetic leg
 when his house burnt down.  He made his own leg from an old water pipe,
 twigs and left over pieces of metal.

 Johannes Mjamba (50) with his home made leg in front of him awaiting his 
new prosthetic leg.  On his left leg is the new liner.

 Johannes Mjamba (50) takes his first steps on his new prosthetic leg after 
having to walk on a home made leg for more than 2 years.

 Alphanso Muhongo (57) looks at his new leg.  He lost his leg in 1987 

when he stepped on a landmine.

 

 In the middle is Frans Namgoba, a local Physiotherapist in the Rundu State 
Hospital teaching Johannes Mjamba how to walk again after Johannes had to 
walk on a home made leg for more than 2 years.

 Thomas Aumati (47) at his house outside Rundu, he lost his leg in 1987 
when he stepped on a landmine.

 Thomas Aumati (47) at his house outside Rundu with his daughter, he lost
 his leg in 1987 when he stepped on a landmine.