Hands of Gratitude, a brand-new service-learning course, will debut this spring and provide all interested Kent State students the opportunity to use creativity and compassionate design to change the world.
The course, created in collaboration with social entrepreneur Matt Campana and his organization Hands of Gratitude, offers students a unique, practical way to learn about social entrepreneurship, human-centered design and community engagement while giving 3D-printed prosthetic hands to people who have lost limbs.
With a strong connection to each recipient and story, students will work to design, manufacture and hand-deliver prosthetic hands to recipients in the Dominican Republic as part of the course. One of the course’s instructors, J.R. Campbell, said the goal is to change lives and create connections rather than merely provide academic knowledge.
“We are allowing students to apply their education to create a real impact, encouraging empathy and service in a practical manner,” Campbell said.
Aside from acquiring the technical skills required for 3D printing and personalizing each prosthetic, students will collaborate closely with Campana and the course instructors to prepare for the spring break trip. They will also receive insights into the Hands of Gratitude social business concept, and with this method, students are fully engaged in the process from design to hand delivery.
The program has brought prosthetics to people in need around the world, but Campana pointed to one recipient’s story in particular.
“Lemnyaki, an 18-year-old Maasai from Tanzania, encountered life-altering adversity in one unforgettable story,” Campana said.
After being attacked while herding cattle and losing his hand, Hands of Gratitude stepped in, and he is now able to resume his studies and regain his independence thanks to a personalized prosthetic that he received from Hands of Gratitude. Campana said his tale serves as a reminder that this work has an impact on lives and technology.
Along with delivering prosthetic hands, students will have the opportunity to interact with Dominican Republic local populations, build cross-cultural relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of their work. This program is intended to provide students a more comprehensive understanding of service and the value of interpersonal relationships while they study the local culture.
The anticipated overall cost of the program, including airfare, lodging, ground transportation and meals is slightly over $3,200 per student. Kent State is concentrating its DI Giving Tuesday campaign on raising money to cover expenses in order to promote accessibility and make the course accessible to all interested students.
Students will finish the course by working in small groups to evaluate their experiences and offer suggestions for enhancing Hands of Gratitude’s business plan or streamlining the prosthetic design process after they return from the trip, which will aim to help the program succeed going forward.
“This course is about daring to make a difference and becoming a catalyst for positive change,” Campbell said. “It’s an opportunity to put what you study into practice, bridging cultural divides and creating real change.”
Courtney Simpson is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].