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Toymaker makes false arms and legs - 23rd February 2024

This is the workshop of Roly Mamani. As a child, he made his own toys. Now, Mamani's a toymaker. He makes arms and legs too – 'prosthetic limbs'.

Roly Mamani: "Not having toys gave me the necessity, the curiosity, to create my own things, and currently, I have surpassed that. We are helping people, animals, and trying to change many things. There are many challenges that we have had to overcome."

Mamani learned about engineering at university. Then, he opened his workshop. He started making robot toys. One day, he heard about a man without hands. He decided to make the man two hands. It worked! Now, Mamani uses his skills with 3D printing. He makes body parts. He works with his brother, Juan Carlos.

In Bolivia, there are 36,000 people with leg, hand and arm problems. The government doesn't give out prosthetic limbs. They're too expensive. Mamani keeps the price low for people. He pays by selling his robot toys.

Pablo Matha plays the guitar. Now, with his new arm, he can earn money.

Pablo Matha: "I have found it much easier to play the guitar and I have been able to play with the prosthesis. For me, it’s a great gift that Roly and Juan Carlos have given me.

Now, singer Marco Antonio Nina can hold the microphone.

Marco Antonio Nina: "I love to sing, and I have to hold the microphone with this hand. So, sometimes, like now, I have a problem here, and it becomes numb after holding the microphone. Now, with this, I am able to make the movement and leave it there. It's easier for me to grab the microphone and sing."

Mamani wants to open a centre. It will teach people to use their prosthetics.

People think Mamani's wonderful. But, for him, it's about science.

Roly Mamani: "For me, science is like a superpower, which allows you to do things that sometimes make you feel very good. It makes you feel a sense of empowerment when trying to come up with a solution. In our case, technology and robotics help us create anything."