Robotel Association (Robotel Derneği) supports individuals with hand or finger deformities, particularly children, by creating and providing free, custom 3D-printed mechanical hands.
With grant support from our Regional Recovery Support Program under the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund, the association focused on designing and producing prosthetic upper limb models for earthquake survivors, especially children.
Please read the following interview to learn more about their work.
Robotel Association creates custom, affordable, and functional mechanical hands for individuals, especially children, using 3D printing technology, and provides these devices free of charge. How do you assess the current situation in your field in Türkiye?
Access to affordable and functional prosthetics remains a significant challenge in Türkiye, especially for children. Traditional prosthetics are often prohibitively expensive and take a long time to produce. Using 3D printing technology, we create custom, cost-effective mechanical hands to address this need.
These devices not only meet functional needs but also help boost children’s confidence and motivation. By offering accessible and personalised solutions, we fill a critical gap, improving the quality of life for those who need it most.
Can you tell us about the activities and outcomes of the project you implemented with the grant support of our Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund?
Our project was launched to support children impacted by the devastating earthquakes on February 6th. Over the past year, we’ve delivered mechanical hands to 73 children. While only three of these children were directly affected by the earthquakes, our efforts to reach more survivors are ongoing.
Through discussions with the Ministry of Health, we’ve received positive feedback on signing a protocol to provide free services in the Hatay region. We’re now awaiting its finalisation. This development will significantly expand our impact, enabling us to address the physical needs of children while also offering hope to the community. Our collaboration with the Ministry will be crucial in reaching more children and ensuring they receive the support they need.
How did this initiative differ from your previous work?
This project required a different approach compared to our usual efforts. Typically, our work is planned and structured, but this initiative demanded quick responses to urgent needs. We also faced additional challenges, such as logistical difficulties, transportation issues, and disrupted communication in the disaster zone.
Despite these obstacles, the experience taught us to adapt quickly and respond flexibly during crises. It also led to closer collaborations with various community stakeholders, allowing us to build a robust support network. These lessons have strengthened our capacity to respond effectively to urgent needs in disaster scenarios.
What are your future goals and projects? How has our grant support affected your future goals?
Our goal is to reach more children across Türkiye and expand our solutions beyond mechanical hands to address different needs. We also aim to play a more active role in post-disaster rehabilitation efforts.
The support we received from the Support Foundation for Civil Society and Turkey Mozaik Foundation has been instrumental in accelerating these plans. The success of this project has inspired us to grow both our financial and operational capacity. We are determined to leverage these achievements into larger-scale projects that can positively impact even more lives.
Do you have a message for the donors supporting this fund?
Donors play a vital role in sustaining and amplifying our impact. Their unique perspectives and resources help diversify our projects and extend our reach. Beyond financial contributions, our donors help us raise awareness within society, amplifying our message.
On behalf of the Robotel Association, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund. Your support has brought hope and happiness to so many children. We believe that together, we can continue to achieve even greater milestones in the future.
