January 2026

Hearts & Limbs in Zambia

Nathan Wolford, Villager & Volunteer Coordinator of Pasadena Village, recently visited Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka, with a nonprofit organization called Limb Kind (www.limbkind.org). This organization provides prosthetic limbs for pediatric amputees. Donations, grants and fundraisers fund the work of this group. Volunteers like Nathan bring courage, hope and encouragement to the children.

Nathan, who lost both legs in an accident about ten years ago at age 19, said “If it hadn’t been for the amputee mentors that visited me in the hospital, I might never have had the emotional strength to move ahead.” Based on this experience, Nathan decided that he wanted to help others by doing this same kind of work.

The trip to Zambia was a grueling 24 hours of flight time and an enormous pile of luggage filled with prosthetic feet, legs and special equipment. There was another pile of luggage filled with balls, coloring books, craft supplies and games. Between all of that and the luggage of 17 volunteers and several staff members, the luggage handlers had their work cut out for them.

Cure International, the non-profit hospital that hosted this project, provided housing and food for the children and their parents for this week-long event. This hospital has its own prosthetic department and produces about 20 legs a year. With their help and the staff from Limb Kind, 40 prosthetic legs were produced in that single week.

After a day of getting acquainted, everyone went into action. The kids were first measured meticulously for the “made to order” prosthetic leg. This process must be very precise so that the cast will replicate the exact shape of their stumps. Then the prosthetic lab went into full production.

During the production time, volunteers like Nathan played with the kids and developed a rapport with them. The kids saw first hand how these amputee mentors could do everything that non-amputees could do. They played soccer and had races. (Nathan admitted they loved to race him, because they would always beat him.) They colored, talked, and made crafts. All of this was done while the parents watched, most of whom were women. One little boy was dropped off for the week by his mother, but he did very well fitting in and making friends with everyone.

A mix of elation and frustration met the young amputees on the day they received their legs. It was a mix of the joy of having a leg and then learning how challenging it is to use it. The mentors were there to encourage, cheer and help them.

The final event was a runway event. Each child dressed up in any fun way they wished with an assortment of provided dress-up gear, and then they had a chance to strut down the runway on their new legs. The videos Nathan shared of this event were heartwarming.

On their last day in Zambia, the parents sang a song to all the volunteers and staff. In their colorful clothes with hands clapping in perfect rhythm, they swayed and sang a joyful song - truly a gift in kind for Limb Kind. 

The Q&A time was robust. Claire Gorfinkel asked if any portion of the prosthesis could be “recycled” after a child outgrows it. Most often it can be except for the molded portion which is very unique to the individual. Limb Kind returns each year to update and upgrade the growing child’s prosthetic. In between those times, the prosthetic lab at the hospital is able to make small adjustments.

While Nathan was off in Zambia doing his good work, it occurred to us that his experience would make a good presentation. We also decided a fundraiser would be a natural fit for the occasion, so cards were sold with all proceeds being donated to Limb Kind. Villagers who wished could also make direct donations to Limb Kind. Donations totaled $750!

If you would like to watch the video of Nathan’s presentation it is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II9sMTzP_XM