Al-Qalam 
By Al-Qalam correspondent
When Maksud Dala of Klerksdorp, Johannesburg, accidently lost his hand while operating a mince-making machine, he found it extremely difficult do normal things – like playing cricket or holding up a glass of water.
Now, thanks to the Africa Muslim Agency (AMA), he now has a new robotic limb fitted that allows him to live his life as normally as possible.
“I can hold a glass of water and drink with my right hand again. I can hold a broom, pick up bread – and the best part is I can make salaam with my right hand,” he said joyfully.
Dala, who currently works as a Bolt taxi driver to earn a living, said after he lost his right hand in the accident, he found it difficult to carry out simple tasks.
As a right-handed person, the impact was immediate and difficult. “I couldn’t eat properly with my left hand, couldn’t write, and couldn’t hold things the way I used to – I couldn’t lift boxes or carry things that needed two hands,” he said.
Then one day, a friend forwarded him a post from Africa Muslims Agency about robotic prosthetic limbs that AMA was facilitating to help the war-wounded in Syria and Lebanon. “I called AMA to ask whether I could get one, and they agreed. To be honest, I was like…‘is this for real’? Am I going to use a hand again?”
Through GRIPP3D, he was fitted with a 3D-printed robotic prosthetic arm. Dala is now learning to eat with a spoon and continues to adjust using his new hand. “Thank you so much, Dr Joseph, for taking care of me, he said.”
Founded in 2010, GRIPP3D began after Dr Vincent Joseph visited refugee camps in Lebanon and partnered with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund to offer cleft lip and palate surgeries.
After meeting Syrian children injured by the war, the need for prosthetic limbs became clear. After a refugee requested a robotic limb, GRIPP3D evolved from offering basic mechanical hands to building robotic arms using motors, sensors, and 3D-printed technology.
AMA’s GRIPP3D has also delivered robotic limbs across various countries, including South Africa, Malawi and Turkey.
The response from his family and friends has been deeply moving. “The day I came back with the hand, my wife and kids were so excited and emotional. They were very happy. My friends too.”
He’s even thinking about returning to a hobby he loves. “I want to try and play cricket again,” he said with a smile.”
When asked what he would say to the people who helped make this possible, his words were simple: Allah is everywhere, but you can’t see Him. He sends angels – like you guys who helped me get this hand. JazakAllah so much. May Allah reward you and your team in this world and the hereafter.”
