Legs For Jimmy
Donation protected
Call to Action:
Our friend Jimmy Santi was born without legs. He's outgrown his old prosthetic legs and desperately needs a new pair. Help us raise $6000 to cover the remaining costs of new legs for Jimmy so he can walk again and attend university. Let's help him achieve his dreams! Our deadline is Feb 15, 2019, please give what you can.
Jimmy’s Story:
Jimmy was born and raised in an Indigenous Kichwa -Shuar family in the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador. Throughout his youth, he relied entirely on the help of his family to get around. He was fitted for prosthetic legs at age 12, but he has long outgrown them. He is now 25 years-old and the old prosthetics are too small, worn out, rusty, and extremely painful to wear.
Despite these difficulties, Jimmy (and his sister) are the first ones in their family to attend university. Through sheer determination and perseverance, he is slowly working towards his goal of becoming a biologist. As Jimmy says, "I never look backward in life, I always look forward." Jimmy is now attending Amazon State University in Puyo, Ecuador as a biology major. However, getting to school is nearly impossible with his worn-out prosthetics and crutches. Living far from the main roads, Jimmy struggles to catch the bus for school everyday. If he misses it, he is forced to walk alone for long distances to get to his classes, rain or shine. Jimmy desperately needs a new set of prosthetic legs.
Photo: Jimmy's extended family in the village of Amazanga, Pastaza, Ecuador.
Why we should help:
Jimmy’s situation is unique. He's the only child to be born without legs in his village, yet he's become an important role-model for the youth because he's one of the few to attend university. Jimmy's dream is to become a biologist to study and protect the endangered rainforests, which is his home. Jimmy is determined to create a bridge between science and his Indigenous heritage, to support his land, community, and future generations. Everyone who knows Jimmy will agree that he is kind-hearted, optimistic, funny, and extremely hard working. He never gives up. Being born without legs has only made him stronger, and more compassionate. A new set of legs are the last push that Jimmy needs to finish his studies. The legs are not just helping Jimmy to walk again, they are helping him save his home.
Now that Jimmy is older and no longer growing in height, a new set of prosthetics would last for many years. He would be able to complete his studies in biology and go on to lead his community. Jimmy is an inspiration to his village, and we are all rooting for his success. Please join us in supporting Jimmy and the future of his community.
Photo: Jimmy Santi in biology class at Amazon State University, Puyo, Ecuador.
Where the money goes:
We have set up this fund to cover the costs of new prosthetic legs for Jimmy Santi. He has already received support from Fundación Hermano Miguel (a non-profit organization in Ecuador) to cover most of the costs for his new legs (a total of about $40,000). Jimmy only needs another $6,000 to cover the remaining fees and his travel costs to Quito, where he will be fitted for his new legs. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated and 100% of the money raised will go directly to Jimmy Santi. If we raise more than $6000, the remainder of the funds will go towards paying for Jimmy's education. Our deadline is February 15, 2019.
About me:
My name is Rae Bear and I am a 15 year old high school student attending San Marino High School in the United States. I am working on this campaign with my aunt, April Liu, who introduced me to Jimmy after visiting his village. After learning about Jimmy, I was stunned to hear that even with all the odds against him, he is so dedicated to his education. I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a community that values education over all else. I am able to learn from amazing teachers in classes I love, such as choir and drama. I am given so many amazing opportunities here, and I want Jimmy to have the same. Jimmy deserves those same opportunities, and we have the resources to help him. I hope you can help!
To reach us via email: [email redacted]
A special thanks to the Cian Dalglish and Raul Vasquez for helping with the translation of this interview and video.
Our friend Jimmy Santi was born without legs. He's outgrown his old prosthetic legs and desperately needs a new pair. Help us raise $6000 to cover the remaining costs of new legs for Jimmy so he can walk again and attend university. Let's help him achieve his dreams! Our deadline is Feb 15, 2019, please give what you can.
Jimmy’s Story:
Jimmy was born and raised in an Indigenous Kichwa -Shuar family in the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador. Throughout his youth, he relied entirely on the help of his family to get around. He was fitted for prosthetic legs at age 12, but he has long outgrown them. He is now 25 years-old and the old prosthetics are too small, worn out, rusty, and extremely painful to wear.
Despite these difficulties, Jimmy (and his sister) are the first ones in their family to attend university. Through sheer determination and perseverance, he is slowly working towards his goal of becoming a biologist. As Jimmy says, "I never look backward in life, I always look forward." Jimmy is now attending Amazon State University in Puyo, Ecuador as a biology major. However, getting to school is nearly impossible with his worn-out prosthetics and crutches. Living far from the main roads, Jimmy struggles to catch the bus for school everyday. If he misses it, he is forced to walk alone for long distances to get to his classes, rain or shine. Jimmy desperately needs a new set of prosthetic legs.
Photo: Jimmy's extended family in the village of Amazanga, Pastaza, Ecuador.Why we should help:
Jimmy’s situation is unique. He's the only child to be born without legs in his village, yet he's become an important role-model for the youth because he's one of the few to attend university. Jimmy's dream is to become a biologist to study and protect the endangered rainforests, which is his home. Jimmy is determined to create a bridge between science and his Indigenous heritage, to support his land, community, and future generations. Everyone who knows Jimmy will agree that he is kind-hearted, optimistic, funny, and extremely hard working. He never gives up. Being born without legs has only made him stronger, and more compassionate. A new set of legs are the last push that Jimmy needs to finish his studies. The legs are not just helping Jimmy to walk again, they are helping him save his home.
Now that Jimmy is older and no longer growing in height, a new set of prosthetics would last for many years. He would be able to complete his studies in biology and go on to lead his community. Jimmy is an inspiration to his village, and we are all rooting for his success. Please join us in supporting Jimmy and the future of his community.
Photo: Jimmy Santi in biology class at Amazon State University, Puyo, Ecuador.Where the money goes:
We have set up this fund to cover the costs of new prosthetic legs for Jimmy Santi. He has already received support from Fundación Hermano Miguel (a non-profit organization in Ecuador) to cover most of the costs for his new legs (a total of about $40,000). Jimmy only needs another $6,000 to cover the remaining fees and his travel costs to Quito, where he will be fitted for his new legs. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated and 100% of the money raised will go directly to Jimmy Santi. If we raise more than $6000, the remainder of the funds will go towards paying for Jimmy's education. Our deadline is February 15, 2019.
About me:
My name is Rae Bear and I am a 15 year old high school student attending San Marino High School in the United States. I am working on this campaign with my aunt, April Liu, who introduced me to Jimmy after visiting his village. After learning about Jimmy, I was stunned to hear that even with all the odds against him, he is so dedicated to his education. I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a community that values education over all else. I am able to learn from amazing teachers in classes I love, such as choir and drama. I am given so many amazing opportunities here, and I want Jimmy to have the same. Jimmy deserves those same opportunities, and we have the resources to help him. I hope you can help!
To reach us via email: [email redacted]
A special thanks to the Cian Dalglish and Raul Vasquez for helping with the translation of this interview and video.
Co-organizers (2)
Rae Bear
Organizer
San Marino, CA
April Liu
Beneficiary
Miranda Liu
Co-organizer