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Empowering Innovation: ICS Student Brings 3D-Printed Hope

Empowering Innovation: ICS Student Brings 3D-Printed Hope

One ICS High School student has 3D printed a hopeful future for medical patients in Ethiopia.

High School student Eunchan H. launched 3D CURE, a bioengineering initiative with a mission as ambitious as it is compassionate. He is designing and delivering affordable, custom 3D-printed prosthetics and medical braces to hospitals and clinics around the country.

The inspiration for 3D CURE came from volunteer visits to CURE Hospital, where Eunchan witnessed children struggling with uncomfortable traditional casts that caused itching, odor, and even infections. Fueled by a mix of empathy and engineering skill, he began prototyping solutions using ICS’s own 3D printers in the M101 Computer Lab.

With mentorship from IB Computer Science teacher Ato Leul, he created custom-fit prosthetics that are functional, child-friendly, and colorful.

“From learning under bio-technicians to researching with doctors, I tried everything to create a small gift for children like Mahlet, my first patient,” Eunchan said. “This project is about more than design—it's about delivering dignity, comfort, and joy.”

So far, 3D CURE has helped more than 30 patients—including children recovering from fractures and those congenital conditions—through partnerships with five hospitals and two medical companies in Addis Ababa. Each prosthetic is designed using detailed scans and CAD tools like Meshmixer and Fusion 360, then printed using biodegradable materials that eliminate the risks of traditional casts. The result: a 60% reduction in cost, shorter wait times, and a product that’s safer and easier for children to wear.

This project represents the kind of cutting-edge, real-life learning ICS Addis prioritizes. Students don’t just study innovation—they live it. And they’re empowered to make meaningful change far beyond the school walls.

Looking ahead, the 3D CURE team is scaling up operations, training new ICS students in design, and hosting a fundraising marathon in Amsterdam on 25 May in partnership with Dumari, to raise €1,000 for materials and expansion. The founder is also working internationally with Universal Limbs to bring custom-designed prosthetics to children in conflict zones across Gaza, Egypt, Turkey, and Lebanon.

“Our community’s support can take this further,” he added. “By sharing our work, donating, or simply spreading the word, ICS can help us reach even more kids who need our help.”

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This is what the ICS Way looks like in action—students leading with purpose, technology, and heart.