The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated blood, food, equipment, renovations and other aid to organizations in cities throughout Brazil in March and early April.
The humanitarian efforts in Goiânia, Ribeirão Preto, Taboão da Serra, Bauru and Guarulhos will help organizations seeking to serve those in need. And the efforts help the Church’s desire to care for those in need by following the example of Jesus Christ.
Below are brief descriptions of these efforts as provided by the Church’s Autossuficiência Brasil Facebook page.
1. Blood donation in Goiânia
On April 4, members and missionaries of the Church took part in a blood donation campaign in the parking lot of Assembleia Legislativa de Goiás, or the Legislative Assembly of Goiás, in the city of Goiânia.
The donated blood increased the stock at the blood center in the city and helps save lives. Cardiologist Fernando Curado said, “The stock of blood varies a lot throughout the year depending on the consumption of hospitals, hence the need for constant replenishment to meet the demand.”
Goiânia Brazil Stake President Filipe Gornero Rezende explained why members of the Church participate in blood drives by citing John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” He also said, “When we are in the service of our neighbor, we are only in the service of God,” drawing from Mosiah 2:17.
2. Improvements in Ribeirão Preto
On April 4, the Church of Jesus Christ announced a donation to the Fraterno Auxílio Cristão, or Christian Brotherly Aid, of Ribeirão Preto, in the state of São Paulo.
The project will renovate the electricity and replace windows in the institution, in addition to the donation of a refrigerator and freezer that will improve the ability to serve food.
The institution has been serving children, teens, young adults and adults since 1957, by providing social and cultural development through vocational training.
Ribeirão Preto Brazil South Stake President Ricardo L. Mendonça and his first counselor, President Mateus Eduardo Vilela, were present for the announcement.
3. Improvements for music students in Taboão da Serra
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced donations to Associação Músicos do Futuro, or the Future Musicians Association, in Taboão da Serra, in the state of São Paulo.
The donation consists of lining the rooms and hallways with better acoustic insulation, minimizing the effect of vibrations and sound from one room to another.
The founder, Edison Ferreira, said in March that the association for years has been dreaming of bringing better conditions to its students when it comes to infrastructure. The change to “the rooms and hallways will bring great benefits ... since we are not talking about comfort more than an adequate space for the learning process.”
4. Expanding special education services in Bauru
In March, the Church of Jesus Christ announced a donation for the expansion of APAE Bauru headquarters in the state of São Paulo.
APAE Bauru serves 4,000 people with intellectual, physical and visual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, special educational needs and other needs.
The Church is helping to fund the expansion and construction of a waiting room, two bathrooms, a screening room and reception room. The new rooms will allow the organization to better serve patients who are coming from other cities. Other partners of the institution will finance the remaining project.
5. Food carts for a shelter in Guarulhos
In March, the Church donated four thermal transport carts to the Centro Espírita Casa André Luiz, or Casa André Luiz Spirit Center, in Guarulhos in the state of São Paulo.
The carts will allow workers at the center to keep meals hot and safe while they distribute them. More than 2,000 meals are served per day.
Opened in 1958, Casa André Luiz has a mission to offer shelter and education to poor families, orphaned and abandoned children, and to serve children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
6. Equipment for the visually impaired Ribeirão Preto
On March 14, the Church donated Braille machines, a cold chamber and photovoltaic system to Associação dos Deficientes Visuais de Ribeirão Preto, or the Association of the Visually Impaired of Ribeirão Preto.
The Braille machines will be used in the teaching and learning process for the visually impaired served by the association, while the cold chamber will allow the institution to safely store food and other perishable products. The photovoltaic system will help the institution convert solar energy into power.
The association offers free services to people with visual impairments and their families.
