The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeks to care for those in need, by alleviating suffering and fostering self-reliance.
In February and March, efforts from the Church fulfilled this mission in cities and states around Mexico by partnering with humanitarian organizations, health agencies and government leaders.
“We are a religious organization that provides assistance without regard to race, religion or nationality, and the help we give is based on the basic principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-sufficiency and sustainability,” said President Alberto Sagastegui Hernandez, first counselor in the Ciudad Victoria Mexico North Stake presidency.
1. Humanitarian aid in Puebla
While on assignment in Puebla, Mexico, on March 17, Sister Michelle D. Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency; and Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, were special guests at a sports event in which children with Down syndrome participated.
The children are part of a program aimed at promoting the inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
Sister Craig and Sister Wright were accompanied by Liliana Ortiz, president of the Municipal DIF of Puebla, who thanked the Church for its interest in humanitarian aid projects in her community, reported the Church’s Mexico Newsroom.
2. Equipment for a shelter in Iztapalapa
The Church donated a water purification system, industrial washing machine and hydraulic supplies to a shelter located east of Mexico City in February.
The donation will allow the shelter to have safe drinking water, and improve the operation of the bathrooms and other facilities that require water to provide services. This shelter serves an average of 250 people each month, explained Mexico Newsroom.
This is the third water purification system recently donated by the Church — the other two were donated to shelters in Tapachula and Ciudad Juárez.
The Church worked with Dimensión Episcopal de la Pastoral de Movilidad Humana, or Episcopal Dimension of the Pastoral Care of Human Mobility, a humanitarian aid organization with the Catholic church.
Father Julio López thanked the Church of Jesus Christ for the donation, saying, “Charity does not need a passport, charity has no borders. Despite the fact that we are different Churches, we have much in common and there are no borders to unite to carry out this type of work.”
Mexico City Meyehualco Stake President Víctor M. Rosas delivered the donation.
“We always look for the things we have in common to team up with the community and with other organizations that work in favor of our brothers and sisters,” he said.
3. Wheelchairs in Tamaulipas
The Church donated 332 personalized wheelchairs and mobility accessories to the DIF of the state of Tamaulipas.
Therapists received training before the official delivery so they could personalize the wheelchairs to allow better use by the recipients, reported Mexico Newsroom on March 3.
“Through this donation we seek to improve the mobility and health of people who have a physical disability,” said President Alberto Sagastegui Hernandez, first counselor in the Ciudad Victoria Mexico North Stake presidency. “Our objective is to work together with local organizations to understand the needs of the population, in addition to training people and caregivers, as well as providing support for the repair and maintenance of donated items.”
4. Wheelchairs in Guerrero
On Feb. 23, the Church donated 348 wheelchairs to the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (Insabi), or Health Institute for Well-being, at the Insabi office in Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero.
The wheelchairs will be distributed in seven regions in the state, reported Mexico Newsroom. As part of the donation, health staff received a two-day training to learn how to correctly assemble, use and fit the chairs to each person.
Guerrero’s health secretary, Aide Ibarez, thanked the Church for the donation. She recognized that the chairs will improve the mobility and comfort of the users.
5. Job fair in Mexico City
An employment fair was held in February at the Mexico City Paraíso Stake Center in Mexico City, where 45 companies participated and offered more than 600 vacancies.
More than 200 people attended the fair to find vacancies matching their education, experience and interests, reported Mexico Newsroom.
Because of its success, more fairs have already been scheduled in June and November.
