In Brazil, 80 humanitarian projects were carried out in 2022, with donations to more than 50 institutions, including state governments, according to a report from Autossuficiência Brasil (Brazil Self-Reliance, in Portuguese) from the initiatives of the Church’s Humanitarian Services in the country last year.

Also, thousands of Helping Hands volunteers carried out 146 projects in all 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District.

The welfare program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began in 1936 to “help care for members in need and strengthen their ability to become self-reliant” (Autossuficiência Brasil).

In 1985, the humanitarian program started, extending relief through voluntary organizations and members to all those experiencing different needs, regardless of race, color, gender, nationality or religious affiliation.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve others as they work to fulfill the two great commandments given by the Savior Jesus Christ: first, to love God above all things and the second, but equally important, to love their neighbor as themselves.

Humanitarian projects in numbers

In 2022, 80 humanitarian projects were carried out in 20 states and the Federal District, impacting more than 1.5 million people. Below is a summary of the 2022 initiatives in Brazil.

Education

Buses donated by the Church of Jesus Christ to Amigos do Bem help reduce school dropout rates in the backlands. This donation blesses the lives of 2,500 children and youth in Torrões, Alagoas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Donation of equipment and school materials, and school renovations:

• 9 humanitarian projects
• 6 states
• more than 400,000 beneficiaries

Community projects

An event celebrates donations by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the NGO Amigos do Bem in Pernambuco, Brazil, in April 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Support and help local organizations to help meet community needs:

• 29 humanitarian projects
• 10 states and Federal District
• more than 250,000 beneficiaries

Neonatal resuscitation training

Instructors from the Society of Childhood Pediatrics of Maranhao stand with neonatal care equipment donated by the Church.

Brazil Area, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Health professionals were trained to save newborns with breathing difficulties. The donations of resuscitation kits to hospitals and midwives: 

• 2 humanitarian projects
• 2 states
• more than 500 beneficiaries

Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions

On Nov. 26, 2022, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 3 Multiparameter Monitors to the Hospital Nossa Senhora Aparecida de Camaquã, in Rio Grande do Sul.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Improvement of hospital conditions through equipment, supplies and small renovations:

• 23 humanitarian projects
• 11 states
• more than 800,000 beneficiaries

Emergencies

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, the municipality of Carapebus, Rio de Janeiro, received donations for victims of the heavy rains earlier that month.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Alleviate suffering due to natural disasters, civil unrest or food insecurity:

• 15 humanitarian projects
• 9 states
• more than 70,000 beneficiaries

Wheelchairs

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Brazil donated more than 400 wheelchairs in 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Improve mobility, as well as educational and economic opportunities for people with physical disabilities:

• 2 states
• more than 400 beneficiaries

Volunteering in Brazil and Helping Hands

Through Helping Hands, 146 projects were carried out in 109 cities distributed across the country’s five regions, according to the the report. Thousands of volunteers (in Portuguese) wearing their yellow vests across the country donated around 44,982 hours, the equivalent of 1,874 days or 5.2 years of work.

Read More

Projects provided by the Helping Hands program in the Northeast region of Brazil.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Projects provided by the Helping Hands program in the North region of Brazil.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Projects provided by the Helping Hands program in the Southeast region of Brazil.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Projects provided by the Helping Hands program in the Center-West region of Brazil.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Projects provided by the Helping Hands program in the South region of Brazil.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Among the activities were the collection of food, help in emergencies and natural disasters, assembly of humanitarian kits, services to refugees and other displaced people, and many others.

Read More

In February 2022, The Church of Jesus Christ, in conjunction with government agencies in Rio de Janeiro, sent more than 10 tons of food, hundreds of mattresses, blankets, and water to help families affected by the rains in Petrópolis, state from Rio de Janeiro.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

In May 2022, members of the Caxangá Stake in Pernambuco, Brazil, had planned an activity. However, due to heavy rains and knowing there was a shelter in their area, they donated the food they had prepared to the shelter.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

In February 2022, the Helping Hands program assisted families in the Porto Meira Region, Conjunto Bubas, Brazil, victims of a fire that destroyed four houses, leaving the four families homeless.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Helping Hands project, at Stake Paulista Brasil, for victims of the heavy rains in Pernambuco, June 2022.

In June 2022, 2,168 items of hygiene items intended for imprisoned women and apprehended minors were delivered directly to the executive secretary of Resocialization of Pernambuco, Cícero Márcio de Souza Rodrigues.

Facebook Mãos que Ajudam

Many served on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Independence of Brazil, with three specific projects focused on strengthening women, families and communities.

Read More

Thousands of volunteers wearing yellow vests served throughout Brazil in 2022, donating the equivalent of 5.2 years of work.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thousands of volunteers wearing yellow vests served throughout Brazil in 2022, donating the equivalent of 5.2 years of work.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thousands of volunteers, including families wearing yellow vests, served throughout Brazil in 2022, donating the equivalent of 5.2 years of work.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thousands of volunteers, including full-time missionaries wearing yellow vests, served throughout Brazil in 2022, donating the equivalent of 5.2 years of work.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thousands of volunteers served throughout Brazil in 2022, donating the equivalent of 5.2 years of work to more than 1.5 million people.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thousands of volunteers served throughout Brazil in 2022, donating the equivalent of 5.2 years of work to more than 1.5 million people.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints