Members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently participated in various humanitarian efforts around Latin America — from giving haircuts to residents of an elderly home to providing essential equipment to schools and soup kitchens. See some of these examples below.
Peru
The Church’s Peru Newsroom reported a ceremony of recognition held by the National Institute of Children’s Health of San Borja, or INSNSB, in Lima in which the Church was the only ecclesiastical entity to be recognized for its contributions to the fight against childhood cancer.
The general director of the institute, Dr. Zulema Tomás Gonzales, highlighted the spirit of solidarity and kindness of the Church, as well as its contribution in promoting the voluntary donation of blood and platelets in favor of the patients of the institute.
“Thanks to this work, we have saved “more than 180 lives and treated more than 4,600 patients with various conditions,” said Gonzales.
Patricia Montoya, a media director of a communications council for the Church in Peru, received the recognition on behalf of the institution.
In Chaclacayo, members of the Lima Perú Santa Clara Stake spent the day on Tuesday, Feb. 13, ministering to the elderly of the Saturnino López Novoa Home.
Works of affection and personal care, such as haircuts, were administered to the 150 residents, reported Peru Newsroom. Additionally, 150 Liahona magazines and 100 pillows made by the Relief Society of the Santa Clara stake were delivered.
Recipients were surprised and touched by these displays of love and grateful to the volunteers for the care provided.
Guatemala
On Nov. 29, 2023, the Church donated medical equipment and furniture to the Health Center of Patzicia District, a municipality of Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
With the donation of pediatric scales, foot scales, infantometers, head-circumference tapes, sphygmomanometers, obstetric tapes, office desks, secretarial chairs and waiting room chairs, among other items, the care of children, expecting mothers and any patients who attend the health center will be more effective, reported the Church’s Guatemala Newsroom.
The health center expressed their gratitude for the donation, which was delivered by Patzicia Guatemala Stake President Bayron Xovin.
“The donation given is a sample of love for others and the effort to follow the example of Jesus Christ,” President Xovin said.
Another humanitarian effort of the Church included the donation of school furniture to 28 public schools for the educational development of the municipality of San Pedro Ayam Puc.
Among the schools that received equipment, Official Nursery School Annexed to EORM No. 891 La Leyenda graciously accepted classroom, kitchen and bathroom supplies that will help create a better learning environment for their 600 students.
“Among these children we will have great professionals, such as doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, and supporting them to achieve their dream is what matters to us. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we believe in the family and how it can contribute to society,” said Elder Patricio F. Giuffra, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Central America Area presidency.
Ecuador
A group of volunteers provided, improved and maintained the furniture and computer laboratory of the Luis Felipe Sánchez Educational Unit, in the city of Jaramijó, reported the Church’s Ecuador Newsroom.
On Jan. 19, members and leaders of the Manta Ecuador Stake used their gifts, talents and knowledge in welding, repair of refrigeration devices and repair and maintenance of communication and information technologies, to bless the lives of nearly 2,300 students, teachers and administrative staff.
Dalia Cevallos, campus principal, expressed surprise that so many volunteers would arrive to help the school. She explained that they were able to take old equipment that was ready to be thrown away and fully transform them.
“This service saved us time and money for the total repair and maintenance of the Institution. I am very grateful to the Church of Jesus Christ and its kind members. I didn’t think this was possible, the truth is that it is a miracle,” said Cevallos.
Uruguay
A soup kitchen in La Paz in the southern district of Canelones, which provides daily food assistance to over 450 people, received essential equipment from the Church.
With a six-burner gas stove, a stainless steel hood, a kitchen extractor, a microwave, a horizontal freezer and a stainless steel dry cold refrigerator, the municipal kitchen will be able to continue caring for those in need in the community.
Many local government leaders attended the event that was reported by the Church’s Uruguay Newsroom, including the mayor of La Paz, Bruno Fernández, who mentioned that they are always able to count on the church for projects like this.
Mexico
The city of Reynosa, in the state of Tamaulipas, is a common stop for people traveling from Central or South America to the United States. The Senda de Vida 2 shelter has worked to mitigate the harsh effects of migration, however many families lack basic hygiene, housing and food resources.
The Church’s Mexico Newsroom reported the collaboration of the Church with DIF Reynosa and other organizations to provide greater security and dignity to vulnerable families, especially women and children, during their stay in Reynosa.
On Jan. 19, the Church announced the donation of 30 prefabricated homes for the Senda de Vida shelter. The homes, made of water resistant wood and galvanized sheet roofs, have an estimated use of 5 to 10 years and are expected to benefit 21,600 people as they pass through Reynosa.
Colombia
To alleviate hunger and improve nutrition of more than 1,200 migrant children, the Church made a monetary donation to the World Food Programme in La Guajira, Colombia. This donation will provide more than 218,700 meals to 1,215 children who do not have access to a school feeding program, reported the Church’s Colombia Newsroom.
On Feb. 14, a collaborative event was held in Bogotá, in which WFP officials and regional representatives of the Church attended. The leaders expressed gratitude for the donation and hope for a stronger community.
Elder Yan Carlos Vega, an Area Seventy in the Church’s South America Northwest Area, said: “It has been something very special to join together with friends of the WFP to make a donation in the name of the Church. We are united to alleviate hunger in all its forms, not only in Colombia but in the world as well. Jesus Christ taught us that we must do good to others, alleviate world problems in every sense — including hunger — in all its forms.”
Costa Rica
Participating in the worldwide “Light the World” Church initiative, Latter-day Saints in Costa Rica worked together to wrap more than 2,800 gifts for low income children in December 2023, reported the Church’s Costa Rica Newsroom.
Members in the province of Heredia and Municipality of Goicoechea donated their time and energy to bless minors in the surrounding area, reflecting the teaching of the Savior to let your light shine.
In addition to these kind acts, members from many parts of the country and full-time missionaries collaborated with the Asociación Obras del Espíritu Santo for the XXIII National Christmas Festival, by donating candy and supporting the organization.
Christmas devotionals were also organized in meeting houses in Alajuela, La Sabana, Liberia and in the Toyopán Stake Center – located northeast of the capital – to share the message of Christ’s life with friends of the Church.
