The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donates funds, provides resources and uses its members to bless the lives of those in need around the world. In Peru, the Church has continued to offer help to thousands of people in just the past few months.
Operation Smile Peru, in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held its 26th International Surgical Program Oct. 11-18 at the Daniel Alcides Carrión Hospital in Callao, Peru.
The campaign allowed 80 patients, especially children, to receive free surgeries for cleft lip and/or cleft palate, a surgery for children who were born without skin between their upper lip and nostril.
“The alliance with the Church is very important to us, as their volunteers always collaborate with great willingness and respect for patients and their families. Their support in the different stages of the program has been fundamental to provide 84 free surgeries in this latest event,” said Lizet Campos, regional director of Operation Smile, in a news release from the Church’s Peru Newsroom.
On Oct. 9 and 10, just a day or two before the surgeries, the Church provided facilities and valuable space to support the volunteers are they held laboratory tests and medical evaluations.
The Church volunteers were led by Nancy Yañez, representative of the Church’s communication council in Peru, and received words of gratitude from both Lizet Campos and Ana Rosa Muñoz, regional executive director and volunteer manager for Operation Smile.
Additionally, the Church cooperated with the Regional Institute of Neoplastic Diseases of the South (IREN South) Blood Bank in developing a blood donation campaign with the motto: “Donating blood is giving life.”
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the specialized team from the IREN South Blood Bank assisted volunteers who came to the Dolores meetinghouse of the Church’s Arequipa Peru Central Stake.
Just one month later, on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Huancayo, Peru, another blood drive campaign was made with the slogan: “Join the effort and save lives,” in coordination with the Regional Institute of Neoplastic Diseases of the Center (IREN Junín) Blood Bank.
President Hubert J. Jiménez Fasabi, president of the Mantaro Peru Stake, coordinated the service activity with Dr. Alexander Chávez Huamani, director of IREN Centro Junín, and Dr. Elizabeth Peña Guerrero, head of the blood bank, who invited the community of the Mantaro Valley to participate in the solidarity action.
“This is one of the activities where we follow the example of the Savior Jesus Christ, the opportunity to donate blood for those who are suffering from some oncological problems, is with the purpose of helping and serving others,” said Bishop Michelangelo M. Gonzales Ravines, bishop of the Concepción Ward in the Mantaro stake, who was one of the blood donors.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Callao, Peru, organized a free health campaign that benefited more than 120 people on Saturday, Oct. 26, reported Peru Newsroom.
The Church’s meetinghouse in the Pescadores Ward became the epicenter of the campaign to promote well-being in the community, as it has been for more than eight years. With the support of the Municipality of Callao, MD Solution, the Peru-Korea Health Center, the Montalvo Institute and other allies, essential services were offered such as comprehensive medical care, clinical laboratory, podiatry, ophthalmology, legal advice, psychology, nutrition, vaccination and aesthetic care.
“This event not only offered free legal advice, but also empowered the community on issues such as family and labor rights. We hope to continue with these initiatives that strengthen our society,” said Jennifer Herrera of the J. Reuben Clark Legal Society, who collaborated with the Church for the event.
