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Church members’ service promotes social inclusion and accessibility in 2 South American countries

Recent efforts in Argentina and Peru ‘allow us to serve our community and strengthen social inclusion beyond our beliefs’

Honoring their commitment to love all of God’s children, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are directing efforts to promote accessibility and foster inclusivity in their homes and communities. Over the past couple of months, members in Argentina organized a service project to restore beaches in Mar del Plata, including creating an accessible beach. Also, Church members in Lima, Peru, hosted an entire event dedicated to promoting social inclusion.

Read more about the success and impact their efforts have had below.

A group of volunteers holding an Argentinian flag in front of a sign that reads, "Mar del Plata."
Volunteers, including missionaries, in Mar del Plata, Argentina, worked to clean up and renovate approximately 4 kilometers of beaches. The Church's Spanish-language Newsroom reported on the service in January 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Paula Gasco Owens ramp displaying a painted sun, an ocean, an accessibility sign and words of encouragement.
The Paula Gasco Owens ramp in Perla Norte Beach Resort displays words in Spanish, from left: friends, strength, determination, love, family, tolerance, thanks and constancy. The Church's Spanish-language Newsroom reported on the service in January 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Mar del Plata, Argentina

More than 260 local volunteers gathered to clean and renovate approximately 4 kilometers of beaches and breakwaters in Mar del Plata, including the accessible beach located within Perla Norte Beach Resort.

According to the Church’s Spanish-language Newsroom on Jan. 22, this accessible beach is the only one in the city to have floatable wheelchairs and lifeguards trained to assist individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility. Volunteers revitalized the area by repainting ramp railings and the accessible deck, renewing existing signage, installing recycled bins made from pallets and crafting new seats for the floatable wheelchairs. All of these efforts were made possible through the collaboration between volunteers and the municipality, which supplied paint and wood.

The accessible deck in Perla Norte Beach Resort.
The accessible deck in Perla Norte Beach Resort near Mar del Plata, Argentina, helps individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility access the beach's shore. Volunteers helped refresh and repair the deck, reported the Church's Spanish-language Newsroom in January 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Recognizing the volunteers’ work, Jorge Ricchilo, concessionaire of Perla Norte Beach Resort, said: “The charitable work of this Church was incredible, focusing on people with disabilities and asking for nothing in return. They were days of much collaboration between youth, lifeguards, the municipality and people of all ages. This effort made the beach much better than last year.”

Among volunteers were teenagers, children, seniors, missionaries and bystanders who joined upon seeing the work. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, the beach now appears renovated, reflecting the Church’s commitment to selfless service and the care of shared spaces to benefit the community, the Spanish-language Newsroom reported.

A group of volunteers standing with tools and signage used to renovate the accessible beach in Perla Norte Beach Resort.
Volunteers of all ages helped clean up and renovate approximately 4 kilometers of beaches at Mar del Plata, Argentina. The Church's Spanish-language Newsroom reported on the service in January 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Lima, Peru

In December 2024, the Lima Perú Begonias Stake in San Juan de Lurigancho district, Lima, Peru, opened its doors to receive hundreds of attendees in an event that highlighted the importance of social inclusion and community bonds.

“This activity was a success, with the participation of 400 people with disabilities and their caregivers. It has been an example of how joint efforts and commitment can make a difference,” said community representative Lenny Bárbara Celis Solís, expressing her gratitude for the service rendered at the event.

A group of attendees, including two in wheelchairs, together in a meetinghouse.
Members in the Lima Perú Begonias Stake gather in December 2024 at the stake center, located in San Juan de Lurigancho district, Lima, Peru, for an event specifically dedicated to promote social inclusion. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

According to the Church’s Spanish-language Newsroom, the event was brought forth by the joint efforts of President Carlos Cornejo, second counselor in the Begonias stake presidency, and the Council of Communication, represented by Elizabeth Amaro and Nathaly Gutiérrez. Present at the event were community representatives, such as Celis, and personnel from the Medalla Milagrosa Center of Health.

“These activities allow us to serve our community and strengthen social inclusion beyond our beliefs. It is an opportunity to get to know and support the people in our district,” President Cornejo said.

Further promoting social inclusion, the event was hosted in the Begonias stake center — an accessible building near public transportation. This allowed attendees to arrive comfortably and participate in the activities, the Church reported.

Through collaboration with various organizations and the local community, this event created a space where all participants could feel valued and supported, the Church reported.

A group of attendees holding a sign that reads, "Medalla Milagrosa Center of Health."
Hundreds of attendees, including people with disabilities and their caregivers, participate in an inclusive event in December 2024 organized by the Lima Perú Begonias Stake and other community members and representatives. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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