There seems to be something almost magical about those bright yellow ‘Mormon Helping Hands’ vests. When missionaries and members don them, something special is about to happen. Enjoy these three recent news releases from Mormon Newsrooms in India, South Africa, and Philippines.
1. A Wonderful Day of Service in Delhi
All-day service gives clean environment to hearing-impaired residents.
(Image via mormonnewsroom.in)
Volunteers from the congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined together for a day of service in Delhi on Saturday, 25 July, 2015. They gathered from all over the city in the early morning hours to clean and paint 15,000 square feet of surface at the Multipurpose Training Center for the Deaf, a branch of All India Federation of the Deaf in New Delhi. The Center provides vocational training with residential facilities for deaf boys and girls. Most of the students were away studying for exams so they had a wonderful surprise to come home to at the end of their day.
(Image via mormonnewsroom.in)
The 75 volunteers, aged 12-30, donned their Helping Hands vests, swept the walls in preparation, cleaned fans and lighting fixtures and then began the painting. The walls had been repaired earlier by professionals sent by LDS Charities. Dining rooms, recreational room, bedrooms, hallways, stairs and entrances as well as the outside were given new life with the fresh paint. The youth then scrubbed the floors. New curtains had been made by the women of the Church the previous week and were hung in the rooms of the students.
Read more at India Mormon Newsroom
2. Stopping Hunger in Africa One Meal at a Time
Latter-day Saints from Randburg and North Riding congregations enjoyed a lively Mormon Helping Hands Day packing over 17,000 meals!
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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have partnered with “Stop Hunger Now –South Africa” (SHN) in an effort of addressing the problems of hunger and malnutrition that are all too evident in South Africa, and throughout the African continent.
The Church’s National Public Affairs Director for South Africa, Robert O-Friel, recently met with SHN CEO, Ms. Saira Khan, and discussed ways the Church could partner with their organisation. Ms. Khan and members of her Board recently visited the Church’s Area Headquarters in Johannesburg, where they met with Area priesthood leaders, Humanitarian Directors, and others. In a letter received following their visit, Ms. Khan expressed, “We are deeply humbled by [your] humility, integrity and dedication to the world’s most vulnerable communities and sincerely believe that synergies definitely exist between our organisations, but also between us as people wanting to make the world a better place.” She continued, “By whatever name we may call the Lord, the belief in HIM will continue, ensuring that we reach people one at a time…”
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Stop Hunger Now – South Africa is a volunteer based meal packaging and results oriented nutrition programme, which was started in South Africa in 2009. There are currently two full-time operations (Johannesburg and Cape Town). Ms. Graca Machel is the Chief Patron of SHN SA. The organisation secures donations to host Meal Packaging Events, and culminates in the distribution of meals to various Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres throughout South Africa.
(Image via mormonnewsroom.co.za)
In partnership with the Church, members of the Randburg and North Riding Wards joined together on Saturday 15 August, as part of their Mormon Helping Hands service, to participate in one of these Meal Packaging Events.
Read more at South Africa Mormon Newsroom
3. Sagada Water Project Opens 7 Taps for Community Use
Manila — Sagada, a small valley community in the Cordillera mountain range of Northern Luzon, is home to more than 11,000 people. Blessed with many natural wonders and a cool climate, it has become a tourist destination aside from its many agricultural produce.
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However, all of that changed very recently when 7 taps were opened for community use in Barangay Patay where the poblacion or central town is located.
Seeing the abundance of water, a tank was built which collected water from the mountains. Pipes were then connected to bring water from the tank to communities in Barangay Patay. Tap stands were erected in seven strategic locations where people were now able to fetch water.
(Image via mormonnewsroom.ph)
LDS Charities provided materials for the construction of the water tanks and tap stands as well as pipes for the water distribution lines. Volunteers from the barangay provided labor for the construction. It was a Bayanihan (cooperative endeavor) that blessed close to 500 families.
Read more at Philippines Mormon Newsroom
