Latter-day Saints Around the World: October 2024 

Newsroom features stories from its dozens of websites worldwide to show what members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to serve their communities. Today, we feature news from Burundi, Micronesia, the Philippines, Liberia, Cambodia and Mexico.

Burundi: New Classrooms Constructed

On September 16, 2024, in the Republic of Burundi, the Church of Jesus Christ handed the keys to seven newly built classrooms to Kaburantwa Fundamental School. The Church also helped renovate three other rooms and gifted 450 benches. Around 1,000 people, led by a drumline, turned out to celebrate the donation.

One mother expressed her deep gratitude because every rainy day she feared the old buildings would collapse on the children. But now the community is at ease.

Read more about the donation and celebration on the Africa Newsroom.

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Micronesia: Donations Help Empower Women

In the Chuuk Islands of Micronesia, the Church of Jesus Christ contributed to the Chuuk Women’s Organization (CWC), which works to help women achieve healthier and more self-reliant lives by providing mobility aids, nutrition counseling, exercise opportunities, emotional support and other important services.

The Church donated equipment for exercise classes, pedometers, reading glasses and 125 wheelchairs.

A resource that the Church also made available to CWC, and to all islanders living in Micronesia, is a program manual entitled, “Eat Healthy and Be Active: A Pacific Diabetes Prevention Education Programme.” Read more about the program on the Micronesia Newsroom.

Philippines: 8,000 Attend Fun Run Celebrating Family

The last week of September has been designated as National Family Week in the Philippines. To kick off the celebration, the Church of Jesus Christ organized a family fun run. More than 8,000 people joined.

“What a great activity! The fun run brought all these families together and encouraged us to grow closer. Even though this is an annual event, we are continually impressed by the joy and sense of togetherness it brings. Most of all, the kids are so happy, and they love being here,” shared a participant.

You can read more about the Church’s involvement in National Family Week, which included a concert and a music video premiere, on the Philippines Newsroom.

Cambodia: New Smiles for Children

On September 20, 2024, the Church of Jesus Christ donated much-needed surgical equipment to Smile Cambodia. This volunteer-based organization provides free treatment to patients with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.  

Smile Cambodia has performed over 5,400 surgeries, and with this donation, they will have new surgical capabilities.

“We are so grateful for the support of the [Church of Jesus Christ] to bring these much-needed services to Cambodia and Asia,” said Smile Cambodia Executive Director Chan Kok Choy.

Read more about the donation on the Cambodia Newsroom.

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Liberia: Supporting Returning Refugees

Through the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), the Church of Jesus Christ donated food, life-saving medication and other household items to Liberian returnees from Ghana to assist them in their reintegration process.

The Executive Director of the LRRRC, the Honorable Patrick Worzie, thanked the Church on behalf of the government of Liberia, saying that they were happy to receive help at such a critical time. 

“We see the face of God in what you are doing. May God richly bless you and the hands of those givers,” he said. Read more about the donation on the Africa Newsroom.

Mexico: Collaboration with Catholic Relief Services Supports Migrants

In Baja California on September 24, 2024, the Church of Jesus Christ announced a donation to Catholic Relief Services to support those suffering from homelessness. This donation will benefit around 15,000 people across five shelters.

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Ghana: Computers Donated to Police Command

On October 11, 2024, the Church of Jesus Christ donated six desktop computers and three printers to Ghana's Western Regional Police Command.

President Jacob Hellend of the Ghana Takoradi Mission presented the donation to Dr. F.K. Tsidi, Assistant Regional Commissioner of Police and Deputy Regional Police Commander.

President Hellend emphasized the connection the Church in Ghana feels to the local area.

"We are part of your community and part of this work. We feel united with the people and are grateful for the police department’s service and protection," he said.

Read more about the donation on the Africa Newsroom.