MormonNewsroom.org features stories from its international Newsroom websites to share what members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are doing to better the communities in which they live.
Peru: Mormon Helping Hands Answer the Call in Local Disaster
Latter-day Saints, wearing their familiar Mormon Helping Hands yellow shirts and vests, and themselves suffering from the effects of flooding rainfall, left their homes to help their neighbors.
“I could not stay home watching what was happening in my country; I had to do something,” said Jose. Such were the thoughts of many Mormons who try to follow the example of Jesus Christ and serve others.
Go to the Peru Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish) for more comments and information.
Ghana: Hundreds of Ghanaians Receive Medical Care
More than 650 Ghanaians received critical medical care due to the partnership of several world organizations, including LDS Charities, – the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The patients with critical needs were helped by 42 medical professionals from the United States who donated their time and expertise.
Read more about how people in Ghana were helped on the Ghana Mormon Newsroom website.
USA, Maryland: Mormons Join Muslims to Ring in the Persian New Year
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Potomac, Maryland, were invited by local Muslims to celebrate Norooz, meaning “New Day,” the new year festival for the first day of spring.
Bishop Frank D. Richards, a Washington, D.C. area leader of the Church, was the featured speaker for the event, held at the Islamic Education Center (IEC) in Potomac, Maryland. Zahra Salaam, IEC public affairs representative, told Latter-day Saints, “You are here because you are our friends. We are thrilled.”
Read more about the event on Mormon Newsroom.
Indonesia: LDS Charities Provides Artificial Limbs
LDS Charities has been working with Yayasan Peduli Tuna Daksha (YPTD) by providing 600 artificial arms and legs to people with disabilities in central Java.
Over the years, LDS Charities has provided support in Indonesia to help people recover from natural disasters, instruct midwives in the techniques of helping newborn babies survive, build water supply systems and improve general health and sanitation.
Go to the Indonesia Mormon Newsroom website (Indonesian) to learn more about who is being helped with the artificial limbs.
Malaysia: Mormon Youth Hold Sports Day for Refugees
As a way of reaching out to refugees and helping them feel welcome, Latter-day Saint teens invited refugee youth to participate in a day of games and fun.
About 30 youth came by bus to a public park where they played a variety of sports games such as relay races, dodgeball and other activities.
Read more about the fun on the Malaysia Mormon Newsroom website.
Philippines: Over 32,000 School Kits Given to Students
Mormon Helping Hands, in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), have prepared more than 32,000 school kits to be distributed throughout the Philippines. The school kits will go to students in the greatest need.
Volunteers worked for approximately 3,500 hours in one week assembling the school kits and preparing them for delivery to children in kindergarten and first grade.
Read more about the project on the Philippines Mormon Newsroom website.
Australia: Gold Coast Singer Observes the Sabbath
Popular Australian singer, Stephanie Dass, follows her convictions as an entertainer of not performing on Sunday. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dass sings music that is popular today. Her husband, Amit, said, “I’m grateful for Steph’s example.” Mormons believe in reserving Sunday for worship at church, studying the gospel of Jesus Christ, being with family and being of service to others.
The Australia Mormon Newsroom website has more about her lifestyle and convictions.