MormonNewsroom.org features stories from its international Newsroom websites to share what leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are doing to better the communities in which they live.
Australia: Church Apostle Says Strengthen Families by Teaching the Gospel
Coming upon the 20th anniversary of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” this year, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught Australian Mormons from the document how to strengthen their families.
“Learn the gospel,” Elder Bednar said “and then teach it to your families. Teach them to honor their covenants and live faithfully.”
Read more about what he and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, said to Latter-day Saints on the Australia Mormon Newsroom website.
Malaysia: Lifesaving Equipment Donated by the Church
A kidney dialysis machine and a monitor for the treatment of Dengue fever have been donated by LDS Charities. The Church has a long history of health care service in Malaysia.
One patient who will share the machine with others at the hospital is Tai Mee Chin of Kuala Lumpur. She will be connected to the kidney dialysis machine for five hours per day three days a week. The machine cleanses her blood, removes the toxins and returns the blood to her body.
The Sungai Buloh Hospital in Kuala Lumpur has received the new USCOM monitor, which will be used in the intensive care unit to better care for patients with Dengue fever.
Go to the Malaysia Mormon Newsroom website for more information on how vital these new machines are.
Cambodia: Free Dental Care for Cambodians
A small group of Latter-day Saint dentists traveled from the U.S. to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to treat dental patients, including all the children from a local orphanage.
This was not the first time in Cambodia for Dr. Roger Gartz and his wife, Connie. They have returned five times, including an 18-month period as senior missionaries. The Church has partnered with the Ayuda Humanitarian group to provide this service for those in need of dental care.
Go to the Cambodia Mormon Newsroom website for more information.
India: LDS Charities Helps Homeless Women
The humanitarian arm of the Church has donated tables and benches, bowls, hygiene kits, bed sheets, pillow covers and file cabinets to a Catholic women’s shelter in India.
The shelter, operated by the Sisters of Syro Malabar Catholic Church, is called Jivodaya Ashramalaya.
Read on the India Mormon Newsroom website how these donations have made a difference in the way these women feel about themselves.
Italy: Latter-day Saints Help Collect Medicine for People in Need
More than 290 Italian members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in Italy's annual Medicine Collection Day organized by the Fondazione Banco Pharmaceutical, a nonprofit organization.
Latter-day Saints set up collection points in more than 90 cities to receive medications that are eventually given to people who cannot afford to purchase prescriptions. The annual event has been going since 2000.
Read more about the service and the reason members of the Church get involved on the Italy Mormon Newsroom website (Italian).
Philippines: Church Helps Distribute Food Seeds After Storm Ruby
A number of farmers lost their crops in December 2014 due to Typhoon Ruby in the Philippines. The storm was not as strong as Typhoon Yolanda, but it did result in extensive flooding of many farms.
LDS Charities and Mormon Helping Hands volunteered to help the Philippines Provincial Agriculture Office to get rice and vegetable seeds into the hands of the farmers so they could replant.
Go to the Philippines Mormon Newsroom website to see how many families benefitted.