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.
South Africa: Church Apostle Speaks With Religious Leader
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles toured the African continent and met with local Latter-day Saints and with government leaders. The apostle was accompanied by his wife, Mary.
In Namibia, Elder and Sister Cook were met by the secretary general of the Council of Churches, Reverend Maria Kapere, and her husband, Hon. Asser Kapere, president of the Upper House of Parliament in Namibia.
Reverend Kapere also received an award from the Church. Go to the South Africa Mormon Newsroom website to read more about the honor.
Argentina: Apostle Visits With Members and Local Leaders
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in Argentina recently to visit with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with local government leaders.
His visit included a meeting with Carlos Ciurca, lieutenant governor of the province of Mendoza. Elder Christofferson and the government leader addressed how their two organizations need to work together to help the youth of the province.
Read more about their conversation on the Argentina Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish).
Argentina: Church Helps Flood Victims
Dozens of Latter-day Saints in Buenos Aires helped in their communities in early November as homes and businesses were inundated with flooding. The heavy storms of rain, wind and hail were caused by Sudestada, a meteorological phenomenon that affects mainly the coastal areas.
The Church worked closely with local and state governments to help victims receive basic necessities along with children's clothing, personal hygiene items and toiletries.
More information on this tragedy is available on the Argentina Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish).
Nigeria: Wheelchairs Donated by the Church
LDS Charities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided 245 wheelchairs and partnered with MAARDEC (Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre).
The partnership includes a training package to help staff develop skills and knowledge necessary to improve the recipients’ benefits.
Read more about the program on the Nigeria Mormon Newsroom website.
Russia: Mormon Helping Hands Serve Saratov Community
The city of Saratov approved two community service projects proposed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
More than 100 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers from Saratov used shovels, rakes and brooms to clean and beautify neighborhoods. Saratov is in a valley on the bank of the Volga River.
You can read more about why Latter-day Saints help in the community on the Russia Mormon Newsroom website (Russian).
Malaysia: Organizations Combine to Help the Community
Mormon Helping Hands joined with the Pure Life Society on Saturday, November 15, 2014, to clean up debris, weed an herb garden, control a population of banana trees and sort and iron baskets of laundry.
At the end of the day of work, the president of the Pure Life Society expressed thanks for the Latter-day Saints’ help and hoped this would not be the last time they could work together.
Go to the Malaysia Mormon Newsroom website for more comments from the organization’s president.
Pacific: Mormon Teens in Tonga Learn Self-Sufficiency
Tongan students are “learning as they grow” — a garden, that is. The youth are participating in an agribusiness project in school, learning how to grow and harvest vegetables.
Not only are they learning how a garden must be nurtured, but the profits they earn from selling their harvest will help pay their tuition next year.
Go to the Pacific Mormon Newsroom website to learn more.