The Church of Jesus Christ Gives Project HOPE $3.4 Million

During two separate meetings held in Ecuador and Colombia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $3.4 million to Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere). Project HOPE is an international global health and humanitarian aid organization, founded in the United States in 1958.

The funds will help improve the health of migrant and vulnerable populations in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

On Monday, May 13, a meeting was held in Quito, Ecuador, at which the Church donated $1.1 million. Elder Nefi M. Trujillo, an Area Seventy of the Church, joined other leaders to present the funds to Ramiro Proaño of Project HOPE.

More than 19,200 Venezuelan migrants residing in Ecuador will benefit through this financial assistance. The funds will be used to provide quality care, equipment, professionals, medicine, and hygiene kits. The project provides pharmaceutical products with prescription validation from suppliers supported by Project HOPE. In addition, medicines and medical equipment will be used by health professionals to provide crucial basic health services, including maternal health care.

Over 18,000 sanitation and hygiene kits will be distributed for 10 months and will include soap and hand sanitizer, sunscreen, towels, and detergent.

In Venezuela, Project HOPE will focus on health, nutrition, and psychological support for mothers, caregivers, and children. Funds will provide training for health personnel and products for medical treatment of diseases and malnutrition. Nutritional guidance will also be provided for mothers and children.

Project HOPE in Venezuela will provide training sessions for mothers and caregivers to develop support for physical, mental, and nutritional health.

On Thursday, May 16, a meeting was held in Cúcuta, for the additional donation of $2.3 million for Project HOPE in Colombia and Venezuela. The funds will help more than 53,000 Colombians and Venezuelans. Facilities will be implemented to provide electricity, hand-washing stations, latrines, and private consultation spaces. 

The Church’s 2023 caring summary shows that the faith’s efforts to care for people in need included more than $1.3 billion in expenditures, 6.2 million hours volunteered and 4,119 humanitarian projects in 191 countries and territories.