The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is committed to succoring those that stand in need of succor, as King Benjamin taught in the Book of Mormon. Around the world, millions of people stand in need of succor.
In recent weeks, the Church has donated a new school building to an elementary school in Nigeria, food items and toiletries to female inmates in Ghana, and announced the building of rainwater harvesting systems in Mexico.
Each of these donations reaffirm the Church’s ongoing effort to live as the Savior Jesus Christ taught.
Ogun, Nigeria: ‘The Church is a gospel of giving and empowerment’
St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School in Ogun, Nigeria, typically packs 14 classes into five classrooms due to lack of space in the facility. Without many resources or funds to build new classrooms, children are combined with classes in other levels, grades and subjects.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, together with Build-a-School Initiative Africa and The Coafrica: Africa Classroom Coalition, two organizations determined to provide places of learning and instruction for children across the African continent, donated a newly constructed block of six classrooms, along with 120 school desks and various school supplies to St. Peter’s on Dec. 18, 2024, reported the Church’s Nigeria Newsroom.
These donations will allow students at the primary school to learn in a more appropriate environment, with new supplies and equipment.
“The Church is a gospel of giving and empowerment,” said Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Africa West Area presidency, at the handover ceremony.
Elder Ojediran then invited teachers to nurture their students academically and morally.
Established more than 120 years ago, St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School is an important part of Ogun’s history, and an important asset to creating a better future for their community.
The deputy governor of Ogun, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said: “The state and the government cannot do it alone in promoting education. We need more partners like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Coafrica and Build-a-School Initiative in Africa.”
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana: ‘We are commanded … to visit people who are in prison’
“We are commanded by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to visit people who are in prison, clothe the naked, and feed those who are hungry,” said Yaw Kumah, a stake high councilor in the Mpintsin Ghana Stake.
In responding to such a call, the Relief Society of the Mpintsin Ghana Stake donated assorted food items and toiletries to the inmates of the Sekondi Female Prison on Dec. 26, 2024, according to the Church’s Ghana Newsroom.
Inmates and Relief Society sisters smiled, laughed and even danced together as they shared life experiences with one another during the event, creating a hopeful and joyful atmosphere. The inmates, appreciative of the visit and gesture of help, thanked the Relief Society sisters.
Erica Akwetey, the Mpintsin Ghana Stake Relief Society president, presented the items to the beneficiaries. The assistant director of prisons, Janet Asabea, received the donation on behalf of the female inmates of the prison.
Caring for the inmates of the female prison is very challenging, explained Asabea. “Feeding rate, as it stands now in the country, is woefully inadequate,” she added, thanking the Relief Society sisters for the donation. She then expressed that the donation came at the perfect time as the prison was in need of assistance in taking care of the inmates.
Mpintsin Ghana Stake President Philip Adams, and his wife, Deborah Adams, supervised the donation.
Itztazacuala, México: ‘The Church supports projects that promote the sustainability of communities’
Thirty families — about 270 individuals — in Itztazacuala, a community in the town of Metztitlán, México, have improved access to sanitary drinking water and food security thanks to a generous donation from the Church.
According to the Church’s Mexico Newsroom, the Church, together with Construyendo Esperanzas (Building Hopes), an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of those in Mexico, announced the donation and future construction of rainwater harvesting systems, wastewater treatment systems and family gardens on Dec. 6, 2024.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joins in solidarity as a community of faith with Construyendo Esperanzas,” said President Yufen García, Valle Del Mezquital México Stake president. “The Church supports projects that promote the sustainability of communities and the self-sufficiency of individuals.”
For years, the community of Itztazacuala has faced potable water shortages and a lack of proper sanitation. The new rainwater harvesting systems donated by the Church and Construyendo Esperanzas represent a long-term solution ensuring that families will have a constant supply of clean water for their basic needs.
With the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Construyendo Esperanzas will implement a comprehensive project that includes:
- Rainwater harvesting systems: Each of the 30 beneficiary families will have a 20,000-liter storage tank, ensuring access to clean water throughout the year.
- Gray water treatment: Systems will be built to treat domestic wastewater, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.
- Family gardens: 30 gardens will be established to enable families to grow their own food, improving their nutrition and economy.
- Community tank: A 100,000-liter storage tank will be built to ensure a steady water supply for the entire community.
The project will also include family and community training on water management, good hygiene practices and healthy eating.
Kenia Montiel Pimintel, founder of Construyendo Esperanzas, said, “We come into communities where people want to move forward and want a better future for their children.”
