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.
Mexico: Church Apostle Delivers Religious Freedom Speech
Elder Dallin H. Oaks's of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to the first meeting of legislators and inter-religious councils of Mexico earlier in April.
He conveyed the message that religious freedom is important to all people, not just people who go to church.
Watch Elder Oaks’ speech in a video on the Mexico Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish).
Malaysia: Lifting and Serving Those in Need
LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joined in celebrating the 174th anniversary of the Relief Society, the women’s organization of the Church. The occasion was marked by giving service and by funding the purchase of several items for a local hospital.
LDS Charities funded the purchase of mattresses and oxygen and suction units to help alleviate the suffering of terminally ill patients.
Read the story on the Malaysia Mormon Newsroom website to gain some additional insight.
Ghana: Latter-day Saint Congregation Makes Donation to Safe Home
Potter's Village in Ghana has received a donation from a Mormon congregation of clothing, bedding, food, writing materials, toiletries, water and other supplies.
The Potter's Village, comprised of 127 residents, mostly children, is a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and homelessness.
Read more about the donation to the home on the Ghana Mormon Newsroom website.
Guatemala: National Day of Service Involves Mormon Helping Hands
Hundreds of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in April’s national day of service throughout Guatemala.
They wore the Mormon Helping Hands yellow vests and shirts while cleaning walls, floors and windows around health centers, and cleaning and landscaping gardens in public schools.
Go to the Guatemala Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish) for a clue to why Mormons perform such service around the world.
Russia: Mormons Came to Serve in Moscow
More than 60 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers devoted a day of service in the annual town cleanup in Moscow. On a soggy day, the volunteers cleaned public walkways from last fall’s leaves.
Mormon Helping Hands, made up of Latter-day Saints and others committed to keeping their communities clean, are usually dressed in the familiar yellow shirts taking on many different jobs, from painting a school to cleaning toys for children in need. Millions of hours have been donated since 1998, when the program started.
Read more about the service in Moscow on the Russia Mormon Newsroom website (Russian).
Ukraine: Mormon Helping Hands Clean Primate House
About 30 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers recently provided a service project that was a bit out of the ordinary.
The volunteers cleaned the the ape pavillion at the Kharkiv Zoo in Ukraine. The Church also gave the zoo nursery beautiful flowers to dress up the habitat.
Go to the Ukraine Mormon Newsroom website (Ukrainian) to read more.