The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently supported education, funded new medical equipment, donated wheelchairs and made other efforts in several countries in Central America. Church members also served children and those in need in their communities.
Read some examples below from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Supporting education in Costa Rica
The Church worked with United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, to help children and teenagers in Cartago, Costa Rica, to receive training in literacy and life skills.
The Church offered its facilities to host the program — and helped more than 500 children in 2023, explained a news release from the Church.
Marcela Loaiza Solano, whose daughter benefited from the tutorials, shared her gratitude for the support of the Church.
“For us as parents, having a place like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the development of the program has been a blessing because we have a safe place, where we know that they will be protected, with the best conditions,” she said.
Surgical equipment, blood donation and children’s activities in El Salvador
The Church donated two new surgical operating microscopes to a children’s hospital in El Salvador on Jan. 23.
The equipment will allow better care for children’s eyesight through surgeries and recovery, explained a news release from the Church’s Spanish Newsroom.
San Salvador El Salvador Layco Stake President Manuel E. Merlos said the donation “is a way to emulate the example of Christ with love for our children.”
Members of the Church in Mejicanos and Ayutuxtepeque donated blood in January to help the national hospital.
The second counselor in the San Salvador El Salvador Cuzcatlan Stake presidency, Cristian Iraheta, said the service allows disciples of Jesus Christ to follow His example.
“Christ gave His life for us and now we give life by donating our blood to save others who need it in critical moments,” he said.
On Jan. 6, as part of a Three Kings’ Day celebration, the San Salvador El Salvador Cuzcatlan Stake hosted an activity for more than 100 children in the San Roque community of Mejicanos.
The event included a piñata, refreshments, art and donated toys — but also allowed for an open house, where friends of the Church were able to speak with missionaries and learn more about the Church.
Stake President Rafael H. Majano said the idea came from members of the Relief Society who had the impression that they could share the gospel with their neighbors by inviting children and families.
“It has been wonderful to see the goodwill and selfless service of members, leaders and missionaries who participated with donations from toys to refreshments,” he said.
The activity had the support and coordination of the Mejicanos mayor’s office as well.
The month before, members of the stake and full-time missionaries participated in a service project in the city to clean up the streets and decorate and paint as needed. They also worked with the mayor’s office to identify homes of older adults needing cleaning or repair.
The Church also took part in blood donations, toy donation drives, festivals and parades and other service throughout December in El Salvador, reported the Church’s Spanish Newsroom.
Equipment for recovering patients in Guatemala
In November 2023, the Church donated medical equipment, specialized furniture and kitchen supplies to help children, young people and adults who receive special care at Asociación Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro — a recovery center in Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
Elder Patricio M. Giuffra, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Church’s Central America Area, helped deliver the donations to the center, telling the officials how impressed he was with how they serve children and take care of them.
“As the Lord taught in Matthew 25:40, ‘Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,’” Elder Giuffra said.
Donated wheelchairs and service in Honduras
For the third year in a row, the Church received recognition from Telethon Honduras Foundation for donating wheelchairs for children. The Church’s Honduras Newsroom reported that during an event in December 2023, the foundation highlighted how the Church has donated a total of 1,220 wheelchairs and more than 85 hours of training from 2020 to 2023.
Tegucigalpa Honduras Roble Oeste Stake President Alberto E. Sierra said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our neighbors in greatest need, as Latter-day Saints we strive to follow the example of the Savior.”
On Dec. 9, 2023, the Comayagüela Honduras Torocagua Stake donated food, personal hygiene items, school supplies, clothing and toys to a local charitable organization that serves children.
And on Dec. 16, 2023, young single adults served at a nursing home in La Lima — bringing gifts and spending time with the residents — while youth and their leaders took part in a service project at Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital. They told the Church’s Honduras Newsroom how they felt inspired and happy after helping the patients.
