You Have Two Hands: One to Help Yourself, The Second to Help Others

Unbeknownst to many, there are a number of Humanitarian Missionaries (usually married couples) quietly assisting throughout the world.

Here is a recap of just some of the recent humanitarian efforts in Asia.

Nepal

Over 8,000 died and more than 21,000 were injured as a result of the Nepal earthquake that hit in April 2015. The effects are still felt as rebuilding and supplies are hard to come by for many.

Six villages in the Dolakha district were selected to receive rice, tarps and blankets from left over earthquake relief funds.

Another project saw 10,000 blankets distributed to mountain areas with sponsorship from the President and Vice-president of the country.

Hari Gurung, 53 years old from the Chap area of Nuwakot District said, 'We are feeling cold. Lots of people come and only give us a handshake and say 'Hi'.  You bring us a blanket.'

Indonesia

In an effort to improve community relations with neighbours of an upcoming church building, a member service project assisted in a Community Eye Screening Clinic. During the day, 282 community members received eye examinations.  The building was crowded, but all those who attended the eye clinic were grateful and patient as they waited. Thirty members of the Solo Stake gave service by working through the day in facilitating the eye clinic and assisting the staff of Gadah Mada University.

Another project, in Jarkarta, Indonesia is currently underway. It is cleft palate surger for the poor and will bless the lives of approximately 47 Indonesians who were born with a cleft palate deformity.  Many patients require two to three surgeries, lips, palate, and nostril.  This deformity causes serious physical consequences for those who suffer with it including malnutrition.  Equally as serious as these physical problems, is the emotional trauma these children suffer.  They are often hidden away to keep from bringing, “shame” upon their families.

Doctor Titi and her hospital, Rumah Sakit Ibu and Anak Lestari, in Jakarta, have partnered with Latter-day Saint Charities for more than a decade to bless the lives of the poor of Indonesia.  She is affectionately known to many as the “Mother Teresa of Indonesia” because of her untiring service to the poor.

Vietnam

Although the Mekong Delta is full of tributaries and waterways, the water is often dirty and unsuitable for consumption.   Obtaining drinking water can be expensive and labor intensive.  Bottled water can be purchased, but it is expensive and many people cannot afford it.  Most of the residents in this region have devised a means of capturing the rainwater from their roofs, but lack storage capacity.

In December 2015 a project that took more than a year to complete was acknowledged with a closing ceremony. The project provided water storage tanks to 1500 individual households. Several of the recipients expressed appreciation for the large tanks and were very happy that they would be able to have drinking water from the sky.