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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been involved in various community service initiatives around the world. This month, projects were highlighted in regions including Costa Rica, Australia, Mexico, the Cook Islands, Ghana, and Peru, showcasing the Church's community contributions.
In Costa Rica, as part of the "Greater Love" initiative, members and missionaries participated in a community service day in San José. The event included a collaboration with the Works of the Holy Spirit Association, where volunteers cleaned a children's playground and a local Catholic parish. The highlight for many was youths singing “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” for about 100 children.
Australia hosted an iftar dinner in Sydney, bringing together nearly 150 guests on April 10, 2025. The event celebrated Ramadan and highlighted the importance of community and unity. Abbas Raza Alvi from the Indian Crescent Society of Australia remarked, “And during the month of Ramadan, which is a prayer month, you are bringing every religion together. My congratulations, my heartiest congratulations, to every one of you for doing this wonderful job of bringing the people of the community social cohesion, peace and harmony.”
In Mexico, three partner shelters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) received support from the Church to enhance their operations and services, benefiting approximately 13,000 people. Giovanni Lepri, UNHCR representative in Mexico, commented, “These efforts restore hope to those here, reminding them of their worth.”
On April 13, 2025, in the Cook Islands, various Christian denominations congregated at the National Auditorium in Avarua to express gratitude for protection during the cyclone season. Thomas Willie, a local stake president, captured the sentiment: “It was a powerful reminder that we are all children of God. No matter our differences, when we come together in gratitude, His Spirit can be felt in a powerful way.”
In Ghana, the National Ambulance Service's emergency dispatch center was upgraded with Church funding. The renovations included a new roof, air conditioning, and computer equipment. Dr. John Ekow Otoo, deputy director of public health for Ghana’s eastern region, expressed gratitude on behalf of the health service, stating, “It is to the National Ambulance Service, but it is to all of us Ghanaians, and it is really going to be a game changer.”
In Peru, the Magdalena meetinghouse facilitated medical training from April 1-4, 2025, supporting Operation Smile Peru with courses such as Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. In Cusco, an Interfaith Rainforest Initiative was launched on March 27, coordinated by Church representative Francesco Galiano Abanto.
