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In July 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided furniture and teaching supplies to preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools across Central America. These donations are expected to help more than 18,000 students in 425 schools by improving classroom environments.
The donated items included desks for both students and teachers, blackboards, preschool tables, chairs, and other educational materials. Deliveries were made to schools located in Darien, Panama; Retalhuleu, Guatemala; and Escuintla, Guatemala. In each country where the donations took place, the Church worked together with the Ministry of Education.
Ceremonies marking the delivery of these supplies were attended by volunteers, Church officials, teachers, and students.
Elder Ryan K. Olsen from the Church’s Central America Area Presidency was present at the donation event in Panama. He stated: “We do this because we believe in the power of education, in the value of every student as a child of God, and in the duty we all have to serve others.”
Rony Estuardo Estrada, president of the San Felipe Guatemala Stake said: “We deeply recognize and value the work of the public education system in Guatemala, as well as the daily efforts of its teachers, principals and authorities. We are honored to collaborate with you in the noble task of educating future generations.”
Mara Judith Landaverde, Departmental Director of Education who attended one ceremony in Retalhuleu remarked: “We express our most sincere and profound gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the generous donation of school furniture. Their support demonstrates their commitment to the well-being of the community, and it fills us with hope to know that we have their solidarity,” said Landaverde.
According to representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints involved with these efforts, such donations reflect an ongoing commitment to supporting education for children and youth worldwide.
