CHURCH DONATES TO RED CROSS AND CARE BELIZE

August 15, 2008

Two organizations received a number of wheelchairs from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Belize Red Cross received 75 wheelchairs and CARE Belize received 100 wheelchairs.  Carlos Rivas is in charge of welfare assistance within the church for the area of Central America.  He told us more about this donation.

Carlos Rivas, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

“We receive the money from the members of the church then.  They make the donations of money to the church and then we make use of it through the humanitarian department of the church and that is how we get the help to the needy people.  There are a lot of members of the church that have made their own donations and with all the money together we can buy and bring stuff from the United States.”

Receiving the wheelchairs for the Red Cross was its director Lilly Bowman. Bowman highlighted the significance of the chairs for the people across the country that really needs them.  Evan Cowo was on hand to receive the donation on behalf for CARE Belize.  Cowo spoke of how the wheelchairs are going to make the lives of many people better, especially for children who have the necessity to be mobile as they start school.  Rivas says that the church is more than glad to assist in this area of need.  He said its all part of the church’s mission to spread the work of Jesus Christ.

Carlos Rivas, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

“We have been commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ to help the poor and the needy and therefore the members are committed to do so and every country where we go we have made donations of millions of dollars.  We do the distribution of water projects and all of this is through the donation of our church members.  We also help the case of emergencies such as hurricanes and earthquakes and in these situations the government is always welcome to come and ask for assistance and we will help.”

Another 75 wheelchairs will be distributed to needy people in the community through the programs of church.  Rivas explained the church has a continuous assistance program with different humanitarian organizations in different countries.  He also said they help governments through organizations patronized by the first lady in the countries. 

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