The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
better known as the Mormons, has long had a presence in
Belize--usually in the form of young pink-faced
missionaries who could be seen walking the mean streets
of Belize City day or night. But as the church grows
locally, its involvement with the community is also
expanding... as News 5's Jacqueline Woods learned this
morning.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The items of educational materials, health kits, and
clothing will help to alleviate the suffering some
families experience because they simply cannot afford to
provide their children with the basic needs. The
donation, a gift from the Church of Latter Day Saints to
the Ministry of Human Development, includes computers,
educational books, hygiene, and newborn kits.
Elder Roger Haynes, Mission Secretary to Belize
”We have a humanitarian department in our church and
we provide kits like these all over the world, and in
addition to that, food items, or items that can help
people in disasters. So for instance, when there was a
tsunami in Southeast Asia, we provided a great amount of
food and other products that could be used by the people
of that area.”
In accepting the gifts, Minister Sylvia Flores says the
occasion represents a growing and strengthening
relationship between the church and state.
Sylvia Flores, Minister of Human Development
”Back in March of 2004, I ask my C.E.O. Miss Anita
Zetina to establish a relationship with the churches.
Well we started off forging this relationship with the
major churches, the Catholic, the Methodist, and the
Anglican, but as I indicated to her that we need to
broaden that relationship. And often times even as we
speak about the separation of church and state we have
to recognise that we have a common constituency and that
is people, that is humanity. That when we think about
the whole idea of service we are trying to meet the
basic needs of human kind, yes, but also to be able to
deal with the other problems, the other issues in our
society. That relationship is bearing fruit and I am
happy to know that we will be forging one with the
Church of Latter Day Saints to be able to address some
of these needs.”
Institutions receiving some of the items include the
Ministry of Education, the Belize Council for the
Visually Impaired, and the Dorothy Menzies Child Care
Centre. Foster Mother at the Children Care Centre,
Hortence Reynolds says the eight computers they will
receive will greatly assist the students residing at the
home.
Hortence Reynolds, Foster Mother, Child Care Centre
”We are so grateful for these computers because right
now I have three children that will be attending high
school, I have another one that will be going to sixth
form, and I have about three going in standard six, so I
am really, really, appreciative of these computers. This
will help me a great deal.”
In addition, the Ministry received a total of ninety
bales of clothing, which will be distributed to needy
families across the country. Jacqueline Woods for News
Five.
The total value of the items is estimated at over one
hundred and thirty-one thousand U.S. dollars. Last year,
the Church of Latter Day Saints donated one hundred
wheelchairs to the Ministry of Human Development.
