Church Launches Humanitarian Projects in Six Central American Countries to Aid Families

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a series of humanitarian initiatives in Central America focused on safe drinking water, medical care, eye health, and education. Between late May and early June, the Church announced five major projects in El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The Church said they will benefit more than 500,000 people through alliances with specialized organizations, educational institutions, and government entities.

The initiatives are described as part of the Church’s ongoing effort to relieve human suffering and improve living conditions for thousands of families through programs that strengthen health, education, and access to basic services.

One of the broadest projects is a new collaboration with UNICEF to improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, and digital education in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 250,000 people, particularly in communities where access to clean water remains a daily challenge. Matthew 25:35 Olga Isaza, Regional Deputy Director of UNICEF, said during the announcement: “Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and quality education transforms children’s lives today and protects their future.” According to the source, the initiative aims not only to improve public health and reduce diseases linked to the lack of safe water, but also to create better opportunities for new generations.

In Guatemala, the Church announced a technology donation intended to strengthen education in dozens of learning centers. The project includes nearly 750 computers and tablets for 66 educational institutions, benefiting approximately 3,000 students and 300 teachers. It is being carried out with the Sergio Paiz Andrade Foundation (FUNSEPA), the Ministry of Education, and local authorities. Tables, desks, and chairs were also donated to improve learning conditions in some schools. Salvador Paiz, president of FUNSEPA, said the impact goes beyond the devices: “It represents an opportunity for students to learn in a way that is more connected to the world they live in, and for teachers to have new tools to transform their classes.”

For the fourth consecutive year, the Church continues to support the “Ventanas de Luz” program, developed with Charity Vision International and the Foundation for the Development of Women (FUDEM). The initiative seeks to improve eye health among children and young people through eye examinations and prescription glasses. To date, the program has carried out more than 350,000 vision exams in about 1,650 public educational institutions.

Elder Ryan K. Olsen, of the Presidency of the Central America Area, described the reach of the effort: “This program will allow thousands of girls, boys, and young people to receive eye exams and, when necessary, appropriate glasses, which will directly contribute to their school performance and daily development.” He also said the benefits of the program go far beyond the academic sphere.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)