Community Members Work Together To Accomplish Good Works

Wearing Mormon Helping Hands vests, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and neighbors of other faiths were in high spirits, singing hymns of praise while engaged in various projects to beautify Palmer Memorial Hospital in Ikot Usen, Nigeria. 

Over a three-day period, these community members living near Ibiono, Nigeria donated more than 1,200 volunteer hours repairing windows; installing mosquito netting on windows; completing carpentry work; painting; and scrubbing ceilings, walls and floors.

The objective of these projects was to prepare Palmer Memorial Hospital for guests and dignitaries who would be attending a presentation ceremony at which medical equipment would be donated by LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Eno Umoh, hospital administrator, could not hide her joy as she expressed thanks to community volunteers for the facelift of the hospital.

There was a renewed feeling of “community” as many volunteers said this was the first time they had witnessed such a gathering of people to achieve a common goal. Elder Aniefiok Inyon, an Area Seventy (senior leader) of the Church, encouraged people to continue to work together and build understanding.

In thanking LDS Charities for the medical equipment, Mrs. Umoh said, “I have never witnessed any such kind gesture from a religious body. It is an answer to prayer and a dream come true. Because you gave us this equipment, we can serve our patients better and keep them close to home so they can receive love and care from their families.” The equipment allows the local hospital to perform procedures they had previously referred to distant hospitals.

Elder Inyon asked the hospital staff to use the equipment to benefit the poor and needy within the community. He explained the Church’s humanitarian projects are done to “relieve suffering, foster self-reliance and provide opportunities for service.”