News Release

Mormon Helping Hands Serving Brazil at 2014 World Cup

At the request of Brazil's Ministry of Sports, around 1,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil are volunteering their time to help Brazil host the 2014 World Cup.

For nearly two decades, the Church has been known throughout Brazil for its many Mormon Helping Hands (MHH) projects—community service projects that often involve hundreds and even thousands of Latter-day Saint volunteers.

In 2013, Sarah Menezes, then national coordinator for Brazil Volunteer, worked with MHH volunteers during the Confederations Cup and was impressed by their service. “[Mormon] Helping Hands volunteers are the most organized and dedicated,” she said. “We need you at the Cup."

As a result, representatives of Brazil's Ministry of Sports approached the Church about providing volunteers for the 2014 World Cup.

Over the years, Mormon Helping Hands volunteers in Brazil have cleaned city parks, refurbished public schools, assembled and donated materials for newborn baby kits and provided other service in their various communities. In 2013, Mormon Helping Hands volunteers came to the rescue, helping their friends and neighbors clean up their homes and remove debris following the heavy rains in southeast Sao Paulo. They also donated blood on a nationwide “Helping Hands” day, partnering with blood collection agencies throughout Brazil.

In Zimbabwe, every year members of the Church in different locations undertake service projects to benefit local communities regardless of their faith or beliefs. For example, they have replaced and painted broken doors and windows, plus painted chairs and tables for schools in need. This includes cleaning up outside areas and donating school supplies. Wherever a community needs a helping hand, Zimbabwe volunteers, with their yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests want to be there to help. This year they hope to work with local governments to supply their labor for any government community projects that are in need of help to be completed.

The Mormon Helping Hands program of the Church, carried out in many parts of the world, reflects the desire of Latter-day Saints to follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving others.

 

 

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