Members of the Church around Central Africa are taking part in a wide variety of humanitarian projects as part of the Light the World initiative this December. 

The services range from providing critical supplies to orphanages, hospitals and prisons to maintaining schools, public restrooms and drainage systems, reported the Church’s Africa Newsroom. Local Church leaders and members planned and implemented the projects to meet local needs.

In total, more than 50 projects will be completed by the year end in this region, while dozens of others are happening in other parts of Africa.

The following are some of the efforts from the Church’s Africa Central Area.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa: Church members spent three Saturdays cleaning, painting, and replacing broken plumbing, electrical fixtures and toilets at a public restroom near the city’s main train station.

Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake members clean up and repair a public restroom near the city’s main train station in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The service project took three Saturdays in December 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

On another Saturday, Church members delivered more than 110 packages with essential food items to a center for people with disabilities. They also cleaned the common areas and painted an exterior wall.

President Kalonji D. Tshitundu, second counselor in the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake presidency, invited all Church members to share the light of Christ because “we serve those around us to celebrate the life of Christ during this Christmas season.” 

The stake Relief Society president, Yvette Katokwe, said, “We are here to give relief, assistance and comfort. Our mission is to help God’s children who are in need.”

Kisanga: Fifty members of the Kisanga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake donated supplies and service at two orphanages near Lubumbashi on Dec. 4. The members will also provide needed supplies to the Boma Prison in Kipushi.

Members of the Kisanga Democratic Republic of the Congo deliver supplies to an orphanage in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The stake donated supplies and service to two orphanages as part of a Light the World initiative in December 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ruashi: Members of the Ruashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake donated food, supplies, clothing, shoes, soap and a new freezer to a homeless center for young women in Ruashi run by the Methodist church. 

Some Church members cleaned the kitchen as others cleared weeds on the property. Youth from the Church taught the girls a couple of new dances and had lunch with them

Kabusanga: Members of the Kabusanga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake donated funds to four health clinics in Mbuji-Maji. These will be used to help patients who cannot pay their hospital bills.

Members of the Kabusanga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake give a donation to a health center in Kabusanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as part of the Light the World initiative in December 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

At the handover ceremony, Kabusanga stake President Bukasa Donatien Yamba said, “We cannot remove all of your physical suffering or debt, but we can help lighten the burden of hospital and medical bills.” He further remarked that, “it is the duty of all Church members to imitate Christ.”

Republic of the Congo

Makelekele: Members of the Makelekele Republic of Congo Stake donated mattresses and basic food items to an orphanage for homeless children sponsored by the Catholic church in Brazzaville.

President Augusin Nkondani, first counselor in the stake presidency, led the effort. Orphanage director Adrien Missiri thanked the Church for its “significant gesture.”

Uganda

Jinja: Members of the Jinja Uganda Stake visited an early childhood center in Namungalwe Village. They brought bulk supplies of maize, rice, beans, salt, sugar, soap and cooking oil and spoke with center officials on how to continue giving support. 

Members of the Jinja Uganda Stake donate food and supplies to an early childhood center in Namungalwe, Uganda, as part of the Light the World initiative in December 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Center Director Mugumya Eseza expressed sincere appreciation for these supplies because they are “seriously facing hunger because food prices are too high, and they are not in a position to buy enough food for the children.”

Cameroon

Douala: Members and missionaries serving in the Douala Branch in the Douala Cameroon District cleaned public spaces, gutters and ditches in the coastal city, which often faces monsoonal rain.