Humanitarian Training

This week was spent learning our various roles in Humanitarian Service. They are divided between Major Initiatives, those developed by church headquarters and done worldwide, and Area Initiatives which are those we will develop in country. Major Initiatives include Clean Water (reduce poverty, combat disease, environmental sustainability), Vision Care (combat disease), Neonatal Resuscitation (reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat disease), Wheelchairs (reduce poverty, promote primary education, gender equality, combat disease), and Food Production (reduce poverty, combat disease, promote health). Some examples of those we might do in country include getting computers for rehabilitation training, blackboards for rural schools, equipment for rural clinics, etc. The primary purpose of Humanitarian Services is to relieve suffering, to foster self-reliance for families of all nationalities and religions, and to provide opportunities for service.
"There is and interdependence between those who have and those who have not. The process of giving exalts the poor and humbles the rich. In the process, both are sanctified." Marion G. Romney

"We cannot judge, for we know little of what has been endured and nothing of what has been resisted" Kipling

Our guiding principles are to build local leadership, ensure that the projects are sustainable by local leaders and communities, and promoting self-reliance by encouraging people to develop the skills, competencies, and attitudes needed as they learn to help themselves. Over the years the Church has found that when project design and implementation is done by local people, efforts are more likely to be sustained. In essence we will be facilitators.
" Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me and I'll understand." Unknown

On Monday we toured the Church welfare facilities in Salt Lake City and learned of the many resources used to provide disaster recovery and aid the impoverished world-wide.

The rest of the week we spent in class learning about the specific major initiatives an how we would initiate one in our country of service.
"You can't have peace of mind and  be in want materially. You can't have the spirit of the Gospel in your hearts with an empty stomach so in the plan of the Master there is provision not only for the salvation of the spirit of man, but also for his physical being" Matthew Cowley
This week's experience has expanded our testimony that Heavenly Father loves all children in the world and wants to bless their lives and bring them back to Him. We are honored to be His representatives in Kazakhstan and hope to be good examples of His love.

"There are no coincidences, only minor miracles in which the Lord prefers to remain anonymous." unknown

If you want to learn more go to http://newsroom.lds.org/topic/humanitarian-services .