Volunteers serve, benefit hospitals
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SAO PAULO, Brazil — Sixty thousand volunteers — members and friends of the Church from 180 stakes — volunteered May 1 in more than 200 hospitals in 150 cities in every state of Brazil, celebrating their Labor Day holiday by joining the "Helping Hands for Public Hospitals" project.
Under way since the beginning of the year, the project was a landmark experience for all who participated. Instead of refurbishing buildings as they have in past Helping Hands projects, volunteers gathered in workshops and large sewing bees, creating some 150,000 donated items, including sheets, shoe coverings, smocks, pillowcases and infant clothing.
In Sao Paulo, Elder Mervyn Arnold, president of the Brazil South Area, accompanied by Elder Flavio Cooper, Area Seventy, visited workshops where clothing was being sewn and where he made a point of praising and complimenting the volunteers.
"This is one of the very best humanitarian efforts I have ever been a part of," said Elder Arnold. "A very real need was filled, the work was well organized, thousands of saints and friends participated, and all were deeply touched by the spirit of charity, love and service. My thanks go to all of our wonderful Brazilian brothers and sisters. Well done!"
The activity, under priesthood leadership, with the support of the Church Welfare Services and stake public affairs councils, enjoyed the support of a number of aid entities, private industry, state secretaries of health, and the media. Church Humanitarian Services provided financial assistance, which was used to purchase fabric and other necessary materials for items badly needed by hospitals.
Throughout Brazil there was news coverage of the activities. Major newspapers and television and radio networks were on the scene to report on the workshops and delivery of the items. In Sao Paulo, Globo TV, Rede TV and Cultura TV gave nationwide coverage to the project. And, in other cities, several live reports were made.
This was the fourth Church project in which, during the two weeks prior to the project, Globo TV, the country's largest communications network, announced the event. Many times during prime time the network made a nationwide broadcast of a 30-second commercial spot concerning the Helping Hands program.
In Natal, following coverage of the project, Douglas Magaldi, multi-stake public affairs director, thanked the entire television crew. Gustavo Farache, the station journalism chief answered: "We wish the Church success in all its projects. You can always count on our station."
In Sorocaba, Simone Marqueto, journalism director for SBT TV, commented: "The objective of our team is to demonstrate good examples and give hope to those who have lost faith in solidarity and peace. But, for us to accomplish our mission in society, we need more projects like Helping Hands to encourage us and to make our audience reflect on our commitment to our fellow beings."
In the north of the country, media coverage exceeded the success of previous projects. In Manaus, for example, all television networks, newspapers and several radio stations covered the event for several days. Many times, activities coordinators and priesthood leaders gave live interviews.
On Labor Day, ceremonies were held in hospitals, chapels and gymnasiums. Together, the various stake public affairs councils, hospital directors, health secretaries, mayors and even governors participated in the formalities.
Deliveries in Recife were attended by Elder Robert Steuer of the Seventy, president of the Brazil North Area and his second counselor, Elder Pedro Penha, Area Seventy. Wearing the Helping Hands program vest, Elder Steuer delivered literature and a Church DVD to the director of the hospital. Elder Penha enthusiastically stated: "Today, we had the opportunity to feel the true gospel in action. As we pool our efforts, we feel brotherly love and this unity strengthens the kingdom of God."
In Santa Barbara d'Oeste, interior of Sao Paulo, a state where 60 hospitals were aided, Mayor Jose Maria de Araujo was present at the delivery and thanked all those who worked so faithfully as volunteers. David Kuceki, president of the Americana Stake, was enthusiastic about the results attained: "Serving is our duty. Taking comfort and relief to those in need is our purpose."
President Givaldo do Nascimento, president of Santos Stake, mobilized volunteers and organized large workshops in the city. He personally dedicated and donated hours of service to his neighbors. When asked about this by A Tribuna, a major regional newspaper, he responded: "I derive great satisfaction from participating in this work; it's true that we get home all tired out but we feel the satisfaction of having made others happier and more comfortable."
This project is of great worth to Esmeralucia Palhano, director of nursing at the Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital, the largest in the city of Fortaleza, treating 50,000 cases per month, including about a thousand surgeries: "People don't generally realize it, but these items of clothing make an enormous difference in our day-to-day activities," she said.
According to her, at least four sets of bed clothing are needed for each bed, since this material has such a short life cycle. "We use strong chemicals to sterilize them," said the director.
In Recife, George Teles, director of Restauracao Hospital, was happy to see the activity. His hospital admits 800 people where 700 surgeries are performed, 12,000 out-patients are treated, along with 12,000 emergencies each month. Donning a Helping Hands vest, he sang and laughed with the volunteers during the final get-together. Afterwards, he declared: "We give thanks for any help we get, since we always work beyond our patient capacity. Now we will have some breathing room in terms of bed clothing changes."
In an interview with a major newspaper Correio da Bahia, Nubia Souza e Silva, administrator of Sao Lucas Hospital, in Salvador, commented on the scarcity of available resources: "Priority for the use of funds is always restricted to the acquisition of medications, hospital equipment and employee salaries. Bed sheets are always last on the list."
In Santos, a coastal city in the State of Sao Paulo, V?nia Maria Cavalcanti do Nascimento, a volunteer on the project, commented: "I've been in public hospitals before and I know what it's like to be without the materials we are sewing. I know the real value of this aid."
In Sao Jose, State of Santa Catarina, the project was a great success. In addition to donations, Church members gave a series of presentations to children at a city school regarding voluntary service and helping their fellow men.
Being developed in Brazil since 2001, the Helping Hands program has already benefited millions of people and entities throughout the country. On April 21 and October 12, 2005, for example, 130 public schools were refurbished, with the participation of more than 50,000 volunteers. More than 15,000 elderly people were helped by nearly 40,000 volunteers, among them, 25,000 children. Each year, hundreds of these activities are carried out in every corner of Brazil. Today, the Brazilian program serves as a model for the entire world and is spreading to countries of North America, Europe and Asia and to Latin American neighbors. At this time, all the stakes in Brazil are preparing for October 12, when the next project, "Little Helping Hands for the City" will be undertaken.
Additional information available at www.maosqueajudam.org.br
