L.D.S. Charities gifts 300 wheelchairs to Government of Samoa

NEWS RELEASE—APIA, 15 JULY, 2022 – A 40-foot container filled with wheelchairs, walking aids and medical supplies has been presented to the Government of Samoa by L.D.S. Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The latest shipment containing 300 wheelchairs, plus walkers, crutches and canes arrives in the eighth year of an ongoing partnership between L.D.S. Charities and the Government of Samoa.

Spare parts kits for the wheelchairs, boxes of face masks, medical gloves and prosthetics kits are included in the container.

Acting Director General of Health Atoa Dr. Glenn Fatupaito received the container of medical equipment and supplies during a handover ceremony held on Friday, 8 July, 2022 in Motootua.

The partnership, Dr. Fatupaito said, is a great help for the residents of Samoa who cannot afford to purchase a wheelchair and other vital walking aids.

The donation allows the government to save a lot on costs of the equipment, the doctor noted.

Dr. Fatupaito thanked The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on behalf of the Government of Samoa and ensured Church representatives that the equipment will be well-monitored and distributed fairly.

The container was presented to the government by Kilapoe Sheppard, Manager of Samoa Welfare and Self-Reliance for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dr. Kapuana Ainu’u, Welfare & Self-Reliance Manager for Samoa and American Samoa ensured that this partnership with the government will continue to help in many other ways to support the country’s health care system.

Dr. Ainuu expressed gratitude to all overseas donors for their continuous support.

Mannix Collins, an official with the Ministry of Health, with the 40-foot container of wheelchairs, walking aids and medical supplies donated to the Government of Samoa by L.D.S. Charities on Friday, 8 July, 2022.

The handover ceremony was facilitated by Apia Samoa Central Stake President Muagututia H. Jason Joseph.

He emphasized the new commandment of our Savior Jesus Christ who commanded His followers “To love one another.”

“If you love one another the world will then know that ye are my disciples,” said President Joseph.

“The pure love of Christ sees no boundary or limit. We have to give and to love so everyone will continue to enjoy life no matter what circumstance they’re in.”

“The Church is doing the best we can to assist the people of Samoa. We would like to support the government and their efforts to improve the lives of the people of Samoa,” President Joseph said.

These efforts, he said, begin with the individual.

“Whenever we see an opportunity to serve our fellow men, a friend, a stranger or whoever needs help, we must lend a helping hand. We must go to the rescue to help anyone who needs help. We must obey the Lord when He commanded us to love one another. We must care for each other through small acts of kindness and love,” President Joseph said.

The need for the assistance is growing every year and L.D.S. Charities, through its partnership with the government, has donated containers of wheelchairs to the Ministry of Health each year since 2014.