SOLOMON STAR ARTICLE 7- CHURCHES UNITE TO FACELIFT FAUABU CLINIC

We got home Sunday evening at dark and started to write our article on the Humanitarian Project at the Fauabu Clinic.  Monday we delivered it to the Solomon Star and Tuesday we were elated to see our article fill the entire page.


Volunteer Workers Repairing Fauabu Outpatient Clinic



Volunteers Wearing Mormon Helping Hands Vests Paint Fauabu Outpatient Clinic

 

Father Michael Irotoa and his Constance, Elder and Sister Mitchell and Nurses, celebrating the completion of the Fauabu area Health Centre  



Churches unite to facelift Fauabu clinic

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in partnership with Father Michael Irotoa’s Anglican congregation, rebuilt the Outpatient care building at the Fauabu, Malaita Medical Clinic last week.   The 40 year old building was in serious need of repair and renovation. 

Father Michael and Peter Rimou, President of the Fauabu Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked closely together to obtain approval for the project from the Anglican Diocese of Malaita.

The materials were provided by the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  These materials included, lumber, fibro, doors, screening, heavy wire mesh, light fixtures, louver glass, shelves, desks, chairs, benches and paint for inside, outside and iron roofing.

Labor for the project was supplied by members of the Anglican and LDS congregations in Fauabu working together.  Sixty people worked side by side for 2 weeks as the cleaning and renovation progressed.  As news of the work spread, citizens from the area stopped at the clinic to observe and comment on the transformation.

The volunteer crew accomplished much each day as they worked tirelessly, giving freely of their time and talents.  Freeman Misitana, Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the Solomon Islands District, provided direct supervision for the work.  Elder and Sister Mitchell, LDS senior missionaries who are serving in the Solomon Islands for two years, provided technical advice and expertise for the project.  Elder Mitchell is a retired Home Builder from the United States.

Saturday morning, as the work neared completion, Father Michael hosted a closing celebration for the outpatient renovation.  Everyone enjoyed the program as the Gwa’adoe Panpipers performed for the entertainment of the 200 people gathered for the occasion.  Father Michael and his congregation provided light refreshments for the guests. 

Humanitarian projects of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints primarily help those in need who are not members of the Church.  These humanitarian programs are funded by donations from Church members and others.  One-hundred percent of these donations go directly to help the poor and needy. 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints humanitarian projects relieve suffering for families of all nationalities and religions and offer hope with the potential for a better life for millions of people around the world.  Help is given for emergency response, clean water, neonatal resuscitation training, vision care, wheelchairs, food production, immunizations and many other critical humanitarian needs throughout the world.  

The Savior taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40

This Humanitarian partnership between the Anglican Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has shown that much can be accomplished when Churches unite and work together for the good of the entire community.  Many friendships were been formed as members of both congregations worked side by side on this project.  Each has come to know, respect, and appreciate the other as brothers and sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ.