Tuesday September 4, 2018, Elder Daniel Kitchen, representing LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, presented 6,000 English children’s readers to the Honourable David Collins, Minister of Education, in a handover ceremony.
The minister thanked LDS Charities for their assistance and explained that the English literacy level in Kiribati continues to be low.
“Increasing the number of reading books in the classroom…is one of the Ministry of Education’s interventions for improving English literacy,” he said.
Sister Rebecca Kitchen, who also serves as a humanitarian missionary with her husband Daniel, explained that the books were donated by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, neighbours, family, second hand book stores, and through an Eagle Scout Project in Utah and Nevada, USA.
3,000 kilograms of books were collected, loaded into a container and shipped to Kiribati.
LDS Charities arranged for the shipping to Tarawa and assisted in the handover.
“When students read these books, they will not only improve their English proficiency, but also learn about many important subjects,” said Sister Kitchen.
Elder Kitchen explained that members of the Church donate money, supply donated goods and volunteer their time to humanitarian funds and projects.
“One hundred percent of each donation,” he said, “goes to projects around the globe to help those in need.”
Missionaries such as Elder and Sister Kitchen serve all over the world at their own expense to support the humanitarian efforts of the Church.
When most couples in their age bracket have settled down to enjoy retirement, senior couples such as the Kitchen’s leave the comforts of home, the association of children and grandchildren, and volunteer their time and talents.
Elder Kitchen said, “We are following the example of Jesus Christ who served those in need without any expectation of payment.”
Also In attendance at the handover were Ms. Bwakura Metutera Timeon, Secretary of the Ministry of Education; Reetina Katokita, Planning and Development; Ruta Tekeroi, Director of Education; and representatives from the Ministry of Education.
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