Missionaries Help South Pacific Primary Schools 

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Elder Isaac Stratford and Elder James Ericson, full-time missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Auckland, recently helped load containers of books bound for primary schools in the Pacific Islands.  

The storage containers will be taken to schools in Pacific Island nations, providing more children with reading opportunities. The project aims to lift literacy levels among young people.  

Elder Stratford said, “I love the feeling of serving. I have learned that when I serve anyone, I serve God. Service is a testimony to me of a loving Saviour.” 

Elder Ericson added, “When I serve others, I gain genuine love for them. It is inspiring to see my talents and abilities being used to help others, and that is part of what God intended for us to do in life. By serving others I have increased my faith in Jesus Christ, and I have increased my understanding of the love He feels for us all.” 

Scholastic NZ originated this humanitarian project and is working with Pacific Assist and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church will provide funds for the reading books container shipment to schools throughout the South Pacific. 

Callum Blair of Pacific Assist, said, “Throughout the year Pacific Assist and Scholastic NZ accumulate books that are surplus to their requirements and are destined for destruction unless they can be placed outside of their market area. This is where we come in. As part of our FFS (Furniture for Schools) programme, we can distribute these books to the Pacific Islands.” 

Blair continued, “We enlist the goodwill and help of full-time missionaries to help load the containers.” 

This collaboration started after Scholastic NZ learned of the Church of Jesus Christ’s humanitarian work in the South Pacific and subsequently invited representatives from Pacific Assist and the Church to their warehouse. 

A mutually beneficial relationship emerged where Scholastic donated their books that were surplus to their requirements and Pacific Assist and the Church could deliver them to under-resourced schools throughout the South Pacific. 

This is an ongoing collaboration that has had a significant impact on educational opportunities for youth in several Pacific nations.