A wave of youth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dressed in yellow “Mormon Helping Hands” vests, carrying rubbish bags, flooded an Avatiu roadside as they pitched in to serve their community recently.
Approximately 70 kilograms of waste ― including recyclables and general rubbish ― were collected by the youth along the Avatiu Stream Waterway from the bridge to the ocean outlet.
The service project, part of a Mormon Helping Hands “youth in action” activity, had the support of local community leaders and the National Environment Service.
Latter-day Saint youth adviser, John Mateara, told the Cook Islands News, “We are overjoyed to have some of our youth participate in this worthwhile activity. We encourage our young people to be active in looking after the environment and the community in which they live, especially in rendering service where help is needed.”
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Service to others is an important characteristic of the followers of Jesus Christ. “Mormon Helping Hands” is a Church program to provide community service and disaster relief to those in need. It provides organised opportunities for Church members to give their time and talents to bless those in need. It also gives members the opportunity to beautify city streets, parks, schools, and recreational areas and to serve in other ways.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a worldwide membership of over 15 million people. The Cook Islands is home to five Mormon congregations.