Hygiene Service Project

LDS Charities has approved a project that will produce 1,000 hygiene kits for the Roma children in Slovakia and Hungary.

We are grateful the European Regional YSA Conference has partnered with LDS Charities to assemble these hygiene kits. Conference attendees have been asked to donate hygiene kits items as a way to give to those less fortunate. The single adults came from several countries, Poland, Czech, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Germany, and Romania. The single adults joined together assembling the kits as a service project workshop. It was wonderful to see so many volunteers working together in a group effort.

Anzhelika, a young Polish female shared being involved with the project was an amazing feeling. She said, "Behind every kit is some story and there is some huge hopes." She feels there are two sides to this project, to be more grateful for what she has and to provide simple things for people who really need it. She believes it can strengthen our faith, help us to serve, and it can bless other people's lives.

Tomás, a 21 year old, Hungarian admitted he didn't come for the spiritual side of the conference but rather the social interaction. He knew he could help others by being himself. While he was putting together the kits he said he had a vision of the image of the woman who touched Christ's garment and Jesus felt something leave him. (Mark 5:27-34) He imagined himself like that situation. Tomás said, "I am really grateful I can help people who are less fortunate. By these kind acts that are really meaningful they draw me closer to the Savior and to God."

The Hygiene kits will support children striving to improve their hygiene habits. Items like soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and tissues can be used by children at home. Teaching children new habits not practiced at home will be difficult, but it is the best hope for their future. What is taught now may help better hygiene habits and improve health.

The opportunity to provide hygiene kits is a small help in the tough world of Roma communities. Seeing their living conditions is sad and depressing as most never get ahead in life and live in poverty through adulthood. We have learned many teenagers drop out of school because they believe no jobs are available to them. Living in a ghetto environment is like a “disease” that can be difficult to escape. We can reach out with a little help to improve children’s health and hygiene.

Deuteronomy 15:11, "Open your hand wide to thy brother, to the poor, and to thy needy in the land."