June 12th, Trip to Zacapa IMPROVING OUR HEMISPHERE AND HUMANITY THROUGH COMBINED EFFORTS closing ceremonies

IMPROVING OUR HEMISPHERE AND HUMANITY THROUGH COMBINED EFFORTS

Through the combined efforts of the humanitarian services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the United States Army and Navy and the Guatemalan, Honduras, Columbia and Chilean armed forces, three schools were built.  Two were in Zacapa and one in Chiquimula, Guatemala.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Humanitarian division sponsored the funds for all new desks and chairs, teachers’ desks and book cabinets.

The closing ceremony for completion of Schools and medical clinics were held on June 12, 2014 at Camp Zacapa, the facility of the Armed forces of Zacapa, Guatemala. Along with the Humanitarian Missionaries Elder and Sister Bingham, those in attendance were US Army and Navy soldiers and their officers, Christopher A. Cruz, Commander US Navy, NGO/PVO Branch Chief, J-9 Partnering Directorate for the United States Southern Command for the Americas and SFC Carlo Ungo Martinez Team Sergeant for Civil Affairs Team Guatemala and Sargent Cruz of US Army.  Local community leaders and children of the schools were also in attendance.

The Humanitarian Missionaries, Elder and Sister Bingham were instrumental in connecting the church sponsorship for furniture and furnishings for all three schools were mentioned and appreciated.

 The Governor of Zacapa, Carolina Orellana and Military high ranking officers from both the United States and Guatemala spoke of their appreciation for all those who partnered in “Improving our Hemisphere and Humanity” through their combined efforts. Governor Orellana expressed her appreciation, “This project and those like it improves the possibility of people helping people. To help strengthen the relationship of soldiers, community and religious organization and civilians to improve engineering skills, field craft, administration of combined armed forces for 20,000 people of multi nationales. “Governor Orellana thanked all those who participated which included the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   United States Brigadier General Salinas said “The combined efforts of government armed forces, community and religious organizations with projects for the good of humanity prove that ´Together we Can´.”

 Governer of Zacapa Carolina Orellana and Generals and officers involved in the building of new schools and medical facilities

US Army, Navy and Guatemalan Army troops at attention for the closing ceremonies

 School Children that benefited from the new schools built

 Old worn desks that were replaced through the sponsorship of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

New Desks

 Troops and teachers by side of school class rooms

 US Army and Navy officers at the new school

 Elder Bingham and School administrator in newly furnished classroom

 Elder Bingham and Navy Commander Christopher A. Cruz

 School rooms from afar

Teachers and administrators at the new furnished desks

 Service troops and administrator over school project

Elder and Sister Bingham inspecting new school

 Elder and Sister Bingham, Elder and Sister Burningham, Administrator over Medical Clinic, 

Christopher A. Cruz, Commander US Navy, NGO/PVO Branch Chief, J-9 Partnering Directorate for the United States Southern Command for the Americas and SFC Carlo Ungo Martinez Team Sergeant for Civil Affairs Team Guatemala and Sargent Cruz of US Army

 Camp Zacapa

Artillary and troops getting ready for formation