LDS Humanitarian Aid to Storm-Stricken Cambodia and Laos

In early November, 2009, the senior couple in Laos, Elder Gary and Sister Joy Fountaine from Veyo, Utah, organized and carried out a project to take 25 tons of rice to a flooded area near the southern city of Pakse, Laos. That district was hard hit twice this year by serious floods, making it impossible for residents to plant their rice crops.

In Cambodia, Elder Lowell and Sister Cheryl Curtis from Riverton, Utah, organized a similar project, transporting 40 tons of rice to the Sandan District in northern Cambodia, providing almost 800 families with a 100-pound bag of rice. The Sandan District was hit by the same storm system that devastated Laos, destroying its residents’ ability to plant crops of rice for the year.

Each recipient sat next to the bag of rice they were to receive. Loading their gifts onto their bicycles, they carried home the only rice they were likely to have for the coming year.  The provisions were purchased with Church humanitarian donations, and the senior missionary couples faithfully saw to their distribution, blessing the lives of many people. //