The Cheesman's Humanitarian Project

This is not our usual humanitarian project, but it was certainly one for our memories.  This was organized by Elder Ross and Sister Gail Cheesman who serve as the mission office couple; they are the glue that holds the mission together.  Besides, Sister Gail is the daughter of former North Salt Lake Mayor Jake Simmons; therefore, she is more than wonderful.  A few months ago, Elder Cheesman's sister from California organized their ward to gather school things to send to Richmond Primary School.  A few weeks ago, (Remember when I learned to drive?), we traveled to MoBay to get the container and bring back a mission car.  This was the container we retrieved. (I just had to throw in the ganja sign.)

Today was the delivery day and it was great.  We traveled the narrow roads to Richmond (about mid-island, north of Kingston and a little west); this is a small town nestled in the mountains.  It's always a delight when we arrange to meet someone alongside the road and then follow them to our destination.  We met Principal Davis in Highgate (about 10 minutes away from the school).

 Theron helped a little guy tie his shoe.

When we arrived, we were met by 160+ children, ages 4 to 13.  It was snack time and there were cheese puffs, bag juice, and cookies in children's hands and mouths.  The special "Tuck" shed (snack sales place) was totally surrounded.  We were promptly introduced to all of the teachers, we saw the kitchen storage room that LDS Humanitarian Missionaries Elder and Sister Preece had built for the school along with the new roof on the pre-school room.  Of course, we heard of several more projects that Principal Davis wants to accomplish and who knows, we may be involved.  Our projects start out with these initial visits and then some prayer and research on our part before we commit.

We did not know what was in the container, so we decided to have the teachers help us unpack it and organize the items.  They will be the ones to ultimately use things and distribute them to the children.  Wow, what a treasure was sent -- a set of encyclopedias, a set of Childcraft books, all sorts of children story books, pencils, pens, colored markers, chalk, a laptop computer, and some very beautiful clothes.  There were smiles everywhere.

It was almost lunch time and we had the Principal dismiss all the children so we could take a picture.  Note, Elder Cheesman is out front shepherding (well it's like herding cats sometimes) the organization of the children so we could get a picture.  We love days like this!  To all back home, keep the donations to LDS Humanitarian Services coming.  Our containers should be here shortly and then we will be out and about again.  Love to all!