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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leadership yesterday paid a courtesy call on Vice President Kembo Mohadi where they discussed how the church can assist the vulnerable communities.

The delegation, which was led by a senior prelate from the United Kingdom, Elder Neil Anderson, was comprised of Africa South East Area presidency, Mr Joseph Sitati and Zimbabwe stake president, Mr Phillip Mathemera, among others.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, VP Mohadi said the church, which already has some assemblies locally, was interested in establishing itself in the country and also assisting people in different communities, including youths and the elderly.

“They had come to pay a courtesy call on me and are also interested in establishing themselves firmly in Zimbabwe,” said VP Mohadi. “We also want spiritual support from the people of God.

“We discussed underdeveloped areas, especially in communal areas and they are interested in coming up with programmes to assist people in these areas with boreholes. There are old mothers and grandmothers out there.”

Elder Andersen said the church, which has 79 assemblies locally, was interested in working with the youths and women to improve their skills and improve their life.

“We love Zimbabwe, we have peaceful people who are kind,” he said. “We talked with VP Mohadi about the importance of education in helping our youths to strengthen and learn new skills and also discussed several issues pertaining to health.

“We are also considering assisting the country with pharmaceutical drugs and machinery used in the diagnosis of diseases.”

Mr Sitati said the church was looking forward to strengthening its relationship with Zimbabwe.

“The president of the church was here a few months ago and Zimbabwe was his first international visit, he had announced that a temple will be built in Harare,” he said. “Temples are the most holy places of our church and we have only three, one in Ghana, Nigeria and SA and there is going to be one in Harare.”

Mr Mathemera said the church had been working with Government in different projects such as borehole drilling in urban areas and immunisation of children under five years.

“We have been in Zimbabwe working in different projects,” he said. “We need to focus on the rural areas and I am sure the church will consider that.”