King Benjamin Project News

January 2008

Missionaries Assisted in 2007
We provided clothing to 19 missionaries from 6 different provinces. We are already aware of 4 or 5 young men who will be leaving in the first few months of 2008.

Donations Received in 2007
In 2007, the program received cash donations of roughly $1350 to cover shipping costs; and donations in kind of new clothing of over $5000. Three individuals delivered clothing to Argentina in 2007, and one Eagle Scout project collected clothing for the program.

December 2007
In October we were notified of a donation of new clothing for the program. It was an early Christmas for us as we picked up the 60 new white shirts, several suits, 6 pair of pants and some suitcases for the program. We appreciate so much the generosity of this men’s clothier and the anonymous donors who provided us with these items.

February 2007
Boy Scout Nick Harrison conducted a missionary clothing drive for his Eagle project in the 5 stakes in Rexburg, Idaho. We congratulate him on a very successful Eagle project, and are grateful that he has agreed to hand this clothing over to the King Benjamin Clothing Program for distribution in Argentina. Thanks also go to Karen Sare and her mother, who delivered two suitcases of clothing to our coordinators in San Juan.

We can also report that we now have a 'coordinator' in the province of "Santiago del Estero". He has identified three prospective missionaries there, and will be sent clothing for these individuals. We now funcion to some degree in 7 of the 23 provinces in Argentina.

January 2007
Stories from San Juan of those receiving missionary clothing. Also, the King Benjamin project received an anonymous donation of 100 new white shirts. We are so thankful for the efforts of these individuals.

December 2006

Summary of Humanitarian Efforts in 2006 (pdf)

March 2006

The King Benjamin Project receives a donation of missionary clothing through a clothing drive sponsored by HaleStorm Entertainment and New Harmony Pictures, filmmakers for "Suits on the Loose", together with Mr. Mac , a well-established, state-wide suits and apparel company.

December 2005

Summary of Humanitarian Efforts in 2005 (pdf 12 k)

December 2004

Summary of Humanitarian Efforts in 2004 (pdf 7k)

February 2003
First humanitarian expedition to San Juan. Thor Lindstrom spent two weeks evaluating the past efforts of the project; and evaluating current and future humanitarian outreach and micro-enterprise projects.

Humanitarian Outreach

• Solar Cookers
• Greenhouses
• Flour Mill
• Missionary Clothing

Micro-Enterprise (background)

• Bakery
• Rabbit Production
• Clothing Construction

August 10, 2002

$163 was sent to Antonio Ripoll for items to improve their setup for soybean processing and pasta making in the Chimbas Ward. With that the following were purchased.

• A portable burner
• A propane tank
• Propane and the necessary fittings

July 1, 2002 (b)

$91 sent to Antonio Ripoll, Bishop of the Chimbas Ward, SJ Chimbas Stake. With that the following were purchased:

• A food processor for processing soybeans
• A blood pressure tester
• A noodle-pasta maker

Two Relief Society sisters and two priesthood holders come to the Ripoll home 4 days weekly to either process soybeans and make pasta for themselves and other needy members.

July 1, 2002

$385 sent to Osvaldo Zanni of the Retiro Ward, San Juan Chimbas Stake. With these funds a flour mill and electric motor were purchased. As of September 2002 the mill had been installed in the stake center. The bishops are coordinating use of the mill. And in September 2002 the Stake heard from the Area Presidency that grains or funds for them will be sent to the stake.

May 7, 2002

We are progressing with the vegetable garden (in which several seasonal crops have been planted; along with grass for rabbits and a cow). We are realizing the worth these animals will have in regards to preparedness.
If you would like to support (our efforts)..., perhaps you could do so with a flour mill. President Romeu mentioned that we should buy one.

July 3, 2000

Yesterday the Relief Society and Priesthood met in the Retiro Ward, and decided that we will begin to implement the King Benjamin plan in the Retiro Ward tomorrow.

Today brothers and sisters of the Retiro ward met, and a short training session was held relative to the use of soybeans in our diets. Those who attended had the chance to see how the soybeans are prepared, and later on had the chance to sample the finished product. There was a lot of enthusiasm, and tomorrow we will prepare more of the meat substitute products for distribution among ward families by Aaronic Priesthood holders. The High Priest Group and Elders Quorum decided to visit families in the ward and help them in preparing their own home gardens.

June 26, 2000

There are two branches of the Church located in the city of Caucete, some 30 kilometers from San Juan: the Huarpes branch (named after one of the precolombian aboriginal tribes that once inhabited the area, and the Caucete branch. Pres. Argentino Sosa of the Caucete branch has decided to apply the King Benjamin plan in his branch. Both branches have members experiencing shortages of resources and many are unemployed. Pres. Sosa mentioned that the members of the two branches will be working jointly on the project.

On Monday the 26th, they began to cultivate a garden on the property of one of the branch members; and they will also be planting gardens in the yards of other branch members. Pres. Sosa has been in touch with INTA who will offer instruction on nutrition and gardening at the branch.

The members of the Caucete branch are very excited about this project, they feel that they are doing what they can. As they develop new nutritional habits and learn new gardening techniques, self-sufficiency will develop, and they will feel more confident and be happier.

June 17, 2000

Today we had a nutrition seminar, utilizing meals enriched with soybean; and bread enriched with vegetables.

I had the opportunity to sample the bread, along with the various soybean products, and to drink soy milk flavored with apple and other fruits.

Everything was very good. When I spoke with the sisters and explained to them the potential impact of the plan, many tears were shed and the spirit was strong.

The sisters are well aware of the plan and what we can accomplish. This is only one aspect of the plan, the mothers provinding healthy meals to their children. Even if only one mother were to do so, it would make all our efforts worthwhile, and I'll give thanks to my Heavenly Father.