Church’s ‘Light the World’ Initiative Delivers Comfort to Newborns and Mothers

As an effort to share Jesus Christ’s love and light this Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 500 newborn kits to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center on December 17, 2025, and to Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital on December 18, 2025, in support of newborns, their mothers, and their families.

The initiative, part of the global Light the World campaign, was borne out of the volunteer efforts of Beehive Clothing Philippines. Aiming to emulate the Savior’s life by sharing light and warmth, the project provided essential supplies to mothers and their infants.

A Labor of Love

The project was spearheaded by Elder George Kenneth Lee, an Area Seventy and plant manager of Beehive Clothing Philippines. Under his leadership, more than 40 sewing operators from the facility volunteered their time after work hours to hand-sew infant caps, mittens, clothes, pajamas, booties, and blankets.

“We thought that this coming Christmas, we would always celebrate Christmas with very happy moments, but we felt that maybe we could extend those happy moments to people who need these items,” Elder Lee shared. To complete the kits, he coordinated with Elder and Sister Webb, humanitarian missionaries of the Church, who secured additional funding through the Church’s humanitarian department, made possible by donations from members worldwide.

In addition to the hand-sewn items, the kits were stocked with essential medical and hygiene supplies, including diapers, milk bags, alcohol, and feeding tubes, based on a needs assessment conducted in both hospitals.

Bringing Hope to Mothers

During the turnover ceremony, Church representatives and medical staff visited the newborn service wards to personally deliver the kits to the mothers.

Gabriely Sampang, one of the recipients, expressed her gratitude for the timely gift. “We are so happy because instead of having to buy these things, they were provided for us. They even customized the clothes according to the gender of our baby,” she said. “This kit is very helpful because it has everything we need.”

Dr. Kiara Natalie Roble, a fellow-in-training at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center Neonatology Division, emphasized the impact of such donations on the hospital’s patients. “Any little donation is a big help. We care for the sickest babies, and treatment is not cheap. A little donation goes a long way for these mothers,” she noted.

Dr. Mary Christine Tumale, chief neonatologist at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, thanked the Church for the donation and expressed how it aligns with the hospital’s mission.

“Our mission and vision are to provide competent and compassionate care for all our babies and newborns,” Dr. Tumale said. “Since this is the season celebrating the birth of Christ, when baby Jesus was born, we should give competent care and love to our babies through these gifts.”

The turnover ceremony at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center was also attended by hospital executives and doctors, including Dr. Cecilia O. Gan, executive director; Dr. Charito Corpuz, division head of Neonatology; and physicians Dr. Kiara Natalie Roble and Dr. Ma. Angeli Mercado. They were joined by humanitarian missionaries and employees of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Turnover at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

The second day of the initiative saw a large delegation of Church and hospital leaders gather at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, also known as the National Maternity Hospital of the Philippines.

The donation was formally received by medical professionals led by Dr. Salvador B. Evardone, medical center chief, together with Dr. Melissa Juico, Dr. Estrella J. Olonan-Jusi, Ma. Nancy Guia, Lourdes Mendoza, and Alma Mina Enrile. They were joined by Dr. Mary Christine Alice Tumale, along with physicians Dr. Mary Anne Ilao and Dr. Bolivar, representing various clinical and administrative units of the hospital.

Representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was President Casio, Stake President of Manila Philippines Stake, and Elder Lee, together with humanitarian missionaries and Church employees who supported the initiative.

Serving All of God’s Children

The spirit of the initiative was rooted in the gospel principle of universal love. Elder Webb reflected on the purpose of the donation, stating, “It’s about giving people hope. We want these mothers to know that we represent the Church and our Savior.”

Sister Webb added, “We don’t do things just for Church members. We do things for Heavenly Father’s children. The Church helps everyone. It doesn’t matter who they are, we are helping everybody.”