President Johnson and President Cordon Visit Africa

The General Presidents of the Relief Society and Young Women organizations went to eastern and central Africa in March to meet with Latter-day Saints and government leaders and to visit humanitarian sites. Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon began their nine-day ministry tour in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Cordon traveled to Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo. “We’ve talked to the leaders of the governments that have had a desire to help families, and we have been so impressed with the leaders who want to follow Jesus Christ,” said President Cordon. “As faith-based leaders, we share a common goal to help build families, so it has been remarkable.”

President Johnson traveled to northeastern Uganda with UNICEF (originally United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, now United Nations Children’s Fund) and met with Latter-day Saints in Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “This is an effort to go beyond our members to address the needs—the humanitarian needs—of the world’s children, and we found them. It was glorious,” said President Johnson of the trip with UNICEF. “It was heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time, but I left there feeling hopeful.”