Tag Archives: International Volunteer Day

U.S. Scientology Volunteer Ministers in the Spotlight When a New Documentary Premiered on International Volunteer Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The UN's theme for this year's World Volunteer Day was 'the power of collective action.' And nowhere was that message exemplified more than the collective action of Scientology Volunteer Ministers everywhere in their response to the pandemic.

Volunteer Ministers gathered at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles and at Scientology Churches throughout the country for the U.S. premiere of the new documentary, Operation: Do Something About It. And when the curtain went up, these men and women in their bright yellow jackets found themselves in the starring role.

Operation: Do Something About It was released on World Volunteer Day in the U.S. and throughout the rest of the world on the following day. So U.S. Volunteer Ministers were the first to see the extraordinary impact of their collective action.

The film chronicles the global response of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers during the pandemic. It details the help extended to communities, other religions and essential services across six continents.

Scientology Churches invited their neighbors, friends and fellow volunteers they work with on various community initiatives.

After watching the film, a 28-year LAPD veteran expressed her appreciation for "how genuine the Church's help is for others."

A drug education activist who partners with the Church through its Truth About Drugs initiative was not aware of the Volunteer Ministers program before watching the film. "I was so impressed with what your Volunteer Ministers do around the world and what coordination you had in place for your logistics and all your actions during the pandemic."

The work of Scientology Churches around the world to educate their communities on how to stay well was what really impressed an ally who works with the Church on its human rights awareness initiative. "I can see how much help it provided to the different communities and areas where it was distributed."

"Without people like you helping, I don't know where we'd be," said a teacher who uses the Church's human rights materials. "The spirit of it is huge and how you helped all religions-it's all about humanity."

"It made me feel there is hope for humanity," said another attendee. "It was a very eye-opening documentary."

In a lecture in 1958, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard spoke of the philosophy that informs the Volunteer Ministers program and so many other aspects of Scientology: "Scientology helps people to help one another. This is the message of all prophets in all ages. Help one another. It is a formula for life that cannot fail. It is the message of Scientology."

Watch Operation: Do Something About It on the Scientology Network, airing on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Since launching with an introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in March 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

The UN's theme for this year's World Volunteer Day was 'the power of collective action.' And nowhere was that message exemplified more than the collective action of Scientology Volunteer Ministers everywhere in their response to the pandemic.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Documentary on the Church of Scientology Response to the Pandemic Proves No Matter How Grave the Situation, Something Can be Done About It

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Scientology Churches across the country invited the community to join them for the premiere of Operation: Something Can Be Done About It. The feature-length documentary produced by Scientology Media Productions aired on International Volunteer Day, December 5. The film documents the response of the Church of Scientology to the Covid pandemic, not only to help parishioners and staff but to reach out indiscriminately on an unparalleled scale across the globe to ensure the safety of every sector of society. A sampling of feedback shows the impact of the film.

"What they did for our police department during Covid was hands down an absolute blessing," said a police officer the Church helped with sanitization. "In a time of complete panic and fear, they stepped up with help.... I am proud to have worked alongside every member."

"You did not let your volunteers or staff sit there but you gave them a way to do something and told them, 'OK, let's go. We are doing this,'" said a neighbor.

Referring to the Church's initiative to provide essential information on how to stay well and prevent the spread of the virus, a human rights leader and author said, "It was very enlightening the way the documentary showed how you educate those who don't know, especially in impoverished areas. You teach people where they don't know. You empower people."

The pandemic had an indelible effect on the entire generation who lived through it. Many have not yet recovered. So, in many ways, the message that "Something can be done about it" is as important now as it was over the past three years.

"What stands out to me the most is how everyone got together and helped people," said a woman who volunteers with a Christian program that helps at-risk youth.

"We are all about humanity," said a teacher who attended the premiere. "So, it was very inspiring. The community is still recovering. Without people like you helping, I don't know where we'd be."

In a lecture in 1958, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard spoke of the philosophy that informs this and so many other aspects of Scientology: "Scientology helps people to help one another. This is the message of all prophets in all ages. Help one another. It is a formula for life that cannot fail. It is the message of Scientology."

Watch Operation: Something Can Be Done About It on the Scientology Network, airing on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM, AT&T U-verse and streaming at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Since launching with an introduction by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in March 2018, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

https://www.scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias/#vm-documentary

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

https://www.scientology.org/2023-celebrating-the-ias/#vm-documentary

Scientology Churches across the country invited the community to join them for the premiere of Operation: Something Can Be Done About It. The feature-length documentary produced by Scientology Media Productions aired on International Volunteer Day, December 5. The film documents the response of the Church of Scientology to the Covid pandemic, not only to help parishioners and staff but to reach out indiscriminately on an unparalleled scale across the globe to ensure the safety of every sector of society. A sampling of feedback shows the impact of the film.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

A Story of Hope, Help and Humanity Airs for the First Time on the Scientology Network on International Volunteer Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- While most of the world went "on pause" during the pandemic, Mother Nature certainly did not-nor did the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a religious social service founded in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Volunteer Ministers answered the global call at every cataclysmic natural disaster, demonstrating unconditional courage and compassion time after time.

Operation: Do Something About It is a new feature-length documentary, premiering on the Scientology Network on International Volunteer Day, December 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The documentary chronicles the global response from the Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers during the pandemic. It details the help extended to communities, religions and essential services across six continents.

A Scientology Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

Watch Operation: Do Something About It live on Tuesday, December 5 at 8 p.m. ET PT on the Scientology Network, or on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV stream, AT&T U-verse, AppleTV, Roku, fireTV or on mobile apps.

Since launching on March 12, 2018, with six original series and more than 70 hours of programming, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology and Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization, and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

MULTIMEDIA:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

VIDEO:

https://www.scientology.tv/documentaries/operation-do-something-about-it.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6sxsSt2Srg

While most of the world went "on pause" during the pandemic, Mother Nature certainly did not-nor did the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a religious social service founded in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Help and Empowerment: The Scientology Volunteer Ministers of South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa /ScoopCloud/ -- The winds of change are blowing through South Africa, with thousands trained as Volunteer Ministers through the Scientology Tools for Life courses. They are applying these tools and reaching out with help in greater and greater numbers. On International Volunteer Day, we honor these volunteers as a living example of positive change through volunteerism.

At a recent ceremony at Kyalami Castle in Midrand, South Africa, 700 educators completed the Scientology Tools for Life courses. Sandile Hlayisi, chairperson of the South African Scientology Volunteer Ministers, who conducted these training sessions, spoke to the graduates about the new skills they have gained and that they now have the potential of fulfilling the mandate of the late Nelson Mandela. "Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom."

His views were echoed by graduates.

"They have equipped us with the tools to be councilors for our people," said Rev. Phampha William Ramodike, a deputy principal from Limpopo. "They have given us the tools to get our kids off drugs. They have given us the tools to solve conflicts, mend marriages and restore hope to our country. All of us in this auditorium are now capable of great deeds and we will achieve them by applying what we learned."

A community development leader from the City of Tshwane said, "I am so proud to be part of this program. It has really impacted me and my way of operating."

A senior executive from Family Tree Holdings, a black-owned and managed investment holdings company, spoke of the profound change this program had on her outlook. "It taught me to be selfless and do all I can to help society because it is the right thing to do."

But the value of any tool is in its use. And this is demonstrated by the successful application by graduates of the Volunteer Ministers program.

At Makgongoana s

The winds of change are blowing through South Africa, with thousands trained as Volunteer Ministers through the Scientology Tools for Life courses. They are applying these tools and reaching out with help in greater and greater numbers. On International Volunteer Day, we honor these volunteers as a living example of positive change through volunteerism.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Honoring a Scientology Volunteer Minister Who is Changing the Face of Uganda

WANGA PARISH, Uganda /ScoopCloud/ -- International Volunteer Day December 5 was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate positive change through volunteerism. And a stellar example of the change a team of volunteers can achieve is the work of the Volunteer Ministers of Wanga Parish, Uganda, says the Church of Scientology International.

Martin Wamatsu had a dream: to transform Wanga Parish, the village of his birth, from a community struggling in poverty to one that is self-sustaining and providing a decent future for all who live there.

When he was introduced to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers' Tools for Life Courses online, he realized this was the technology he needed to turn his dream into reality. Understanding the basics of communication, organization and planning, he now knew how to set goals and accomplish them. Wamatsu and his family returned to the village, met with village elders, and gained their agreement to carry out a series of programs to achieve this goal.

Wamatsu reached out to a Scientologist over the internet who was as excited about his ideas and plans as he was, and she took on raising funds for the project.

As a school principal, one of Wamatsu's first projects was to provide a future for 70 destitute village orphans. He and his team opened an orphanage, and these children are now all in school. The children now have the energy to learn and take part in orphanage projects. And once the children harvest their first crop of sweet potatoes and rice, the orphanage will be self-sustaining.

Another 25 destitute village children have received the same kind of help and have joined their orphaned friends in school. Funds are nearly in place for the remaining 45 village children to also join them at the school, which will accomplish one of Wamatsu's goals: universal education for all village children.

During the 84-week COVID lockdown in Uganda, most people had to resort to eating their seeds to survive. With the help of his online patron, Wamatsu has now seen to the purchase of seeds, and the village has planted 15 acres of rice, and fields of sweet potatoes and cassava. Once these harvests are gathered, they will have enough to feed the village, plant for the next season and sell or trade produce to nearby villages.

The village and six other villages nearby now have pure, clean drinking water. And they are raising funds to open a medical clinic with a nurse who is also a trained Scientology Volunteer Minister.

Wamatsu has trained his entire village and the leaders of 24 nearby villages on the Scientology Tools for Life. And they used these tools to organize themselves to work as a team to accomplish targets. They are well on their way to making Wanga a sustainable village that can serve as a model where nearby leaders can gain practical experience and return to their villages to create a sustainable region and beyond.

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. It constitutes one of the world's largest independent relief forces. Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, calling on Scientologists to use what they know to redouble their efforts to aid their fellow man, has inspired tremendous growth in the Volunteer Ministers movement.

A Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

Their motto is no matter the circumstances, "Something can be done about it."

For more information on the technology used by the Volunteer Minister, watch films on the Scientology Tools for Life on the Scientology Network at DIRECTV 320 or at https://www.scientology.tv/.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/nGRWeCFOtI8

International Volunteer Day December 5 was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate positive change through volunteerism. And a stellar example of the change a team of volunteers can achieve is the work of the Volunteer Ministers of Wanga Parish, Uganda, says the Church of Scientology International.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/