¹¹ The need for more Kingdom Halls in certain lands is emphasized in the 1997 Yearbook. For example, mention is made of Ukraine, where 47 Kingdom Halls have been built thus far and construction of another 56 is under way. The need in such countries is very evident. The report states: “Many more Kingdom Halls are needed in Russia. The increase in the number of Witnesses there is very rapid, but about 85 percent of the congregations under the Russia branch do not have permanent meeting places. In Zimbabwe, where there are some 800 congregations, it has been necessary for many of these to meet out in the open. This has caused some newly interested ones to hold back from attending.” Similar situations exist in other countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

¹ There is an ongoing need for Kingdom Hall construction worldwide. During just the last service year, 3,288 new congregations were formed. Many of these congregations are in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe.

² Previous issues of Our Kingdom Ministry have reported on the progress of Kingdom Hall construction in a number of lands. Still, reports show that one country with 568 congregations has just one Kingdom Hall. Another country has one Kingdom Hall for every 129 congregations. Another has a ratio of one for 41 congregations. Several other countries, with a total of over 1,000 congregations, have not yet been able to construct even one Kingdom Hall. This is because of economic problems. While much work has been done, there continues to be a need. We feel sure that the congregations in the United States would like to assist many of these congregations in other countries to have suitable Kingdom Halls.