Every 20 minutes, someone in the Pacific loses a limb to diabetes—but hope is rising. Discover how the 10,000 Toes Campaign, made possible by the 13th Sabbath Offering, is transforming lives and communities across the South Pacific—one toe at a time.
Every 20 minutes, someone in the Pacific loses a limb to diabetes. This silent epidemic has devastated families and communities across the region. But hope is rising. The 10,000 Toes Campaign, an initiative of the South Pacific Division Health Department, is fighting back. Operating in 13 countries, it is powered by more than 11,000 trained ambassadors. It reaches even the most remote communities, delivering life-changing health interventions through mobile clinics by land and sea. And it was made possible thanks to your contribution to the 13th Sabbath Offering!
“Diabetes is a major crisis across the South Pacific. Every single day, eight people in the Solomons die from non-communicable diseases. And the most important cause of that is related to the complications of diabetes.”
Burns Creek, a suburb of the capital city, Honiara, tells a powerful story of transformation. Burns Creek was once infamous for riots, fires, and hostility due to ethnic tensions in the late 90s and early 2000s—an area visitors feared to enter. But the 10,000 Toes Campaign brought change. By addressing the community’s basic needs for health, lifestyle, and spiritual growth, the program opened doors to healing and hope, leaving a profound impact.
“The 10,000 toes campaign has been a powerful entering wedge into places, communities that have always been very resistant to us as the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And today, Bible studies are happening as a result of the program. And so the police commissioner in town comes to this church and says, ‘hey, what did you do? Can we learn from you? And can we replicate what is happening in Burns Creek community with other communities that have the same problems?’”
At its core, the 10,000 Toes Campaign is about empowering people to live healthier lives through health screenings, lifestyle education, and training ambassadors. By addressing physical health, the program opens hearts to spiritual transformation, introducing people to Jesus and His message of hope.
“When I first went through this program, it really impacted my life, especially my health. Before, I weighed 84 kilograms. After following the program, I reduced my weight by 10 kilograms.”
“I am so happy that the 10,000 Toes became integrated with the community programs. And it is helping the people to know their health status. And at the same time, God is in the program, and they are promoting God in changing the lives of the people.”
Burns Creek has transformed into a thriving community where healthy food choices, lifestyle changes, and Christian values are embraced. Churches have been established, and the change is evident in the way people interact—with kindness, warmth, and a renewed sense of unity.
“Today, when you pass by, you can see people saying hello. That is a big story. When people come to you and say hello, that is not what they were doing before. . That is an Impact!”
This transformation wouldn’t be possible without your support.
“Please pray for the 10,000 toes campaign, not only in the Solomons but across the Pacific, because this program is right across the Pacific right now.”
Thanks to your generous 13th Sabbath Offerings in 2019, the 10,000 Toes Campaign is bringing hope, service, and salvation to communities like Burns Creek. Together, we can save lives—one toe at a time.
