Ilisapeci was sick for seven years. She suffered from swollen hands and legs, and even spent some time recovering in the intensive care unit.

But her health was transformed when she attended a lifestyle program run by Adventists. She made changes that had an almost immediate effect. Her symptoms were gone within a few weeks. For the first time in a while, her hands and legs were no longer swollen. Now, she is an advocate who helps others on their health journeys.

Diabetes is the leading cause of death in the Pacific region and the rate of diabetes deaths in the Pacific region is one of the highest in the world. The Pacific islands are known for their fertile land, nutritious fruits and vegetables, as well as their traditional knowledge and practice of planting and preparing food. Yet lifestyle diseases have increased at an alarming rate. If not detected and treated early, diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and disabilities.

Through partnership with communities and a wholistic approach, the 10,000 Toes campaign is helping people turn the tide on diabetes in the South Pacific! Thanks in part to your contribution to the 13th Sabbath Offering in 2019 that helped propel this initiative.

“The 10,000 Toes campaign is an exciting initiative of Adventist Health in the South Pacific Division that trains ambassadors to go and deliver a whole-person health to not just those who live in the city, but also expanding into new territories and remote villages through its fleet of mobile wellness hubs.”

This campaign is currently working in multiple countries, including the Solomon Islands.

“As a church that's involved in health as an important part of its mission, we are very happy that we can use the 10,000 Toes strategy to connect with the communities, and so the 10,000 Toes strategy is an important part of our mission work.”

We had great work, breakthrough places that we were not able to [reach in the past] …the 10,000 Toes strategy. That's very important to us in the Solomons. Thank you for 13th Sabbath Offering support.

The program has a three part strategy focus. First, to detect diabetes through health screenings. Second, resourcing lifestyle coaches so that churches and village halls become wellness hubs in the communities. And third, enhancing the capacity of health professionals in lifestyle medicine.

Many people have been so impacted by their experience, that they want to become ambassadors and help others. Despite having willing participants, the pandemic has slowed training in some areas.

“So far in the Solomons, our health department has recruited around 900 ambassadors. Over the last two years, we have been able to train only about 150. We need to continue with the training so that our ambassadors can go to the villages and do the screening and bring the data to us so that we can plan what we can do to help educate and also enable the people to be able to have more ability to look after themselves.”

Ambassadors in Fiji took to the streets in one of the busiest suburbs. With the approval of a major supermarket, they set up outside to interact with customers and staff.

Many were intrigued with the health screening results. These ambassadors have been well trained, and are prepared to follow up with each person with a plan of action.

“The campaign dreams of turning the tide on diabetes and taking people on a journey to whole person health, by having 10,000 ambassadors working in 400 wellness hubs across the South Pacific by the end of 2025. With the help of donations from the 13th Sabbath mission offering, we've been able to progress wider and deeper. For this we want to express our deep gratitude to the General Conference and the worldwide church.”

While there is still much to do, the 10,000 Toes campaign continues to transform lives throughout the South Pacific. Please pray that more hearts will be touched as a result of the compassion shown by the Adventist Church. Thank you for supporting 13th Sabbath Offering projects like this. Your contributions make a difference.