Welcome to the first of our “Follow the footsteps of…” series.
“My name is Mary-Clare Ame Ravula, and my son is Garry Ravula. I am from Papua New Guinea and Garry is part Fijian. We are both 10,000 Toes Ambassadors and have been involved in the 10,000 Toes Campaign since it was launched in Fiji in 2019. In the same year, we lost my husband, 11 months later, my father and early this year my mother and brother. Though we’ve known profound grief, struggle, loss, and defeat within a very short timeframe, we want to turn our adversities into something positive, to use them as a stepping stone to help others… we want to communicate that healing message of “you’re not alone” to others.
We are able to do that because of the 10,000 Toes Campaign. We’ve immersed ourselves in the campaign. It has become a therapy for us, a lifeline… it helped us shift our focus away from self to others. It helped us put aside our own pain and suffering to concentrate on the needs of others, and it motivated us to look beyond our adversities and understand the plight of others. It has helped us pick up the pieces of our lives to rebuild it. Also, through the campaign, we are exposed to programs on the ELIA platform that have a positive impact on our lives. Through our adversities and challenges, our faith in God, family members, friends, and the 10,000 Toes Campaign are helping us navigate our way out of these depths, for which we are so grateful.
Though we have not arrived yet, on the other side of the storm, we know that when we come out of the storm, we’ll be wiser, stronger, and more resilient, thanks to our experiences as 10,000 Toes Ambassadors. As we learn from our profound pain and loss, we will continue to keep growing as 10,000 Toes Ambassadors and continue to focus on the Light, Jesus Christ, through the 10,000 Toes Campaign. Once a 10,000 Toes Ambassador, always an Ambassador. Thank you, 10,000 Toes for your positive influence in our lives.
The 10,000 Toes Campaign is without borders; I am currently in Papua New Guinea (PNG) working with the PNG Union Mission (PNGUM) in rolling out the 10,000 Toes Campaign in PNG. I’m excited, humbled and blessed to be involved with the PNGUM in the 10,000 Toes work in PNG. I’ve been involved in 10,000 Toes training in three different locations to date; many people are thankful for the 10,000 Toes Campaign, even if they hear of it for the first time. Sincere thanks to the sponsors of the campaign. I thank God for this opportunity as I look forward to working with Papua New Guineans in the fight to turn the tide of diabetes in PNG.
The 10,000 Toes Campaign has helped 20-year-old Garry weather his storms in the months following his father’s and family members passing. A committed 10,000 Toes Ambassador, he knows the importance of education and he is looking forward to furthering his studies at the University. Garry has been blessed with the opportunity to do some photography work for 10,000 Toes, thus earning some money towards his university fees. He is excited to contribute to the 10,000 Toes Campaign in this way. Garry encourages young people to “Get Involved – become a 10,000 Toes Ambassador and join the fight to turn the tide of diabetes and NCDs in the Pacific and help save limbs and lives.”
