Let's talk about saving 10,000 Toes

South Pacific nations have the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. As a result of this the United Nations reports that diabetes and other non-communicable diseases are one of the greatest threats to the regions development.

The 10,000 Toes campaign is committed to saving the lives and limbs of those affected. This project will:

Equip every South Pacific village with the skills and tools to conduct community health assessments for the early detection of diabetes. Likewise they can test for other, related chronic diseases.

Train and resource lifestyle coaches to implement programs to prevent, arrest and reverse Type 2 Diabetes in every village.

Finally improve the capacity of health professionals working in health systems across the South Pacific to manage diabetes.

Meet the Team

Pamela Townend
Campaign Coordinator
AUSTRALIA

Pamela has been with the Campaign since its inception in October 2017 and has a passion to see the tide turned on diabetes especially knowing firsthand the impact diabetes can have on families.

Pamela oversees operations in Australia and helps increase awareness while supporting the Lead Ambassadors in the field.

George Kwong, Regional Ambassador, Trans Pacific Regions, Fiji

George Kwong
Regional Ambassador
TRANS PACIFIC / FIJI

Over the years George has studied and worked in the fields of Education, Business & Commerce. He has owned and operated a Wellness and Lifestyle Centre, holds certification as a Lifestyle Coach and is a certified CHIP “Train the Trainer”, to mention just a couple of his achievements in health.

George leads the Fiji rollout and will also be mentoring other Lead Ambassadors across the Trans-Pacific region.

Dr Chester Kuma
Regional Ambassador
SOLOMON ISLANDS

As a former Chief Surgeon from the Solomon Islands, Dr Kuma got sick and tired of seeing his people die from Type 2 Diabetes so decided to do something about it. Together with Pamela & Paul, the 10,000 Toes Campaign was created and now he is helping stamp out diabetes in a new way throughout the Solomon Islands. Dr Kuma is passionate about helping others and this is evident in the work he is doing rolling out the Campaign.

Zachary Lipen
Lead Ambassador
PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Zachary grew up in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province but currently lives in Lae, PNG. He has a number of qualifications behind him including: nursing officer (Sopas grad), Diploma in Theology from Sonoma, BA Theology PAU and a Master in Public Health Promotion and Nutrition from AIIAS.

Zachary will co-ordinate his team of Lead Ambassadors across Papua New Guinea for the 10,000 Toes Campaign.

Mary-Clare Ame Ravula
Assistant Regional Ambassador
FIJI

Mary-Clare is a Papua New Guinean who lives and works in Fiji. Over the years, she has studied and worked in Information Management, Archives, and Libraries as a lecturer, consultant, and manager in various organisations and institutions, locally and overseas. All these skills and knowledge she gained are now used to drive The 10,000 Toes Campaign forward as she works as the Assistant Regional Ambassador in Suva, Fiji. Mary-Clare knows firsthand the devastating impact diabetes can have on families.

Jona Maivusa Nawaqavou
Lead Ambassador
FIJI

Jona is married with two children and seven beautiful grandchildren. During his working life, he served in active service with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, travelling the world serving his country until he retired as a commissioned senior officer in 2019. Soon after his retirement, he became involved in The 10,000 Toes Campaign as an Ambassador and now has stepped into the role of Lead Ambassador for Fiji.

Jona brings a wealth of experience with him and desires to be an example to friends, families, and veterans by sharing his health knowledge so that people enjoy their life as much as possible.

Lekon Tagavi
Lead Ambassador
VANUATU

Lekon Tagavi is our Lead Ambassador for Vanuatu and wants to be an agent for change. She strongly desires to live a healthy lifestyle herself so she can model it to everyone around her and, in doing so, empower others to make healthy lifestyle changes.

In 2023, she joined The 10,000 Toes Campaign after working for seven years with the Ministry of Health in its malaria program. She brings extensive experience and skills to her role as Lead Ambassador.

Lekon is passionate about helping the people of Vanuatu understand, practice, and experience the incredible journey into optimal health.

Gad Koito
Lead Ambassador
SOLOMON ISLANDS

Recently leaving PNG, Gad has returned to his home country of the Solomon Islands, and with his team will be rolling out the 10,000 Toes strategy. His passion in life is promoting “Lifestyle as Medicine” and is a big promoter of CHIP; the Complete Health Improvement Program.

Jolene Vaipula
Lead Ambassador
TONGA

Aelie Kapotelline Jolene Finau Vaipulu is our Lead Ambassador in Tonga, where she was born and raised. Following her Bachelor of Nursing training at Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea, she returned to the beautiful kingdom of Tonga to work as a registered nurse.

During her time as an Ambassador, she has seen remarkable changes in the lives of people coming to the Wellness Centre where she works. They currently provide advocacy and simple health teachings, and she wants to see more practical lifestyle intervention training occur so that non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, will decrease rapidly. Jolene strongly believes this can happen by building a solid 10,000 Toes Ambassador team, which she is working towards.

Teera Katarake
Lead Ambassador
KIRIBATI

After 16 years of working as a qualified nurse for the Ministry of Health, Teera now puts her skills to work at the Tarawa Wellness Centre, Kiribati.

Lifestyle choices in eating and drinking are causing many problems for the people of Kiribati and Teera is looking forward to making a difference through the rollout of this Campaign.

John Ryan
Lead Ambassador
SAMOA

Papalii John Ryan is our new Lead Ambassador for the 10,000 Toes Campaign in Samoa. John is passionate about sharing the benefits of changing to a healthier lifestyle, as he has experienced them firsthand. John used to suffer from gout, and facing a lifetime of medication and pain, he finally turned to a lifestyle health plan, which eliminated his gout symptoms and improved his health in general.

With the growing incidences of NCDs in Samoa, John believes it is vital that we share the benefits of the 10,000 Toes Campaign as the first line of defence. He is excited to make a positive impact in Samoa with us, helping save as many “TOES” as possible.

Lead Ambassador Ipuniuesea Eliapo-Unutoa

Ipuniuesea Eliapo-Unutoa
Lead Ambassador
AMERICAN SAMOA

Ipu knows all about diabetes, hypertension and other NCDs having worked for the past 20 years for the Department of Health in America Samoa. Ipu obtained her Graduate Degree from Loma Linda University, CA and has a Masters in Occupational Therapy (Allied Health). Currently, she works as Program Director for the Department of Health AS.

Having grown up in an island environment where processed foods have become the primary diet and physical activity is not a priority, it is no surprise that America Samoa leads the way in NCDs. People are suffering and suffering from such a young age. Ipu wants to make a difference and see lives changed and for this reason, joins the 10,000 Toes Campaign.

Meet our Ambassadors as they share their stories

Western Solomon Islands

Dr Paul Rankin
Researcher / Writer
AUSTRALIA

In Loving Memory of Paul Meredith Rankin.

With deep sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Paul Meredith Rankin. Paul, a co-founder of The 10,000 Toes Campaign, played a pivotal role in establishing this initiative through his outstanding research and writing skills.

Find out more here.

Dr Paul Rankin
Researcher / Writer
AUSTRALIA

In Loving Memory of Paul Meredith Rankin.

Find out more here.

Together we can make a difference. But we can’t do it without your help.
Come join the 10,000 toes campaign and help turn the tide on diabetes in the South Pacific.

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Meet the Team

Meet our Ambassadors as they share their stories

Together we can make a difference. But we can’t do it without your help. Come join the 10,000 toes campaign and help turn the tide on diabetes in the South Pacific.

Title

Together we can make a difference. But we can’t do it without your help.
Come join the 10,000 toes campaign and help turn the tide on diabetes in the South Pacific.