Over 150 Samoans Join 10,000 Toes Health Project to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases

On the 21st of February, the Samoa & Tokelau Mission (STM) launched the 10,000 Toes Health Project, an initiative aimed at combating the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region. 151 participants from 48 churches across the STM Upolu Region attended the training held at the Lalovaea Youth Hall of the SDA Headquarters.

The two-day training, organized by Trans Pacific Union Health Coordinator Mr. George Kwong and STM Health Director Mr. Afamasaga Ben Tofilau, focused on educating church members in each church's Health Ministry about healthy eating and NCD prevention strategies. Participants also learned how to use a Healthy Kit to monitor and identify community members who are at low, medium, or high risk of NCD and start counseling on how to prevent or advise them to see a doctor for treatment if they are at high risk.

Mr. George Kwong, also the 10,000 Toes Regional Ambassador initiated the event and ran health training seminars concluding with each church receiving a free health kit containing equipment for health screening.

In his remarks, Samoa & Tokelau Mission Secretary Pr. Neru Nuuialii was grateful to the SPD & TPU for initiating the event and the 10,000 Toes Health Project. He described it as an eye-opener and a powerful tool to expand the gospel message in the islands of Samoa. He shared that "NCDs are silent killers, and our people are dying daily without knowing the severe impact on their health and the decline of their full capacity to perform and strengthen their faith."

Pr. Neru also expressed his appreciation to the local Health Director Mr. Afamasaga Toleafoa Ben Tofilau for organizing the church members' participation in the event. In addition, he revealed that his church in Tiapapata has decided to avoid serving meat and chicken at their church meal functions, which began last Sabbath on March 26, 2023.

The launch of the 10,000 Toes Health Project marks a significant step in the STM's efforts to combat NCDs and promote healthy living in the region.