2.4亿棵树. 1,000 mothers and babies. How two 西雅图 Pacific alumni are restoring trees, 健康, and hope 在马达加斯加

Most of the news coming from Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the hardest hit by climate change, 不太好. 2020年1月, the island country off the east coast of Africa experienced deadly heavy flooding; for decades the island has been devastated by deforestation and overharvesting; and several animal species exclusive to the area are facing extinction. 

But two 西雅图 Pacific University alumni are working tirelessly to bring reforestation, 健康, and hope to the island.

One of the largest reforestation projects in the world is happening 在马达加斯加, led by Jamie Shattenberg, a 1999 SPU biology major. Born and raised as a missionary kid 在马达加斯加, Jamie is the international director for NGO Eden Reforestation Projects 在马达加斯加. To date the project has planted move than 2.4亿棵树 and employs more than 1,200 men and women working on large-scale restoration work in the devastated ecosystems on the island.

艾莉萨, a licensed midwife and family nurse practitioner, founded the Sarobidy Center to help address the lack of trained doctors and midwives resulting in a high rate of Malagasy women who die in childbirth (an estimated 1 in 45.) The free-of-charge comprehensive prenatal clinic offers 健康 and childbirth education, 实验室检测, 超声, and medications and vitamins. To date, more than 1,000 women and babies have received care at the center.

The Shattenbergs founded Red Island Restoration with the goals of bringing 健康 and healing to impoverished areas of Madagascar and supporting Malagasy leaders. Their ministry supports reforestation (in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects), 健康 care for pregnant women and their babies, and a partnership with local Malagasy women to sell handmade crafts online.

The Shattenbergs are the 西雅图 Pacific University 2020 校友 of the Year, and will be recognized at this year's 校友 Awards Dinner 2020年2月8日.

Posted: Monday, February 10, 2020