PHILANTHROPY
TOGETHER WE ARE CHANGING THE MAP OF THE WORLD
FREE From Landmines FREE to Live
An immense part of Marta's personality is in philanthropy. Since 2006, Marta has been involved with the removal of abandoned landmines in war-torn countries. For six years she served as a Board Member and Marketing Coordinator of Freedom Fields USA (FFUSA), an all woman Carmel-based organization dedicated to the removal of landmines through its partnership with HALO Trust, the world's leading humanitarian landmine clearance organization.
From the beginning of her successful real estate career, Marta donated a percentage of income to landmine clearance. "Every time I sell a house I save lives." became Marta's motto. Marta's personal contributions and fundraising efforts have helped to remove over 2,000 landmines, potentially saving thousands of lives. Marta made several trips to Cambodia where she witnessed both the deadly devastation that the landmines create as well as the changed lives that have benefited from demining works; the safe cultivation of fertile land that will provide food and income for rural families for years to come.
Besides landmine clearance projects, Marta's personal donations have built schools, safe housing, constructed a new bridge, and produced an educational life-saving film about landmine safety that reached tens of thousands of children, men and women at risk of injury and death.
Her philanthropic work has been nationally recognized. She was the recipient of the prestigious humanitarian "National Good Neighbor Award" (see awards) and her charitable accomplishments have been featured in articles (see articles) and media (see videos).
WHY LANDMINES?
There are millions of abandoned landmines, often called "hidden killers" across approximately 80 countries as a result of past war conflicts. Landmines and other explosive remnants of war kill or injure thousands of people each year. Most of the victims are civilians, with one third being children. There are also economic casualties with lost livestock and farmland unsafe for use. Areas that are cleared and free from landmines save lives and reclaims land for productive use. We provide safe land to build schools, roads, and farms, dramatically improving the quality of everyday life for thousands of people.
OTHER PROJECTS
Marta was involved in saving AIDS orphans at the Segera Mission, located in a remote area 40 miles from Mount Kenya in Northern Central Kenya (Africa), where she has personally visited the progress. During the hurricane Katrina relief effort, Marta was an onsite volunteer for the Red Cross assisting victims. Strongly believing in creating opportunity for young people across the country, Marta is also an advocate of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
By conducting public presentations, Marta successfully advocates her causes and many of her clients have become supporters. To learn more about these worthy causes, and how you can help, please visit the following websites:
www.halotrust.org, www.SegeraMission.org, www.redcross.org, www.bgca.org