Marlene, along with her son Ben, are serving in South Africa in the Masholozi community with the Sawubona Project Education Centre. Sawubona serves a vulnerable population through interactive Life Skills programs offered to youth and young adults facilitated by local leaders. Life Skills modules offer topics such as leadership, self-esteem, gender equity and HIV.

Her desire is to help each participant recognize they are created in the image of God while encouraging students to embrace their intrinsic value and become Godly leaders, helping bring change to their own communities.