Our Ocean School: Making Waves in Our First 10 Months

A Dream Becomes a School in the Mentawai Islands

Date

March 6, 2026

Author

oos

Photo

© Our Ocean School.

Share

In 2024, a powerful idea turned into reality in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. Our Ocean School opened its doors with a mission to provide free English education and life skills training for local students in Tuapejat, Mentawai Islands. In many remote island communities, access to high-quality English education is extremely limited. Yet English is one of the most important skills for young people hoping to participate in tourism, hospitality, guiding, and international business. Recognising this opportunity, Our Ocean School was founded to help Mentawai students build confidence, communication skills, and future career pathways.

 

Education That Creates Opportunity

 

The Mentawai Islands are globally known for world-class surfing and growing tourism. However, many young people in the region have limited access to the language skills needed to participate in this industry. Our Ocean School was created to help bridge that gap. The school focuses on:

 

  • practical English communication
  • confidence building
  • real-world conversation skills
  • leadership and life skills

 

From the very first day of classes, students arrived eager to learn. What began as a small classroom quickly became a place filled with curiosity, laughter, and growing confidence. This was just the beginning.

October 2024

 

In just 10 months since opening its doors, Our Ocean School has proudly made a meaningful impact on our community in the Mentawai Islands by providing free English education to over 250 students, with 90% of them gaining access to English for the first time. In a region where schools rarely offer English programs, Our Ocean School is bridging the gap, opening up new opportunities for students to build skills that will serve them well into the future.

 

Our school has been a hub of cross-cultural exchange, welcoming over 70 western volunteers of all ages who’ve come from around the world to join our classrooms and help students practice English. This engagement goes beyond language skills—our students are growing in confidence as they learn to express themselves in English, a vital skill for those who may one day work in the tourism industry. With 75% of our student body being female and balanced representation of both Muslim and Christian students, we’re proud to foster an inclusive and diverse environment that reflects the spirit of our community.

 

Our Ocean School’s journey has only begun, but our students’ enthusiasm and progress affirm the importance of accessible education. With continued support, we look forward to expanding our reach, empowering even more local students, and building a brighter future for the Mentawai Islands.

© Our Ocean School 2024.
By Janiece Walker

Get involved in our missions and
give impacts

Connect with us