Our Ocean School: Making Waves in Our First 10 Months

Expanding Education Opportunities in the Mentawai Islands

Date

March 6, 2026

Author

oos

Photo

© Our Ocean School.

As Our Ocean School has grown, so has the demand for classes.

More students want to join the program than the school can currently accommodate.

This growing interest has inspired the next phase of development for the school campus in Tuapejat.

Plans for a Sustainable Education Hub

Future development plans include:

a larger school building to welcome more students
volunteer accommodation to host international teachers
a community café social enterprise

The café will help generate sustainable income to support the school’s programs while also providing students with real-world hospitality training opportunities.

Students will gain experience in:

customer service
communication with international visitors
workplace confidence
small business skills

This model allows education and local opportunity to grow together.

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.