Be a part of the love!
Your skills, supplies, or support can make a lasting difference.
Oceans of Gratitude is the first-ever I-Kiribati/US joint nonprofit organization — fully registered and sanctioned as a 501(c)(3) in the United States, yet deeply rooted in partnership with local communities on the islands of the Republic of Kiribati. We work hand-in-hand with I-Kiribati leaders, families, and residents to ensure local ownership, buy-in, and leadership of every program we support.
For decades, these remote Pacific atolls — among the world's most legendary fly fishing destinations — have welcomed thousands of anglers each year. Local guides, cooks, hosts, and families have opened their homes, shared their extraordinary home waters, offered warm hospitality, and created life-changing experiences for visitors from around the globe. Now, through Oceans of Gratitude, we turn that generosity full circle: providing organized opportunities for doctors, nurses, volunteers, and donors to give back by bridging critical healthcare and educational support gaps in these communities.
Whether through hands-on direct care missions, material donations (supplies, equipment), or financial contributions, Oceans of Gratitude offers meaningful ways for passionate people to get involved — honoring the incredible people of Kiribati who call these islands home.
Oceans of Gratitude exists because gratitude deserves a place to go - turning goodwill into action!
What we do
We organize direct care mission teams to travel to these islands with essential medical supplies and expertise, delivering direct, compassionate care — from primary health clinics and preventive services to health education workshops tailored to local needs. The approach is grounded in reciprocity, cultural respect, and efficacy: bypassing bureaucracy, working with local partners help shape priorities, guide implementation, and create long-term impact. Volunteers experience the islands' breathtaking beauty and world-class fishing not as a perk, but as a grateful immersion in the same waters and hospitality that have been generously shared with us for so long.
The Need
Kiribati carries one of the heaviest disease burdens in the Pacific region, paired with some of the lowest access to basic healthcare. Non-communicable diseases have risen sharply as diets have shifted from traditional foods to imported, processed staples — nearly 4 in 10 adults now live with hypertension, and roughly 1 in 6 with diabetes, with rates among older women even higher. Kiribati also has some of the highest rates of tuberculosis and leprosy in the world, along with periodic outbreaks of dengue and other infectious disease.
For outer-island communities like Kiritimati and Fanning Island, these challenges are compounded by extreme geographic isolation. Most specialized care is concentrated on South Tarawa, hundreds of miles away — meaning routine screenings, chronic disease management, and even basic emergency care can require a journey many families simply can't make. The result is a cycle where preventable and manageable conditions too often go untreated.
How you can help
Whether through hands-on direct care missions, material donations (supplies, equipment), or financial contributions, Oceans of Gratitude offers meaningful ways for passionate people to get involved — honoring the incredible people of Kiribati who call these islands home.
