I AM WATER Ocean Conservation Foundation Diaspora Fund

I AM WATER Ocean Conversation Foundation an ocean conservation nonprofit founded in South Africa in 2010, with a mission to increase safe, meaningful access to the ocean for youth from the most vulnerable coastal communities, and to foster lifelong ocean-positive habits that will launch a global movement for connection, protection, and sustainable enjoyment of the ocean.

Since its inception, I AM WATER has worked on a simple but powerful belief: people protect what they love — and for many children living near the sea, especially in under-resourced communities, that love cannot grow without safe access, guidance, and opportunity. I AM WATER’s work combines ocean education, water safety, mindfulness, and immersive marine experiences to build confidence, emotional resilience, and ocean stewardship in young people.

To date, I AM WATER has trained 160 youth facilitators and delivered immersive ocean connection workshops to 53,325+ children and adolescents through its school outreach programmes and hands-on workshops. The organisation’s approach is grounded in a structured Ocean Connection Methodology refined over more than a decade, and its impact has been evaluated in partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW).

While I AM WATER’s Cape Town hub remains the heart of its grassroots delivery, the organisation is also focused on scaling globally through its OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance (OFAA) — a train-the-trainer model launched in 2022 that equips grassroots organisations to independently deliver locally adapted Ocean Connection Workshops in their own regions.

In Ecuador and the Galápagos, Ecuador Cohort 1 has already demonstrated the strength of this scaling model. In under a year, partner organisations have collectively trained 53 additional local coaches, delivered 77 Ocean Connection Workshops, reached 1,095 child beneficiaries, engaged 1,360 community participants, and removed 1,495.65 kg of marine debris through 116 community activations. This work supports community-led stewardship while strengthening voluntary compliance with marine protected-area regulations and building resilience in climate-vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

Today, I AM WATER continues delivering its flagship workshops in South Africa, while strengthening its global network through training, mentorship, equipment support, and evaluation systems that allow grassroots partners to expand impact without losing quality or safety. Its programmes contribute to key UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).