Why am I in Kiribati?

Why am I here ?

A common question I am asked about my journey to Kiribati is 'why?'

So, if that is a question you’ve been asking, you’re not alone.

To be honest, it's a question I ask myself too on some days. Or on rather a lot of days in truth.

So why?

Let me start with the straightforward explanation of what am I doing here in Kiribati, which Aristotle would call the 'efficient' explanation.

I’m here as a volunteer working as an 'office manager mentor' for Te Toa Matoa, a local NGO (non-goverment organisation) that is run by and for people with disabilities in Kiribati.

Now you're asking by what basis do I claim to know anything about office management?

Pirates of the Pacific

The In-Country Manager for the volunteer program has proposed that I go to North Tarawa for a day as a part of my ICOP (In-Country Orientation Program).

Sounds great, an adventure.

Be ready for a pickup and departure at 4h30 the following morning he tells me.

Why so early?

We are going in a boat from South Tarawa (running east-west) across the lagoon to the middle of North Tarawa (running north-south). Arrivals and departures at low tides mean long walks from and to the shore.

Fair enough. So next morning, I’m awake at 4h00, pack a wide-bream hat, sunscreen and some water and toilet paper in a bag. Another volunteer let me know that it is wise to always travel with toilet paper in Kiribati. There may not be any in a toilet when you need it.

By 4h30, I’m standing in the darkness of the dirt-parking lot of my hotel awaiting the arrival of the In Country Manager.

I wait.

Kiribati - a drop in the Pacific

Going west on South Tarawa - ocean side to the left, lagoon side to the right

In November 2022, I dropped into South Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands group within the nation of Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) for a six to 12 months stay.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1350215

So where in the world is that?