I Am Water Ocean Conservation Foundation

Programs: Various programs that occur in south africa where the foundation grants money to a south african entity (i am water trust) to help run these programs and their operating costs, youth workshop programs and fundraisers. Our main goal is to get people in the ocean so they can experience it first hand. Through our workshops with underprivileged coastal communities we aim to inspire an appreciation for the ocean wilderness as we help youth overcome deep cultural fears of the ocean. By introducing youth to their oceans in a healthy and safe manner we are able to combine a conservation message as we work to develop the people as well. Conservation and human development are inextricably linked. Our youth workshops' goal is to give youth a starting point with which to connect with their ocean wilderness so they can then take care of it. We also take high level influencers on fundraising trips around the world for a week of ocean conservation discussions and large marine animal encounters. The funds from these events go directly to supporting the youth workshops. Finally as a conservation organization we work to give the scientific community a voice into underprivileged communities. We work with professors and academics in the marine sciences to help communicate the most relevant and up to date information about the state of our oceans and challenges facing local and global ecosystems. We have partnered with mission blue and dr. Sylvia earle along with aquariums around the world and multiple media outlets to help amplify the message of the scientific community.