Nauruan in Nauru

Introduction / History

Nauruan refers to the people who live on the Pacific Island of Nauru. They have their own language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

A desalination plant purifies the drinking water. Almost all food is imported by ship, so they eat locally caught fish and coconut. Rice is a staple food, and fish is their primary source of protein.

Phosphate revenues provide a significant portion of their income, and unemployment rates are high. The average income is $14,000/year, but there are also the very rich and the very poor. The very rich have offshore investments. They once had a welfare state, which is no longer the case. Nauru Trust Funds provide income for those whose families once owned land.

Women play a significant role in Nauruan society. Families are matrilineal. Bonds between siblings are strong. Women play a substantial role in Nauruan families and society. They are entering the workforce, which might cause significant changes in the decades to come. Yet, women are rarely elected to public office.

Their extended kinship network facilitates childrearing. They have elementary schools in every village. High schools are run by the government, except for one Catholic school. A small number go to New Zealand for advanced education.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Roman Catholicism and Protestantism arrived on the island in the 1800s. Almost every one of them adheres to one of these two religions.

What Are Their Needs?

Deaths by drunk driving are common on Nauru Island. Good public transportation might help them overcome this. They are 150 miles from the nearest island. Except a few locally-grown foods, they must import most everything by ship. This is expensive.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide entrepreneurs who can help Nauruans expand their economy.
Pray for revival fire to come to Nauruan families and churches.
Pray for them to become a mission force in East Asia.
Pray for more hospitals on Nauru Island.

Text Source:   Joshua Project