What animals live in Nauru?

Nauru is a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, so its animal life is mostly connected to the sea and sky. Seabirds like frigatebirds and noddies nest on the island, and the waters around Nauru are full of colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. Because Nauru is so small and far from other landmasses, it doesn't have many land animals — no large mammals, no snakes, and very few insects compared to bigger islands. The ocean is really Nauru's wild kingdom, and fishermen there have relied on its tuna, skipjack, and other fish for generations. It's a reminder of how God designs each place with just what its people need.

What do kids eat in Nauru?

Kids in Nauru eat a lot of fish, since the island sits right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and fishing is a big part of life there. Rice and coconut are also everyday staples — coconut shows up in all kinds of dishes, from drinks to sauces to snacks. Because Nauru is a small island, many foods like canned goods, bread, and chicken are brought in by ship from other countries. That means the local diet is a mix of traditional Pacific Island foods and imported packaged foods. Herman and Rusty think it would be something to try fresh fish caught right from that bright blue ocean!

How do people say hello in Nauru?

In Nauru, people speak a language called Nauruan, and the word for hello is 'Ekamawir.' It is pronounced something like 'eh-kah-MAH-weer.' Nauru is a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, and Nauruan is one of the few languages spoken only on one small island in the whole world. Many Nauruans also speak English, since the island was once governed by other countries that used English. So if you ever met someone from Nauru, you could greet them in Nauruan or English and they would likely understand both. Herman and Rusty think it is worth learning even one word in another person's language — it shows them you care about who they are.

What sports or games do kids play in Nauru?

Nauru is a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean — so small you could drive around the whole country in about 20 minutes! Kids there love swimming and fishing in the warm blue lagoon, since the ocean is basically right outside the door. Australian rules football is also hugely popular, and Nauruan kids play it with a lot of energy and team spirit. Weightlifting is something Nauru is actually known for on the world stage — the country has sent weightlifters to the Olympics, which is quite a feat for a nation with fewer people than most schools in a big city. Kids also play volleyball and a bit of tennis. Since the island is so close-knit, games often happen with neighbors and cousins all joining in together, which sounds like a great way to grow up.

What's the weather like in Nauru?

Nauru sits right near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, so it is hot and humid almost every single day of the year. Temperatures usually stay between 77 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is rarely a cool breeze to give you a break from the heat. Nauru has a wet season from November to February, when heavy tropical rainstorms roll in and dump a lot of rain in a short time. The rest of the year is drier, but the air still feels thick and sticky. Fishermen and sailors who live there learn to read the sky carefully, because storms over the open Pacific can build up fast.

Tell me a fun fact about Nauru.

Nauru is the third-smallest country in the entire world — it's a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, and you could drive around the whole thing in about 20 minutes! It's so small that it has no official capital city, which makes it one of the only countries on Earth like that. Here's something wild: Nauru was once one of the richest places on Earth per person, because the whole island was full of a valuable mineral called phosphate that farmers around the world needed for soil. But when the phosphate ran out, hard times came. Today, most of the people there depend on help from other countries to get by. It's a good reminder that real security doesn't come from minerals in the ground — it comes from knowing God.

What is school like for kids in Nauru?

Nauru is a tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean — so small that the whole country is about the size of a mid-sized town! Kids there go to school in English, which is the official language used for education, even though many families speak Nauruan at home. Classes cover the usual subjects like math, reading, and science, just like you might expect anywhere. Because Nauru is so small, there aren't many schools — just a handful for the whole island. Most kids know each other pretty well! After high school, students who want to go to university often have to travel to another country like Australia or Fiji, since Nauru doesn't have its own university. Herman and Rusty think it's worth praying that children in Nauru would not only learn their lessons but also come to know Jesus, who said He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Who are the unreached people in Nauru?

Nauru is a tiny island nation in the Pacific — it's actually one of the smallest countries in the world, about the size of a small town! Most people there speak Nauruan or English. Even though many Nauruans have heard the name of Jesus through churches on the island, there is a small but real group of people who have not yet trusted Him as Savior: the Chinese community living and working in Nauru. They are largely unreached, meaning most of them have not heard the true gospel in a way that touched their hearts. There are also some people on Nauru who may call themselves Christian by tradition but have never personally put their trust in Jesus — and that matters just as much. Nauru has faced hard times with poverty and few resources, so life can be tough there. The good news is that Jesus can reach anyone on that small island, no matter how far they feel from God. We can pray that Nauruan believers grow bold and that the Chinese community and every family on that island hears the real gospel and believes it.

How can I pray for the people of Nauru?

Nauru is a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean — one of the smallest countries in the world — and God knows every single person who lives there by name. You can pray that the people of Nauru would hear the true gospel clearly and put their trust in Jesus as their only Savior. There are some Christians and churches on Nauru, so pray that they grow strong in God's Word and stay faithful to Jesus. Ask God to raise up Nauruan leaders who will boldly share the gospel with their own people, and pray that children and families across the island would come to know Jesus personally.

What is a holiday or celebration in Nauru?

One of the biggest celebrations in Nauru is Independence Day, which falls on January 31st. That is the day in 1968 when Nauru became its own nation — one of the smallest republics in the whole world! People gather for speeches, music, and community events to mark that moment in their history. Nauruans also celebrate Angam Day on October 26th, and this one has a remarkable story behind it. The word 'angam' means a kind of homecoming or reaching a hopeful number — it marks the times when the Nauruan people, after being severely reduced by disease and hardship, grew back to a population of 1,500. It is a day that reminds the Nauruan people of survival and resilience. As you think about Nauru, you can pray that the people there would find their deepest hope not just in their history, but in Jesus, who offers life that truly lasts.

What language do people speak in Nauru?

Nauru has its own special language called Nauruan — one of the oldest languages in the Pacific Ocean. It's quite different from any European language, with its own sounds and words that Nauruans have spoken for thousands of years. English is also widely used on the island, especially in schools and government. Nauru is a tiny island, about the size of a small city, so it's remarkable that it kept its own language alive for so long. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Nauruan, which means people there can read about Jesus in their heart language — the language they grew up speaking at home. That's a real gift, because hearing God's Word in your own tongue goes straight to the heart.

What's a famous place to visit in Nauru?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most visited spots on Nauru is Anibare Bay, a wide curve of beach on the eastern side of the island. The water is calm and clear, and the bay is one of the most beautiful natural features on this tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Rusty wants to add that Nauru also has an interesting place called Command Ridge, the highest point on the island. During World War II, soldiers from Japan and then the Allied forces both occupied Nauru, and you can still find old guns and equipment up there from that time. It is a quiet reminder that even this small island, only about 8 square miles, has a big history worth knowing.

Nauru — Kids Missions Explorer

Nauru Reed Warbler

This small brown songbird is found nowhere else on Earth except the island of Nauru, making it one of the rarest birds in the Pacific.

Green Sea Turtle

Green sea turtles have swum in the Pacific Ocean for millions of years and can sometimes be spotted near Nauru's coral reefs, where they come to feed.

Coconut Crab

This large land crab, which climbs trees to crack open coconuts, has a rich, slightly sweet meat and is considered a prized dish on the island.

Pandanus Fruit

The pandanus palm produces a starchy, fibrous fruit that Nauruan families have eaten and cooked with for generations, especially in traditional preparations.

Canned Fish and Rice

Because Nauru imports most of its food, canned tuna or mackerel served over white rice has become one of the most common everyday meals on the island.

Nauru

Things you should know about Nauru

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Nauru

Missions in Nauru

Pray for Nauru