Swimming project

In most of South Africa’s slums, being able to swim is not something that can be taken for granted – even many adults cannot swim. Every year, numerous people drown, including many children.

After a series of tragic accidents in our immediate neighbourhood, it became clear to us that we had to take action.

This is how the Learn-to-Swim project came about. Using our own minibus, we take the children from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village to a swimming pool in nearby Gordon’s Bay. There, we work with a swimming school whose instructors teach the children to swim step by step.

First, they help the children overcome their fear of the water, then they instil a love of swimming, and finally the children learn to swim or at least stay afloat safely.

Together with the school, we provide weekly swimming lessons for all four pre-school classes almost all year round (with the exception of a three-month winter break).

At the end of the course, the children receive a certificate and some even a medal. The children’s joy and pride are moving every single time.

This project saves lives – but it also involves high costs. We welcome any support that helps to ensure its long-term continuation.