School and water safety for South African kids

We have many wonderful volunteers visit our programs throughout the year but from time to time, there are extra-special ones. Nada from Canada was one of those visitors. She brought a suitcase-full of brand-new toys and lots of energy to share. 

Nada visited the schools where we sponsor scholarships, our swimming academy and the site for our Montessori School in Langa Township. The below Youtube link is a short video of Nada talking about her experience.

We are so grateful for her participation and desire to stay involved with Love to Langa going forward.

We are very busy making a campaign video and preparing materials for the Montessori School and are excited to share them soon!

Many thanks to The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania for hosting a benefit swim meet for us! Thanks to their efforts, we are able to offer scholarships for 350 additional lessons to the children at our Love to Langa Swimming Academy at Philippi Children's Center in Cape Town, South Africa!

The event, held on Thursday, December 6, featured 42 different races and a super fun rubber ducky toss, where participants attempted to throw a rubber ducky from a balcony into a small bin in the center of the pool.

We are so grateful for the support this meet is providing, especially since far too few children at the school are able to afford the lessons. Please view the attached short link for a personal thank you from Coach Craig at the Love to Langa Swimming Academy.

With our best wishes for the holidays and a happy and healthy 2019,

The Love to Langa Board of Directors

Links:

• Facebook page to view thank you from Coach Craig

I am so glad to have discovered Love to Langa. Love to Langa is a great organization that is passionate in helping the townships of Cape Town. From the teaching children how to swim to providing early childhood education as well as hosting teacher training workshops. Love to Langa has shown the people of South Africa that they are there to support them. We need more organizations like Amy's that not just help the children but the community.  We need more organizations that focus on the community as a whole.  Old African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child."  Well, it takes amazing organization and it's supporters to uplift a community. I believe that's what Love to Langa is doing for the communities of Cape Town. 

Thanks so much for making this essential life skill available to these amazing children. We appreciate your support!

Thank you to the ever-patient Coach Craig for an update on our scholarship swim students. Here is his report.

"All these pupils have a long way to go because they are still very afraid of putting their faces in the water and therefore of blowing bubbles. This is a very important first step in learning to swim. Once they overcome their fear of the water they will really progress well. The noodles are an excellent aid to help them build their confidence in the water. Most of these pupils are happy to jump into the water as long as they have a noodle tied around their bodies. We continue to do fun activities in the water and are working on building their confidence all the time!

Nadine is a very confident girl in the water. She can float on her own on her back. She knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. Her freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke kicks are very good, but she needs to be assisted by a noodle.

Indiphlie is enjoying the water, and does freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke kicks well with the assistance of a noodle. She knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly and she floats on her back happily and confidently.

Sispho is still a bit scared to put her face in the water. She knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. She is still assisted by a noodle and her kicking technique still needs practice, but she is trying hard. She floats confidently on her back.

Jihhaad knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. He is still a bit scared to be in the water but we are working on this. He can do freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke kicks while assisted by a noodle. He floats confidently on his own.

Jaden knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. He needs to work on practicing his kicking as it is weak. He is still scared to float on his back and to put his face in the water.  He is assisted by a noodle at his lessons and we are working to build up his confidence.

Phoebe knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly.  She floats confidently on her back unaided. Her kicking is weak and needs much practice. She is still very fearful and scared to put her face in the water.

Remizane knows how to enter and exit the pool confidently. He floats confidently on his back without aid. His freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke kicking is good with the assistance of a noodle and he is still a bit scared to wet his face.

Morne knows how to exit the pool, but we are working on his safe entry. He is still very scared. We are practicing his freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke kicking with the help of a noodle. He Floats confidently on his back, with the aid of the teacher.

Lunje knows how to enter and exit the pool safely, and is very confident in the water. Her kicking is still assisted by a noodle and she is still scared to wet her face. She floats confidently on her back.

Zion knows how to enter and exit the pool confidently. His kicking is good but needs the aid of a noodle. He floats confidently on his back but is still a bit scared to wet his face.

Zimbonge knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. Her kicking is good but needs to be assisted by a noodle and she is still very scared to put her face in the water. She floats well with the help of the teacher.

Zara knows how to enter and exit the pool confidently. Her kicking is good but needs to be assisted by a noodle. She is still scared to put her face in the water and she floats on her back confidently.

Benjamin knows how to enter and exit the pool safely. He needs a lot of help with his kicking and is still very scared of the water. He floats on his back confidently but with the help of the teacher.

Hope knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. Her kicking is good but needs to be assisted by a noodle. She is very scared to wet her face in the water and floats on her back confidently with a noodle.

Lutho is very confident in the water, and he knows how to enter and exit the pool. He can float on his own unaided for 5 seconds. His kicking for all three strokes is good. He loves being in the water and he listens to and follows instructions. 

Deyana knows how to enter and exit the pool confidently. Her kicking is good but needs to be assisted by a noodle. She is still scared to wet her face in the water and she floats on her back confidently with a noodle.

Aiden knows how to enter and exit the pool safely. He is not scared and loves to be in the water. His kicking is good but needs to be assisted by a noodle. He floats on his back confidently with a noodle.

Roche knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. Her kicking in all three strokes is good but she still needs to be assisted by a noodle. She is still scared to put her face in the water but floats on her back confidently with the help of a noodle.

Amila knows how to enter and exit the pool correctly. His kicking is good for all three strokes with the help of a noodle. He is able to float happily on his back for 5 seconds without a noodle but he is scared to wet his face in the water. He is very eager during lessons."

Thank you for your support in making this essential life skill available to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity!