School and water safety for South African kids

Swimming lessons started at Philippi Children's Centre with a bang.

Craig, our patient and well-loved swimming coach introduced the children to the pool.  The children have never experienced swimming lessons before and were brimming with anticipation.

Craig said, "I am following a programme specifically aimed at the children's needs by starting with basic water safety e.g. blowing bubbles, speedboats, monkey crawls on the pool walls, jumping into the pool and returning to the wall of the pool.  Once each child is water safe, strokes and techniques will be introduced."

Craig has years of experience as a lifeguard having worked for the City of Cape Town saving lives.  As a learn to swim coach from the community, the opportunity for Craig is indescribable as Headstart Swim School will be training him to manage the swimming academy, from scheduling lessons, teaching adults and children, maintaining the facility, liaising with parents and reporting on the progress of the children.

Jane, Secretary of the Managment Committee of Philippi Children's Centre expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the committee. The children, she said, are "wild with excitement. As you can see from the attached photos, the pool is sparkling.  The building is immaculate.  Craig is a miracle of patience.  The children really enjoy themselves and gain in confidence by the minute. To use a good old South African expression, the pool and swimming programme are “awesome.”

The Love to Langa Swimming Academy is the first of its kind in South Africa. There are many swimming schools but our academy will truly be making a difference.

Phase 1
-  Build a swimming academy in a township.

Phase 2
-  Have a reputable swim school run the swimming academy by employing and mentoring a swim coach who resides in the community to manage the facility. Develop and mentor the coach and other future swim coaches.

Phase 3
-  After three years of development, Headstart will hand the management of the Love to Langa Swimming Academy to the community only on the condition that there has been sufficient training and the academy is sustainable.

This is a case study and project of Love to Langa and Global Impact Social Advisory.