Swimming For Safety

Why swimming?

In Hue and the surrounding provinces flooding is extremely common, yet it is common for both adults and children to be unable to swim. By providing free swimming lessons for the most disadvantaged children - who are also those most likely to be living in precarious housing in flood prone areas - we can help limit the human cost of extreme weather conditions.

In 2007, Hue Help carried out a survey of the orphanages in Hue. We found that around 95% of the the children could not swim. Children living in this sort of environment, where supervision is usually substantially less than in a family environment, are placed at great risk during times of flooding. Our program teachers children in these risk areas basic swimming skills, but also rescue and prevention skills.

Aside from the risk that children face if they cannot swim our program provides the children with a great chance to exercise, meet a lot of other children, and gives them another activity during their summer holiday period.

The program is currently open to all orphanages in Hue city, and runs for six weeks during the summer holidays. The programme has run three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

How much does it cost?
Our Swimming for Safety program in 2008 cost £750. The cost of the swimming tuition to orphans was subsidised by one third by the local swimming pools.

Project reports

Download the report of the 2008 program here!

Download the report of the 2007 program here!

For the future...
We are currently working on expanding the Swimming for Safety programme into rural areas with local partners, with an aim to begin a pilot in 2011. A programme outline will be posted here once it is confirmed by our board.