The effects of the tsunami in terms of loss of life were tragically amplified because so many local people are unable to swim.
Trauma relief and learning to swim
A great response to this disaster has come from a recently-formed project called Swim Lanka, the brainchild of Sri Lankan Olympic swimming competitor and multiple Asian Games medal winner Julian Bolling. With some friends in Colombo he has created this project that has twin aims: to help children overcome their trauma and fear of water and to teach them how to swim. A longer-term aim is to get swimming included in the national curriculum.
How the system works
Five metre fiberglass pools are built and then installed on safe locations near the sea. Local teachers are selected and trained at Julian’s Colombo swimming academy (Rainbow Academy). Affected children in the local area are then taken into the pool over a number of weeks to help them get over their fear of water and ease the often serious trauma that they associate with water. They are also taught basic swimming techniques. Having reached a certain level they are given a certificate as testimony to their achievement.
FoS as local partner
To help enable this to happen, Swim Lanka – who are responsible for overall coordination, building of pools and staff selection and training – need on-the-ground partners to enable them to carry out their work in different areas. The ultimate aim is to take the project round the whole coast of Sri Lanka.
Progress to date
Having started with four pools in the Tangalle area, Swim Lanka are now partnering with Friends of the South to start work in the Galle area. To date one of four FoS commissioned pools are up and running. This is in Talpe. 96 children are enrolled in classes there. Two further pools will be opened in the devastated town of Katugoda over the next few days, and a fourth at Unawatuna soon after. The aim is to spread the project along the coast from Galle in both directions as far as is feasible.
How funds are spent
Funds go towards construction of the 5x3x1m pools, salaries for teachers and supervisors, other materials such as pool pumps, fencing where necessary and transport and construction costs.
Please visit the official Swim Lanka website at www.swimlanka.lk to learn more about this excellent initiative.
Funds allocated
As at 30/6/2006 we have allocated Rs1.2m (approx US$12,000) to Swim Lanka.
