Ministry of Health statistics state that 10 children drown every day in Vietnam, where it is the leading cause of injury related death among children over the age of one.
The Tribob Hoi An Children's Swimming Program was initiated in 2008 in Hoi An, Central Vietnam. This is a simple program which gives children basic swimming skills and other water safety skills which could help save their lives. Since the inception of the program 700 children between the ages of 9-15 have been successfully taught to swim. The lessons have been extremely well received by the children, their parents, the schools and the wider community.
Our aim for 2010 is to significantly increase the number of children taught in Hoi An. We are also teaching 20 of the local PE teachers as swim teachers as there is a critical shortage of swimming teachers in Vietnam. Long term plans involve expanding the program to include rural areas around Hoi An. Around 80% of Vietnam's population live in rural areas of Vietnam where waterways, especially during the wet season, cause severe flooding, increasing potential drowning risks.
Children in remote communities are particularly vulnerable as they often walk or cycle long distances, unaccompanied by adults, to attend school.
Our mission is to reduce the incidence of drowning in Vietnam by providing high quality swim coaching to Vietnamese children. To teach them basic water safety techniques that could help save their lives. We also want to promote general water safety issues in Vietnam. In addition we aim to promote swimming as a sport in Vietnam with the long term goal of improving health and fitness across the country.
