Our first program of 2009 is now finished with 100 more children having completed the swim course. Since its inception more than 500 children have been enrolled on the program. The results achieved in this program were the highest yet, with around 95% of all children who finished the course achieving the required swimming distance. Graduation ceremonies were held at both of the participating schools with all the children receiving certificates. Prizes of sports bags and goggles were awarded to the children who showed the most promise and improvement. The graduation ceremonies were attended by representatives of the participating hotels, the Hoi An Education Department, school headmasters, teachers and proud parents. Program 2 is now underway. We have increased the number of classes per day to six so we are able to accept 180 children onto this program.
This year we have been fortunate to receive many applicants to volunteer on the program. These people are coming from all over the world to assist us; from as far afield as Shanghai, Dubai and Australia. We have several highly experienced people lined up for the summer and their input will really help us to give some top quality coaching. Currently we have a volunteer teacher, Tori from Shanghai, and a trainer, Lesley from Australia, working with our local instructors to improve their teaching skills. We now have 4 local instructors, Mr Thanh, Anh, Chau and Vinh. Finding local swimming teachers is always a challenge. Therefore we have plans to run a training program for PE teachers later in the summer so that in the future the schools will have the necessary resources to teach swimming as part of their school curriculum.
 Currently Hoi An does not have any public pools. In response to this problem, a philanthropic local business woman, Ms Trinh Diem Quynh, the owner of Yaly dressmakers, is building a swimming pool in town. This will be used by the Tribob Swimming Program and be available to all the schools in the area. The pool is still in the planning stage. It should however be completed in a few months. Having our own pool will be wonderful. We will be able to teach more beginner classes, provide advanced coaching and possibly have a swimming club for children who have completed the course.
The provincial government has granted us approval to expand the TRIBOB Children’s Swimming Program throughout Quang Nam Province. Hence, this year we are planning to run a program in Tam Ky, the capital of the province and possibly also in a rural area neighbouring Hoi An. Rural areas are where the greatest incidences of drowning occur so teaching swimming here will have a great impact on limiting death by drowning in the province.
Many thanks to the all the supporters of the program, particularly to our main corporate sponsor, Barclays Capital, and to all the individuals around the world who have contributed money, equipment and their time. In addition I would like to highlight the participating hotels, Palm Gardens Resort and Hoi An Pacific Hotel, which generously allow us to use their pools for lessons. Without the support of these people we would not be able to run the swimming program and we give our sincere thanks to all of you for your involvement.
Feel free to forward this update onto anyone you think would be interested. Alternatively, if you want to be removed from receiving any more updates please send me an email. If you are interested in assisting with the program in any way please do contact me. If you are visiting Hoi An, perhaps to participate in the Hoi An International Triathlon (www.vietnamtriathlon.com) in August, then let me know and you could come see a swim class in action.
Joanne Stewart
Swim Program Director
Tel: +84 (0)935728960. Email: joanne@tribob.com.
Website: www.vietnamtriathlon.com/home-learntoswimprogram.php
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