I came to know the NGO ETIV through an invitation to teach swimming lessons to students living in communities with few opportunities. From that moment on, I got to know the whole team and the work that is done in other areas such as English classes, environmental classes etc... and then I realized that everything that is done, is done with a lot of love and affection, with total responsibility and dedication to reach the goals. As soon as I started giving my classes, I realized that I was already fully involved in this project and that I was really happy to pass on my knowledge, not only to the students, but also to my co-workers, with a united team we made magical and fantastic events where everything went well and goals were achieved. These 2 months went by very fast and it's a shame that this project only lasts for such a short period each year. Congratulations to the team, and congratulations to SwimTayka.

“I think it’s important for everyone to be able to swim, because it is a lifesaving measure. It is very fun to enjoy swimming in rivers and the ocean. Learning to swim opens up other opportunities like being able to surf or stand-up-paddle.” 

“I like the classes, they are very fun. I like always learning something new every class. I enjoy being together with cool people and making new friendships. I enjoy splashing in the water with my friends. It is fun learning different styles of swimming like butterfly and crawl, and my teachers are all really cool.”

"I’m very happy to have gotten this amazing opportunity. I love swimming and I can’t wait to swim in the ocean and go to the beach with my family, and practise all the swimming styles that I learned. I feel good after the swimming classes, swimming is good for my health and body.”

Who Wants To Go The Beach?

The highlight of everyone’s day (children and volunteers alike) is hearing “Who wants to go the beach?” Without fail the universal response is an excited chorus of “yays and yes’s.” The beach segment includes beach clean-up along with individual and team-building games and activities. But the real treat is hopping in the ocean and practising pool drills along with having free time. Volunteering with SwimTayka truly is a unique experience and an opportunity I’m so glad to have had.

Training Teachers In Tanzania Was Fun And Rewarding

One of our biggest issues was the majority of the teachers only spoke Swahili, but thankfully one of the team, Ali had a good command of English and he did a sterling job translating for us. For me, it was a steep learning curve. I’m used to teaching children to swim normally on a one to one basis in the UK. While the work I do in drowning prevention in Bangladesh involves being with the children and getting them confident in the water. Here we were actually training other teachers. But it was fun and rewarding as time passed, to see our students understanding the basics of the new strokes.

Exciting, Enriching, Fulfilling, And Humbling

I am very grateful for having had the privilege of working with wonderful volunteers, and so many wonderful children who were eager to learn! You just never know the impact you will have on someone, but in this case, it is my hope that because of this program, someone who may have drowned, won’t!

Super Helpful Elia

Super helpful Elia, he supports the swimming lessons every morning! He gets in the pool with the trainer Daniel, no matter if there is rain or sun and helps to encourage each one of the children so that they can learn to swim! With a smile on his face and kindness, he influences the children positively!

Swimming Lesson With The Children Of Peru

It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I was part of it.

Being a little crazy with a French accent. She is crackers!

“professor Chloé, la playa? la piscina?”, getting hugs and kisses on the cheeks. This was a wonderful feeling every day when we picked up the children.