In Aymara, a major language around Lake Titicaca in the Andes region, the word “tayka” means “mother.” A mother teaches her children life skills and how to care for the planet.

Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental injury death for children worldwide, more than automobile accidents and more than gunshots.  Nearly 42 people die from drowning every hour. Learning to swim is a fundamental life skill. For children this skill is critical.

Our world’s open waters are in crisis.  Nearly 71% of the earth is covered in water, yet less than .3% is freshwater in rivers, lakes and streams.  Nearly everybody of open water is threatened by contamination, overfishing, water shortages, or climate change impacts. As a global community, we have the duty to conserve, protect and clean up our water supplies.

We are intricately connected to our waters. Water is fundamental and irreplaceable. By developing a sense of stewardship for the water that we swim in, we build a sense of ownership and responsibility toward our local aquatic ecosystems and also our planet.

SwimTayka’s environmental education curriculum is designed to enrich a child’s understanding of the environment and the delicate ecological balance of aquatic life.  Children in the SwimTayka program learn about the importance of their own local water and how caring for one’s environment it builds a sense of movement in a global community.

Some people assume that children who live near open water have an inherent knowledge of swimming and an appreciation for clean water stewardship. We have seen first-hand that children who are at greatest risk of drowning and who are most directly impacted by impaired water quality are often the underserved children living right at the water’s edge.  We aim to change that.