Swimsafe Sharks

To privide swimming education to children in the epicenter of the global drowning crisis.

The facts Drowning is the leading cause of death in children aged one year and over in Thailand, causing nearly 2,650 deaths every year. Drowning caused almost half (46 per cent) of all child deaths in the 1-4 age group. On top of these figures, some 3,000 children nearly drown every year. Most drowning occurs in rural areas, during the day, when mothers are busy with housework or other chores and the unsupervised child unexpectedly wanders away. More than half (56 per cent) of all drowning deaths occur within 100 meters of the child’s home. Reducing child drowning requires developing ways to increase close adult supervision as well as reducing access to drowning hazards close to home. This could be by using play pens or door barriers for very young children, and fences or other barriers around water bodies for older, more adventurous children. These measures need to be in conjunction with close supervision and swimming lessons.

The schools we help on the Thai/Cambodian border are trying to create awarness of the problem. We need support for our swimming pool project and education program to teach Thai and Cambodian children water safety skills.