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Vietnam Community Learn-to-swim Program 2008

Program update by Jo Stewart
Program update by Jo Stewart - 5 June 2008

In conjunction with MILO, Tribob have implemented a community Learn-to-Swim Program in Hoi An. Over the course of the 4-month program, we are teaching around 400 local children to swim as well as basic water safety skills which will help save their lives.  We are also teaching local school teachers the skills they will need to continue children’s swimming lessons in the future.

Drowning is the biggest cause of death among children in Vietnam, killing around 15,000 children under 15 years old each year. 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.

Hoi An, in Central Vietnam, is a charming, riverside town dotted with temples, shrines and Chinese style wooden houses. Traditional lifestyle and Chinese architecture have remained virtually unspoiled since the 17th century – it is one of Vietnam’s four World Heritage sites.  This is the one of the reasons that it is the location for Tribob’s Vietnam Triathlon.  However Hoi An is severely impacted by the floods which plague the Central Vietnam region.

While organising the Hoi An Triathlon in 2007 we realised that, despite the town’s coastal location and annual flooding, the local children do not know how to swim. Local families are poor and swimming lessons are an unaffordable luxury. It became obvious that teaching these children to swim could really make a long term positive impact on the local community.

We would like to thank our sponsor, MILO for their generous support of this initiative. The local community are all too aware of the dangers their children face from the nearby sea and waterways and are very enthusiastic about the project. The Hoi An Beach Club and Hoi An Trails Resort are allowing us to use their pools for the lessons.  Without their support, this worthy project would not be possible.

If you wish to donate any equipment for the project, particularly children’s swimming goggles, kickboards or suntan lotion, please drop them off at one of the Tribob training sessions in Singapore or send them to: Tribob.com Pte Ltd, 40 Saunders Rd, Singapore 228275.

If you want to find out more about this project, please contact Jo Stewart on Joanne@tribob.com.  Mobile: +84 (0)35728960.  If you visit Vietnam while the project is underway why not take a trip to Hoi An and have a look for yourself. The lessons will run from 18th February until 20th June 2008.

Your support of the Hoi An Vietnam International Triathlon will help us to raise awareness of the sport of Triathlon in Vietnam and help foster a new generation of kids who consider sport and fitness, in particular swimming, a way of life.

A Tribob initiative supported by:

 Hoi An Beach Club - Right on the beach, boasting a lovely terrace, swimming pool, pool table, full service restaurant & rock n' roll!.  A great place to spend a lazy day at the beach, drink some cocktails or party the night away. Tel : +84 510 911911. Website : www.hoianbeachclub.vn

Hoi An Trails Resort - Boutique luxury Resort and Spa located between Hoi An Old Town and the beach.  A charming hotel situated in idyllic gardens which combines the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Hoi An.
Tel : +84 510 923999.. Website : www.hoiantrailsresort.com.vn

Red Bridge Cooking School & Restaurant - Why not take a Vietnamese cookery class while visiting Hoi An.  A great way to learn about Vietnamese food, experience the local markets and the Hoi An way of life. 
Tel : +84 50 9333222. Website : www.visithoian.com