Swim, Travel & Volunteer

Changing Lives Through Swimming

Overseas travel, exploring new countries, swimming in new locations… how about throwing volunteering into the mix?

Because with the drowning prevention charity SwimTayka, there’s an opportunity to combine all four, with the swim programmes they run around the world.

Swimming & Volunteering With Purpose & Passion

Set up nearly ten years ago, SwimTayka’s mission is to teach drowning prevention skills to children living alongside the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes, who have little or no access to swimming lessons.

With more than 236,000 people drowning every year – children, often living in poorer communities, are disproportionally affected – the need is urgent.

So this is where the charity’s volunteer programme is perfect for people wanting to travel, swim and give something back.

The model is simple and effective: SwimTayka partners with a local NGO or charity in each area, to set up a swimming programme or support one that is already running, by providing volunteer swim instructors.

While the children learn lifesaving skills, the other goal is create a pool – pardon the pun – of local swim instructors, with recognised qualifications, so the programmes become self-sustaining.

Since it was founded, SwimTayka has run programmes in nine locations around the globe, and is launching a pilot programme in the UK too. This year, programmes are running in Peru, Bali, and Brazil.

The Volunteering Experience

Over the years, dozens of volunteers have joined the programmes, and all have found they get back as much as they put in. It’s a truly life-changing experience.

Georgina, who volunteered on the Peru project, said: “It’s been an incredible, memorable experience.”

Emilie, who helped in Brazil, said: “The children are so grateful to have the opportunity to take part, because they don’t have a lot. Learning to swim gives them so many opportunities, like surfing, or diving.”

Debbie, who helped during the first year of the Uganda programme, said: “Age is no barrier to volunteering – I am in my early sixties now. It’s perfect if you enjoy working with children and other young people. To see the sheer joy from the kids is incredible – they are very welcoming.”

And Cairo, who volunteered alongside a friend in Bali, sums it up perfectly:

“My experience volunteering brought me so much joy. It was all about building connections with the children and offering them new opportunities, particularly through sharing the beautiful sport of swimming with such grateful and eager learners. To be a role model for them, and see their smiles and watching their confidence grow was truly special. Experiencing their culture and way of life, which helped me feel more connected to them, was invaluable. Being able to help by supporting children with learning differences and helping them feel valued and successful was incredibly rewarding. I left feeling proud of my students’ progress and, in turn, proud of myself.”

Tempted to volunteer? To make a difference to children’s life chances and have an amazing, life-changing experience at the same time?

Email volunteer@swimtayka.org

Opportunity at a Glance:

• Two weeks volunteering on a SwimTayka programme of your choice
• All airport transfers, accommodation and meal expenses included – you just need to pay for your flights
• Fundraising minimum amount £1,500
• No swimming instructor qualification required
• Full support from SwimTayka before and during your trip
• Guaranteed memorable life experience, saving lives and making a difference

All Photos – SwimTayka