Just in time for summer, 125 students from 5 primary schools now know how to swim. The students spent the last nine weeks learning how to swim at the YWCA pool. The training was funded by the Fiona Stephens Foundation and the instructor was Peace Corp Volunteer Nicole Cavlovich. Today was graduation day and 7News was there.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Over the last 9 weeks these primary school students have been doing more than just splashing around in the water at the Y.
Nicole Cavlovich, Swim Instructor
“We did basic getting used to the water, went over safety rules in the water, and then we were doing swimming and just learning how to be comfortable in the water, learning how to swim, and just in a variety of ways; under water,
above water and things like that. And then also during middle of it during the fifth week we did safety week where all of the kids and students. We have just over the course been going through different water instructions with the kids and today is the last day and we are just showing everything that we’ve learnt since being here for the last nine days.”
And if these students seem comfortable playing in the pool that is because they now are. That says Peace Corp volunteer Nicole Cavlovich was their goal.
Nicole Cavlovich,
“Really and truly you just want the children to be comfortable in the water and don’t be so afraid. I feel that a lot of people I come in contact with here are really afraid of water and we have a lot of water around us and it is absolutely wonderful that they are getting use to the water and that they are able, every little thing is a victory. Every little bit helps.”
Russell Reyes, St. John’s Primary School
“Over the last nine weeks I learnt about swimming and for the nine weeks while I’ve been here I’ve learnt a lot about swimming, like I know I have the skill for it now and I could do more. I knew to swim a little bit and I used to like go to water and thing but now I am not too scared of the water because I know I got my skills.”
Nicole Cavlovich,
“The importance is to able to be comfortable in the water. You find yourself in any kind of situation where you get in or if you somebody or anything like that you need to be able to feel comfortable. People go out in boats, people go out and just like to swim around, people are in rivers, and it is really important that we teach learning to swim for all ages.”
Tricia Gideon, Board Member – YWCA
“This is how I got involved with the Y in the learning how to swim program and being a swimming instructor and many times we can’t do many of the opportunities in our lives because we are too afraid and swimming teaches us some lessons of how to get out there, meet the challenges, and overcome them. It builds strength, its fun, you get to know other people and the interaction is great for all ages and so swimming teaches you basic skills that are essential that you can carry over to other areas.”
And no one was more impressive than Dewayne Westby – a special student from Stella Maris School.
The students were from Wesley, All Saints, Calvary Temple, Stella Maris, and St. John’s Anglican Primary Schools. High school students from Excelsior, Sadie Vernon, and Canaan Seventh Day Adventist High Schools also participated.
