swim
TAY.Ift:
Annual Report & Accounts
2022


**Teaching The Life Skills Of Swimming and Water Stewardship** 



SwimTayka, a charity registered in England and Wales (registered number 1176079).  Its objectives and powers are set out in its Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation for SwimTayka 

All photos and material in the report have permission to be used by SwimTayka 

SwimTayka is a registered Trademark 



## **Reaching out to over 14,000 children** 

# **Programmes in Peru, Brazil, Jamaica, Indonesia, & Mozambique** 

# **Over 30 volunteers working towards the greater goal** 

## **S w i m Ta y k a  P r o g r a m m e  L o c a t i o n s** 












**J A M A I C A** 

**M O Z A M B I Q U E** 

**I N D O N E S I A** 

**P E R U** 

**B R A Z I L** 

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swim
TRYKA

|Message from the Chair|6|
|---|---|
|SwimTayka Trustees|8|
|SwimTayka Staff and Volunteers|9|
|Facts & About SwimTayka<br>Background|10<br>15|
|Background|16|
|Strategy<br>Values|17<br>18|
|Key Points|19|
|Adaption|21|
|Strategy|22|
|Funding|23|
|Programme Report<br>Volunteers|26<br>27|
|Brazil|34|
|Jamaica|42|
|Indonesia|45|
|Mozambique|50|
|Control Measures|55|
|Principles and Safeguarding|56|
|Volunteers and Partners|57|
|Finances|58|
|Our Plans for 2023|59|
|Accounts|60|
|Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities|61|
|Projects and Cash Position|62|
|Donations and Costs|63|
|Acknowledgements|65|



5 



Trustees’ Annual ReportMessage from the Chair 

## **Message from the Chair** 

What a year. Coming out of the pandemic, with our full complement of volunteers this year, it was challenging but very successful, as they all supported the programmes and our partnering organisations worldwide. 

We got off to a flying start, with all our programmes running in 2022. We started with Peru, where we were initially uncertain of going ahead, being so close to coming out of the pandemic, but the team did us proud and managed to run ten weeks of swimming lessons in January, February and March. We invited our partner, Photographers Without Borders, to attend the programme and they took some fantastic photos for us. 

The Brazil programme was not without problems. Our partner, ETIV-do-Brasil, has a severe issue with the exchange rates as the Brazilian Real dropped dramatically due to the pandemic striking them in the early part of 2022, with the threat of the programme not starting. We were enormously grateful to the Princess Charlene Foundation, which stepped in to provide the shortfall, and we were able to go ahead. 

In another successful project in Mozambique, which also experienced a problem, the primary swimming instructor who was due to go out to teach the teachers, dropped out about a month before the programme was due to start. Thanks to a campaign to reach out to swimming instructors, we had several people willing to step up and take on the challenge of running the Mozambique project with our partner, Love The Oceans. After a successful interview, SwimTayka trustee Rob Hamilton flew out to spend four weeks at our project in Mozambique to teach the Love the Oceans swim teachers. Volunteering alongside Rob was Mya Clark, who was there for two weeks teaching the children to swim. Mya and Rob thoroughly enjoyed their experience and would recommend it to anyone considering volunteering. They hope to return in the future. 

Our most successful project was Bali with our partner SwimDo, with ten volunteers attending during August. This was our first year working with SwimDo, and it was a great success, with all the children loving the new depth of teachers from SwimTayka. 

6 



Trustees’ Annual ReportMessage from the Chair 

Our newest partner, Likkle Swimmers, based in Jamaica, had an exciting project too, with volunteers going out to Treasure Beach and helping the local instructors to teach swimming. A beautiful location, with many children needing help with swimming and drowning prevention. 

This year’s fundraising events saw four teams successfully crossing the English Channel and two solo swimmers complete the epic journey, raising over £43,000 for SwimTayka. Thank you to all of them. We also had several swimmers taking part in the London Marathon River Thames swim, and they raised £17,000. All in all, a very successful year for fundraising, and we are looking forward to many more events in 2023. 

world Henry, Lauren’s baby who was born in the summer. 

Congratulations to Lauren, and we are looking forward to her returning to work in April. 

SwimTayka is now in a healthy state to grow and support more programmes going forwards, and 2024 will see new programmes coming on board, which we are excited about. 

Bryan Avery Chair and Founder SwimTayka 

We held our first annual gala dinner, which was a great way to celebrate our achievements and to look at future plans. We’ll be holding our second this November. 

Finally, I’d also like to welcome into this 

7 



Trusteesʼ Annual Report Trustees 

## **SwimTayka Trustees** 


**Dale Roberts (Vice-Chair)** 


**Alice Bunn** 


**Ben Freeman Finance Controller** 


**Bryan Avery (Chair)** 



**Julie Farmer (Secretary)** 


**Matthew Slater** 

**Robert Hamilton** 

8 



Trustees’ Annual Report Trustees 

## **SwimTayka Staff and Volunteers** 


## Lauren Cambridge 


Laura Bracey 


## FUNDRAISING MANAGER 


## Claire Parsons 

FINANCE OFFICER 


Elina Leventaki 

CAMPAIGN MANAGER 

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR 


Millie Dorgan 

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT 


Jasmine Tarkhaoui 

Jo Smyth 

PR CONSULTANT AND COPYWRITER 


Davey McConnell 

ECO REPORTER 


LEGAL & POLICY OFFICER 

## Lou Jones 

CLOTHING & RECYCLING MANAGER 

9 



swim
TAYKR
Facts & About SwimTayka
Drowning
the facts

swim
TAYKA
What We Do
We provide free swimming lessons and
environmental educaLion about clean water
stewardship to underprivileged children who
live along the earths open water: rivers, lakes
and oceans.
Teachin8 the life skills of
swimming and water stewardship
SwimTayka connects organisations in low resource waterside communities with
volunteer swimming instructors and environrnental educators from around the
world, in ordei to develop and promote free swimTning and environmental
lessons for children. Volunteer prograrnmes run from one week up to two
months and include insLruction in basic water safety. 5wimmin& flrst aid and
clean water education.
Mission
It is our mission to give disadvantaged communities around the world access to
swimming teacheis who can not only provide the lrfe skills of swimmin& but
create a legacy for todays children. who will glow up to teach the next generation.
Combining swimming with clean water education. we are nurturing a generation
of woild citizens who will act as environmental stewards who love, caie foi and
respect the life-giving rivers, lakes and oceans along which they live.
Our vision is that no child be denied access to swimming lessons because of their
economic statu5.
We envisage a world where children grow up with respect for their environment
and understand how their rivers. lake5 and oceans are sources of whole50me food.
provide their livelihoods and play an important part in maintainin8 a healthy life
free from waterborne illnesses.

SwimTayka Wants To
Teach Children Worldwide
How To Swim And Care
For The Water
DROWNING
DEATHS
EVERY HOUR,
everyday
DID YOU KNOW?*
Globalty, drowning claims more than 360,000 lives every year
One person loses their life by drowning every 90 seconds
Children aged I to 4 are most at risk.
Over halfthe people who drown are under 25
Most drownings occur in low- and middle-income countries.
These losses of life are largely preventable

Where we work
We work in counties that need teachers and education, working closely
with NGOS and Charities that already have an established relationship
with the cotnmunity.
You may have been on holiday to beautiful beaches, swum in the clear
turquoise waters, snorkelling or thving from boats but what you don't
realise is that many ofthe local people cannot swim. They play in the
waters every day, they have the confidence in the water, but they don't
know how to swim or survive.
Workingwith communities that live along the earth's open water: rivers,
lake5 and oceans no matter where they are, we provide the children
free swimming lessons, drowning prevention education and education
in clean water stewardship.
Our Approach
Connecting passionate people with existin8 NGO'S and Charities
Dealing with the issues at a local level
Creating partnerships - which work
t£aving a legacy ofconfident swimmers and clean water stewards
Encouraging established teaching methods around drowning
prevention and swimmingteaching
Teach the teacher and develop sustainability.
Our Solutions
The practical solutions we have developed include:
Connecting together qualified instructors to teach swimming
A water education programme that is easy to follow and teach
Free education lessons for children in low-income communities
Connecting Swimming piofessional with existing NGO s and Charities
Building safety values
Developing a five-year plan

DROWNING PREVENTION
KEY FACTS
swim
TAYKA
Drowning is one of the top 10 leading causes of death amongst 1-24 year olds
236.000 ANNUAL DEATHS
occur due to DROWNING.
Over 50% of this number
consists of those UNDER 25.
th
MORTALITY RATE DUE due to DROWNING
worldwide
Drowning is the 5 LEADING
cause of death for AGES 1-4
Drowning
<1.3-3.9 per
100,000
L)rownin
mortality
<1.3 per
100,000
Drowning
<3.9 per
100,000
Where there Is WATER THERE IS A THREAT
of drowning {e$peclally In chlidren)
Leadlng klllers for chlldren under 15 years of age
Pon
Tuberculosis
Measles
DROWNIN
Dlt¢h
69,684
125,813
140,219
ontaiwr
7% Lake
HIV
Meningitls
217,580
Oth•r
199,071
SJ61 Rlv•Y
Places Oi
Bangladeshi children drownin#
stall BARRIERS
ter
TEACH school-aged children BASIC
SWIMMING. WATER SAFETY. and
SAFE RESCUE SKILLS
ovide SAFE PLACES (for example, a
èchel 8W8y from water for pre-school
Ildren with capable childcare
RAIN bystanders in SAFE RESCUE
ND RESUSCITATION
PROVE FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT
ally and nationally
et and enforce safe BOATING,
HIPPING. AND FERRYING
EGULATIONS

Trustees’ Annual Report About SwimTayka 

## **Background** 

At SwimTayka, our mission is to make a significant impact in drowning prevention worldwide. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to be water-safe and enjoy the benefits of aquatic activities. Here are some key facts and insights that highlight the importance of our work: 

## **Drowning Statistics** 

- **Drowning is the third leading cause** of unintentional injury death globally, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. 

- An estimated **236,000 people lose their lives** to drowning each year, making it a major public health concern. 

- The burden of drowning is particularly high in low- and middleincome countries, which account for over 90% of unintentional drowning deaths. 

- Drowning death rates are significantly higher in certain regions, such as the WHO Western Pacific Region, where rates are 27–32 times higher than in countries like the United Kingdom or Germany. 

## **Risk Factors** 

- **Age plays a significant role** in drowning risk, with the highest rates among children aged 1–4 years. In some regions, children aged 5–14 years are more likely to die from drowning than any other cause. 

- Gender disparities exist, with males having twice the mortality rate of females. Risky behaviours like swimming alone and alcohol consumption contribute to higher drowning rates among males. 

- Increased access to water and certain occupations, such as fishing, elevate drowning risk. Children living near open water sources are also more vulnerable. 

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Trustees’ Annual Report About SwimTayka 

## **Background** 

- Flood disasters are responsible for 75% of drowning deaths, especially in flood-prone areas of low- and middle-income countries. 

- Travel on overcrowded and unsafe vessels, often with untrained personnel or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, poses significant risks. 

## **Prevention** 

- Drowning prevention measures include controlling access to water hazards, using barriers and playpens, and fencing swimming pools. 

- Community-based childcare and teaching children essential swimming and water safety skills are effective prevention strategies. 

- Effective policies and legislation, such as safe boating regulations and flood risk management, are crucial for safety. 

- Investment in drowning prevention yields substantial returns, with each dollar invested potentially returning up to nine times its original value. 

- Developing national water safety strategies and disaster preparedness plans is essential for a comprehensive approach to prevention. 

At SwimTayka, we are committed to addressing these challenges and saving lives through our programmes and initiatives. Together, we can create a safer aquatic environment for children and communities worldwide. Thank you for your support in making a difference. 

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Strategy 


## **Strategy** 

provide a clear way forward for the charity. 




Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## Learning 


Community Engagement & Learning 

## Sustainability 


Sustainable Impact 

## Involvement 


Inclusive Engagement 

## **Values** 

Integrity 


Integrity & Fairness 

## Innovation 


Creative Innovation 

Efficiency Efficient Resource Management 

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Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## **Key Points** 

Following the United Nations resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, we are campaigning and driving programmes within countries that we are working within. 

Common questions that came from the non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) were “I don't have the resource to teach the children to swim”. 

We are providing free swimming lessons for school-aged children in low-resource environments. 

Providing lessons in drowning prevention further to educate children in responsible behaviour around or near water 

Objectives and how we achieve those objectives are financially or grant driven to deliver the training and message from the resources. 

## **Context** 

United Nations General Assembly members have adopted an historic resolution, committing to greater efforts to prevent drowning. 

An estimated 236,000 people drown every year, although this figure excludes drownings attributable to flood-related climatic events and water transport incidents, so the actual figure is much higher. Drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. 

The United Nations resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, cosponsored by Bangladesh and Ireland and adopted by consensus by the 193-member world body, is the first to focus on drowning, establishing July 25 as ‘World Drowning Prevention Day’. 

“In the Western world, we take learning to swim for granted, but this often isn’t part of the culture or curriculum in poorer and lowerincome communities in developing countries. That’s why we need this focus and for governments to be proactive in promoting swimming 

19 



Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

programmes and drowning prevention.” 

SwimTayka promotes drowning prevention by teaching children to swim and to be safe in and around bodies of water and by starting and supporting local swimming programmes. This was born from the fact that many NGO's and charities that were near rivers, lakes and oceans that were supporting children did not have the ability or skills to run swimming lessons. We provide these NGO’s with the resources they need to get started and keep running. 

part of school curricula. It is encouraging nations to appoint “a national focal point for drowning prevention”, develop countrywide prevention programmes, and enact and enforce water safety laws. 

We are following the guidelines of the World Health Organization and adhere to their recommended practice in our programmes as closely as possible. 

The assembly United Nations Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they do, however, reflect global opinion. 

The assembly stressed that drowning “is preventable” using “low-cost interventions” and called on countries to consider introducing water safety, swimming and first aid lessons as 

20 



Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## **Adaption** 

Following the World Health Organisations advice in the preventing drowning an implementation guide we are only implementing parts of the programme that are directly related to children and teaching swimming, we will be adopting the following interventions: 



Swimming and Water Safety for Kids 



Drowning Prevention Education for Teachers 



Bystander Rescue and CPR Training 



Promote Water Access Barriers 



Safe Preschool Childcare Away from Water 

21 



Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## **Strategy** 


Raise Drowning Awareness 




Collaborative Goal Achievement 


National Water Safety Plans 





Enhance Drowning Prevention with Data and Research 

Interventions and Strategies are fully documented in “Preventing Drowning an Implementation Guide 

22 



Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## **Funding** 

## **Short Term** 

Our short-term goal is to drive funding through fundraising events and activities.  We are to continue to find high wealth individuals to support and fund the charity where possible. 

We seek grants to support core functions within the charity and directly to our programmes and actively push the United Nations resolution through campaigning to the countries we are working with over the next five years. 

To give a breadth of income stream from events, grant income and merchanting. This will provide a good support network and stability within SwimTayka. 

## **Exit Strategy to assisting raising funds** 

To assist gaining funding, we have an exit strategy for each of our programmes.  We aim for our programmes to become selfsustaining with a five-year period. 

The United Nations has acknowledged that drowning prevention is an important point and will take the initiative; the resolution is sustainable development. It is not about highresource countries constantly pouring in funds. It's about high-resource countries pouring in funds with limited time available to enable low resource countries to develop their capability. 

## **Long Term** 

With the United Nations resolution, we are expecting more funding to become available around drowning prevention. We anticipate this will become more readily available from 2026 onwards. 

After five years (2026) to claim grants and funding due to the UN Resolution on Drowning Prevention. 

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Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## **How we Measure the Impact** 

Creating a self-sustaining programme with little or no dependence on external resources is measured by each year to reduce funding, where possible, by 20% for the programme. 

We will record and monitor the skills and competencies taught and reached a level of maturity as defined in the World Health Organisation preventing drowning an implementation guide. These come under the following areas: 

- Breathing skills in the water 

- Swimming skills 

- Survival competencies 

- Elementary rescue techniques 

We are reducing deaths by drowning in the locations we are working in by measuring the number of drownings year on year. 

We will be providing a year-on-year increase to the number of Swimming courses taken by local students, these include but not limited to: 

The STA offers both regulated qualifications and unregulated courses, allowing learners across the globe to gain the necessary training within the leisure industry. They offer unregulated international training for swimming teaching, baby and pre-school teaching and pool lifeguarding job with confidence anywhere in the world. 

Unregulated Courses by the Swimming Teachers Association (STA) 

- STA International Swimming Teacher 

- STA International Baby and Pre-School Teacher 

- STA International Pool Lifeguard 

- STA International Lifesaving Course for Swimming Teachers 

- STA International Open Water Coach 

- STA International First Aid 

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Trustees’ Annual Report Strategy SwimTayka 

## **Five-Year Plan** 

As an organisation, the following plan is what we would want to achieve and work towards over the next five years: 

|next fve years:||
|---|---|
|Within the next fve years to be<br>supporting ten programmes around the<br>world.|Support international cooperation by<br>sharing lessons learned, experiences and<br>best practice within and among regions.|
|Identifcation around priority countries<br>making sure we spread the risk there. We<br>are diversifying funding sources.|<br>For next two to three years, we will drive<br>the name, the brand and the fnance<br>generation.|
|Follow the World Health Organizations<br>guidance around drowning prevention<br>and following the preventing drowning an<br>implementation guide|Encourage integration of drowning<br>prevention within existing disaster risk<br>reduction programmes, especially in<br>communities at risk of fooding and<br>coastal inundation, including through<br>international, regional and bilateral<br>cooperation.|
|Developing a drowning prevention<br>programming in line with World Health<br>Organization recommended interventions,<br>namely, barriers, supervision, swim skills,<br>rescue and resuscitation training.|Promote research and development of<br>innovative drowning prevention tools and<br>technology, and promote capacity-building<br>through international cooperation, for<br>developing countries.|
|<br>Campaign for the introduction of water<br>safety, swimming and frst aid lessons as<br>part of school curricula, consistent with<br>the local government governance<br>framework for education.|<br>To observe 25th July as World Drowning<br>Prevention Day annually in an appropriate<br>manner through education, knowledge-<br>sharing and other activities to raise<br>awareness of the importance of drowning<br>prevention and the need for urgent,<br>coordinated multi-sectoral action to<br>improve water safety, to reduce<br>preventable deaths.|
|Promote and campaign to include<br>drowning within civil registration and vital<br>statistics registers and aggregate all<br>drowning mortality data into national<br>estimates.|<br>Promote public awareness of drowning<br>prevention and behaviour-change<br>campaigns.|
|With the Drowning Prevention, we are to<br>go broader and reach out to more and<br>more NGOs in different countries, the<br>reason why is that it will spread the risk<br>and allow for sharing of information<br>between programmes.|Each of the programmes with the NGO's<br>we have a fve-year strategy, with the<br>intention that by the time we get to year<br>fve, the programme will be self-sustaining,<br>supporting themselves and being run by<br>local individuals and organisations.<br>Including the local business and local<br>government involved in the programmes<br>going forwards.|
|Over the fve years, the funding will be<br>reduced for the programmes to<br>encourage the NGOs to become more<br>locally self-sustaining.|<br>To engage with academics to provide<br>research and provide evidence base<br>information and impact assessments.|



## **Our Ultimate Goal** 

We aspire to be a globally named organisation that is the go-to for support service to prevent drowning. 

25 



Programme Report **Programme Report** 

An overview of our achievements and performance in 2022, and a summary of our objectives for the coming financial year. 




Volunteers 

## **Volunteers** 

The diagram depicts the ratings given by volunteers who participated in the SwimTayka programmes last year. The ratings reflect their overall satisfaction and experience with volunteering. This visual representation provides a snapshot of the volunteers' feedback and serves as an insightful summary of their engagement in SwimTayka's initiatives. 




Peru


## **SwimTayka Programme in Huanchaco, Peru** 

In 2022, we had the pleasure of being in Peru for SwimTayka's 5th positive change program. Our dedicated volunteers played a vital role in implementing the SwimTayka method, focusing on water safety and stewardship in Huanchaco, Peru. 

65 children Ages 3 -13 

Facility: El Acuario 

Project coordinator: Paul Gastañaduí of Trujillo 

SwimTayka contact: Bryan Avery 

The program, which was already successful, ran for 10 weeks during the first two months of 2022. Our volunteers worked closely with our partner organization, Otra Cosa Network, as well as local volunteers, environmental educators, and surfers, during the summer holiday season for local children. 

Local contact: Sophia Robson 

Local partners: Otra Cosa Network Groundswell Community 

Otra Cosa Network is a year-round volunteer program that serves the needs of women and children living in Huanchaco and informal settlements. Another partner, El Boqueron Surf School, is one of many surf schools in Huanchaco with a unique mission to teach surfing as a life skill to underprivileged children. 

## Volunteers 

• 4 local 

• 3 international 

Our volunteers possess experience working with children, some knowledge of Peruvian culture, and Spanish language skills, which are essential for effective communication in Huanchaco. They work independently while relying on teamwork and creativity, with coordination and leadership from OCN and Boqueron Surf School staff. 




## **The Project and Volunteering** 

As SwimTayka volunteers, their primary task is to deliver the SwimTayka Method youth education program on Drowning Prevention and Water Stewardship. This hands-on module is designed for children aged 4 to 14 and covers basic swimming skills, water safety, principles of environmental education, and tools for water stewardship. 

Prior to the project launch, volunteers work closely with SwimTayka leadership to develop the curriculum, allowing flexibility for adjustments as needed. 

In general, volunteers follow a weekday work schedule, with weekends and evenings free to explore the beautiful surroundings. They dedicate four mornings a week, roughly from 9 am to 1 pm, to the program, reserving one day a week for planned field trips. 

Volunteers accompany participants to and from the training location (a local pool or swimming area), provide dry-land instruction and in-water lessons, and ensure the safety of all participants at all times. A typical day may consist of 45 minutes of travel time, 1 hour of water drowning prevention, 1 hour of environmental education, and 45 minutes of travel time. 

To participate, volunteers must be at least 18 years old at the start of the program and have experience as a youth swim instructor or familiarity with environmental education principles. Knowledge of Peruvian culture and institutions is highly valued, and Spanish language skills are required. Additionally, volunteers must submit a completed volunteer application and consent to a criminal background check. 



## **Swimming lessons in Peru – we’re back up and  running!** 

After such a long time put on hold, due to the pandemic, our swim programmes are once again running and the first to start is in Peru. 

Here, we have teamed up with Otra Cosa Network, an NGO set up 15 years ago, whose initial purpose was to help Peruvian children living in Huanchaco learn to speak English. 

The programmes began again on January 10 and Eduardo says they are going really well. 

“Because of the pandemic, we have had to bring in some new rules to help keep children safe, like wearing masks outside the swimming pool, and using alcohol rubs and social distancing, but we are managing. 

“We’re teaching 60 children each week – but not at the same time! We have two lots of 30 children, who come twice a week, and we are combining swimming classes and environment classes. They have really improved in the four weeks they have been coming. 

“We start off with a short gymnastic class to warm them up, then they shower and then they are straight into the pool. We have two levels we are teaching this year: beginners and advanced. In the advanced we have four or five children who are very skilled, but the rest are beginners. 

“I teach them how to float, how to move and we make sure they have fun. The last five minutes of each class is just playing, which helps them feel comfortable in the water.” 

The project’s scope has since expanded to include literacy, youth projects, environmental awareness, sustainability and – of course – swimming. 


Our swimming programme runs during the Peruvian summer holidays, in January and February, and for seven weeks dozens of children are introduced to swimming, often for the first time. 

We caught up with Eduardo Maruri, from Spain, who now lives in Peru with his wife, and works as a magazine journalist. 

He is also a qualified swim instructor, and he is delighted to get back to teaching with SwimTayka, after the enforced break. 

At the start the children are quite nervous, and this summer in Peru it has been quite cool so there have been a few grumbles about getting into chilly water. But once they are in and start moving, the children quickly become used to it. 

His second time helping with the programme, because we couldn’t run it in 2021 due to the pandemic. I wanted to help because I have the skills and the time, and in Spain I was a swimming teacher for around ten years.” 



## **Reasons** 

In a country like Peru, where drowning is a significant concern and the water supplies are in crisis, we are focusing on teaching clean water stewardship and swimming. Although Peru has a relatively low drowning rate compared to other South American countries, the risk is higher among men and young girls. Drowning is a global public health threat, especially affecting low- and middle-income countries, and it ranks as the third leading cause of accidental death among children. Sadly, there are limited efforts to prevent drowning compared to other health challenges. 

SwimTayka is dedicated to changing this situation by providing free swim lessons to children living near open water. Our aim is to contribute to the reduction of drowning rates worldwide. Furthermore, the world's water supplies are facing a crisis, and Peru is no exception. Water quality is a major problem, with millions of Peruvians lacking access to clean water. The government, aid organisations, and initiatives like the Lima Water Fund are working to improve water quality, protect watersheds, and establish a sustainable water supply. 


Through SwimTayka's approach, we combine environmental education in clean water stewardship with the life skill of open water swimming. Our goal is to build a generation of clean water stewards who value and care for their water. By doing so, we hope to create wellmaintained waterways that are enjoyable and healthy for everyone, including both residents and visitors. 




## **Championing swimming for children in Peru** 

SwimTayka offers an incredible opportunity to connect with amazing people worldwide. Meet Paul, who collaborates with our partner organisation, Otra Cosa Network (OCN), in Peru. OCN focuses on teaching English, promoting literacy, environmental awareness, and swimming, which is where SwimTayka comes in. 

Dozens of children benefit from SwimTayka and OCN's collaboration, but there is a waiting list, prompting the need for more volunteers. The greater the volunteer support, the more children can learn this essential lifesaving skill. Overseas volunteers stay in the OCN volunteer house during their visit and gain invaluable experiences, including insights into Peru through interactions with the children. Many volunteers return home with heartwarming stories and children's drawings. 

Paul's role is to coordinate the SwimTayka projects in Peru, ensuring its success. He manages volunteers, children, budget, finances, and class preparation. Additionally, he develops the curriculum, covering not just swimming but also environmental education and water stewardship. 

Teaching children to care for the environment is a vital part of our project. Paul highlights the added benefit of children taking this knowledge home and sharing it with their parents, promoting environmental stewardship. 

Why is swimming crucial in Huanchaco? This coastal town, known for its fantastic waves and popularity among surfers, poses risks for children who cannot swim. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Paul emphasises the importance of swimming for children who naturally encounter the ocean but lack resources to learn. SwimTayka, partnering with Otra Cosa Network, fills this gap. 

The success of our mission is evident through reallife stories. One child, initially fearful and timid around water, received direct support from instructor Eduardo. By the end of the program, the child not only learned to swim but also started diving. Recognising their child's newfound passion, the parents built a small pool at home, fulfilling the child's desire to swim and dive. 

Paul's involvement with SwimTayka began when he started teaching employment-related classes for OCN. Gradually, he became more engaged and was asked to assist with SwimTayka. His focus now is to recruit volunteers and establish a strong local team for teaching swimming and water stewardship. 


Interestingly, Paul himself has never learned to swim, which surprises many. Growing up along the Peruvian coast, he, like others, was never given the opportunity. Despite this, Paul empathises with children in low-income areas who lack access to activities like swimming. In 2022, he aims to rectify this by learning to swim himself, aspiring to swim like a dolphin someday. 

Volunteer swim instructors play a crucial role in the success of our swim programs. While we recruit volunteers from around the world, local involvement is significant in Peru. Local tutors and even Olympictrained swimmers have contributed their expertise to the project. According to Paul, good volunteers are not only proficient swim instructors but also have experience working with children, employing positive language and serving as role models. 



Brazil

## **SwimTayka Programme in Itacare In Bahia, Brazil** 

## **Introduction** 

**Participants** : 96 underprivileged children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 from Itacaré, Brazil, benefited from the project. 

**Environmental Impact:** Activities included tree planting, litter collection, and crafting conservation signs. 

**Swimming Skills:** Participants gained essential swimming and drowning prevention skills. 

**Community Engagement:** The project promoted community involvement through cleanups and conservation efforts. 

**Safety Training:** Water rescue and CPR workshops enhanced safety awareness. 

**Efficient Implementation:** Classes were scheduled in both morning and afternoon sessions, accommodating school schedules. 

**Collaboration:** Local organisations and volunteers helped reduce transportation costs. 

The SwimTayka Project 2022 embarked on its mission on April 4th, with the primary goal of providing underprivileged children and adolescents, aged 08 to 16, from low-income communities in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil, with essential swimming and drowning prevention skills. Led by our dedicated team, this project aimed to empower participants with knowledge about preserving natural water bodies and the surrounding environment. 

## **Program Activities** 

The SwimTayka Project included various activities and field trips to enhance participants' learning experiences: 

**Passagem Harbour Cleanup (May 6, 2022):** Seventeen participants joined this environmental initiative to plant white mangrove trees and collect litter from the Passagem Harbor area, celebrating International Earth Day. 

**Mangrove Ecosystem Exploration (May 13, 2022):** Forty-two children explored the Rio das Conchas mangrove ecosystem, learning about the unique flora and fauna. The day included a boat ride, followed by swimming practice in a controlled openwater setting. 

**Integrity and Sustainability:** Policies ensured a safe, inclusive, and sustainable environment. 

**Challenges:** Pandemic concerns, a lack of a vaccinated driver, and a hiatus in community activities posed challenges. 



Brazil - SwimTayka 

## **SwimTayka Programme in Itacare In Bahia, Brazil** 

**Conservation Sign Creation (May 25, 2022):** Children and adolescents crafted wooden signs with conservation messages, promoting respect for nature in Itacaré. 

**Water Rescue and CPR Workshop (May 27,** 2022): An essential training session conducted on Concha Beach, instructing the entire ETIV team on water safety, rescue techniques, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

**Celebratory Field Trip to Mata Atlântica** Rainforest (May 28, 2022): To mark the successful completion of the SwimTayka cycle, a field trip to Ribeira Beach included swimming competitions and the hanging of conservation signs along the Prainha Trail. 

## **Efficient Implementation** 

- Classes were scheduled in both morning and afternoon sessions, accommodating children's school schedules. 

- Participants were divided into eight groups based on age, neighbourhood, and school attendance times, allowing for optimised use of resources and volunteers. 

- Collaboration with local organisations, such as Casa do Conto, reduced transport costs, ensuring accessibility for participants. 

## **Integrity and Sustainability** 

- ETIV adhered to policies promoting a safe and inclusive environment, free from discrimination. 

- Team members and volunteers were trained to appreciate the cultural diversity of the communities served. 

- Sustainability principles were embedded in project activities, emphasising respect for nature and society. 

## **Community Involvement** 

The SwimTayka Project positively impacted the lives of 96 children and adolescents from Itacaré's underprivileged neighbourhoods. It instilled valuable swimming and water safety skills, fostered a sense of environmental responsibility, and provided opportunities for community engagement. 

## **Challenges and Outlook** 

36 



Brazil - SwimTayka 

## **SwimTayka Programme in Itacare In Bahia, Brazil** 

While the SwimTayka Project made significant strides, certain challenges limited its reach: 

- Concerns related to the ongoing pandemic affected participation, especially in non-touristic neighbourhoods. 

- The absence of a vaccinated driver hindered our access to rural areas. 

- A two-year hiatus in ETIV's activities within local communities impacted our established reach. 

Despite these challenges, SwimTayka remains committed to expanding its impact, empowering more children, and fostering a culture of water safety and environmental stewardship in the communities we serve. Together, we strive for a safer and more inclusive aquatic world. 

## **Team Collaboration** 

The success of the SwimTayka Project in Itacaré was a collective effort, driven by a passionate and committed team: 

- **Jenifer Jaci Braga:** Founder and Director of ETIV. 

- **Miguel Ariza:** Administration Coordinator. 

- **Fabyane Pagiris:** Accountant. 

- **Ana Catalina Espinoza:** Administration Intern. 

- **Denise de Souza:** Project Coordinator. 

- **Luciana Mota:** Environmental Education Mentor. 

- **Dario Soares:** Professional Life Guard and Swim Instructor. 

- **Jimmy Khai, Emilie Merta, Lucian Wou Smith, and Isaac Brosinski:** ETIV Volunteers. 

37 



## **The water might not be clean, but it won’t stop these kids from fighting for it.** 

Itacare, Southern Bahia in Brazil is one of the top destinations for surfers and tourists from around the world with miles of white-sand beaches and turquoise water. Located where the rainforest and the Atlantic meet, this beautiful city is known for its lively nightlife, welcoming people, and tranquil nature. 

even been to the beach (one of the main attractions of visitors and tourists). She said their faces were glowing. Seeing them have this opportunity to apply the skills they’d been learning in the pool gave her goosebumps. It’s these life-changing moments that inspire the work they do there in Itacare. 

SwimTayka has been partnered with ETIV do Brasil (Education Through International Volunteering in Brazil) in Itacare since their first collaborative programme in 2018. They provide 2 months of swimming lessons, drowning prevention, and environmental education including water stewardship lessons to the local youth. 

ETIV do Brasil works in tandem with local communities and partners to bring these programmes to the local children and those living in nearby villages. Their main focus is on supporting the youth and to empower them to become the next generation of leaders in regards to environmental conservation and development. 

The majority of kids that come to ETIV for the first time have never been swimming or they’ve never been in clean open water. Jaci Braga, Founder and Director of ETIV, told us about an end of programme trip where they took the children to one of the nearby beaches to practice swimming in the ocean. Even though they are from the area, most of them had never 

However, the quality of water for Itacare’s residents is of huge concern. The biggest environmental issues facing the region are a lack of basic sanitation and deforestation, which both affect the water. ETIV has been trying their best to address these but they find themselves and the community going at it alone as there is very little, if any, government support. 

Recently the area around Itacare has been dealing with a couple of environmental disasters. There was an oil spill last year on the coast that they spent over a month trying to clean, the source of which is still a mystery. They also discovered that the river feeding into the nearby mangroves receives garbage and sewage from a mini favela. Only about 50% of households there have basic sanitation services. Most of the waste is flowing straight out to the ocean. Both of these situations are very detrimental to the area and require immediate attention. These projects are too dangerous to involve the children, so instead ETIV has been educating the kids on these issues. 



Brazil Proposal - SwimTayka 

Since April of 2017, ETIV has been partnered with LitWorld and Global Glow, to deliver the HerStory Campaign through the LitClub programme. The mission of the programme is “To inspire girls and support them in creating lives of freedom and fulfillment.” This is achieved through a safe space where they are able to explore their own identities and express themselves through reading, writing, and storytelling. 

The LitClub girls, 10-15 years old, were invited to the SwimTayka programmes to connect them to water stewardship and environmental conservation lessons. Through funding from SwimTayka, they were able to secure additional transportation for students from neighbourhoods further away. It was the first ever LitClub programme to participate in this type of environmental education which made it the largest SwimTayka programme at ETIV. 

Jaci says she hopes to encourage these girls to use their voices to advocate for their communities and for environmental protections in Brazil as human and environmental rights are being ignored. To keep the children involved in current events, they are working on a plan to lift their voices through campaigns on social media and petitions to the government. Their hope is to empower the children to speak up for themselves. 

during the high tourist season and the sewage and trash flowing from the favelas. These blatant displays of discrimination against Itacare’s residents (along with the quality of water) is something that they plan to highlight in campaigns in the near-future, reaching out to local and international communities for support. ETIV wants to make sure that the children know these problems are not their fault but instead it is the responsibility of the government. 

Due to the global pandemic, SwimTayka’s 2020 programmes in Itacare were cancelled but 2021 programmes are currently moving forward in April- May. 

ETIV considers volunteers and interns as a fundamental resource to the success of their programmes and goals. They provide extensive support and guidance to ensure they are getting a valuable experience. Not just a cultural one, but also professional. 

“We believe in the transformative potential of education and we will continue to work with the vital help of our volunteers and partners – national and foreign – in building a more fraternal, just and ecologically sustainable society. The dreams and utopias that led to our foundation are the same ones that continue to guide our paths.” – from the ETIV Manifesto 

In 2019, the LitClub girls participated in the first ever Earth Day event organized by ETIV. They shared stories about their water being shut off 



Brazil Proposal - SwimTayka 

## **ETIV has a new face** 

Who wouldn’t want to learn to swim in here? 

Our lovely partners at ETIV do Brasil have moved into an amazing new property that offers both our children and volunteers some great opportunities. 

There is so much more space including individual and shared apartments for the volunteers. It also includes a beautiful swimming pool that volunteers can use, but that will also serve the community during our SwimTayka programme. 

In addition to this their backyard opens up to the Mangrove forest that they are working hard to protect, replant and restore and they are building new classrooms as we type. 

It is frustrating that we cannot be there at present but we are so excited for the next project. Keep well and safe guys and thank you ETIV do Brasil ! 

On March 1st our Brazil project (ETIV-do-Brasil) moved into their new property that they are calling the “ETIV Complex” or “Sede ETIV” in Portuguese! This offers the volunteers and staff so much more space including individual and shared apartments for their volunteers. It also includes a beautiful swimming pool that volunteers can use, but that will also serve the community during our SwimTayka programming that includes swimming lessons and drowning prevention for local youth. Meanwhile, our backyard opens up to the Mangrove forest that they are working hard to protect, replant and restore. In addition, they have already begun rebuilding our classroom from the materials we brought over from the old property. 




Brazil Proposal - SwimTayka 

## **World Environment Day** 

What are you doing for World Environment Day? We should be out in Brazil delivering (well playing with and teaching children from the favelas) our swim and clean water programmes. ) 

Looking after the environment in which we live, no matter where in the world we are, is essential to our wellbeing. This why in addition to teaching our children drowning prevention skills and techniques we also teach them clean water education. We are nurturing a generation of world citizens who will act as environmental stewards who love, care for and respect the life-giving rivers, lakes and oceans along which they live. 

We envisage a world where children grow up with respect for their environment and understand how their rivers, lakes and oceans are sources of wholesome food, provide their livelihoods and play an important part in maintaining a healthy life free from waterborne illnesses. 

Our projects in Peru along with Otra Cosa Network teach the children about the importance of the Caballito de Totoras, how to make them and how to use them for sustainable fishing to provide food on their tables. 

So please wherever in the world you are, look after your environment, love it, care for it and nurture it and it will look after you. 




",Jamaic

## **Swim Programme in Treasure Beach, Jamaica** 

## **2022 Highlights** 

- Taught over 300 children aged from 5 months to 18 years during the Easter and summer school holidays 

- 8 locally trained swim teachers and lifeguards provided lessons 

- 3 SwimTayka-certified volunteers from the UK assisted for 2 weeks of the program 

- Children progressed through 6 swim proficiency stages - Babies, Seahorses, Crabs, Turtles, Jellyfish, Dolphins 

- Also offered beginner lessons for 17 adults 

- Provided free transportation enabling children from rural areas to attend 

- Feedback from children, parents and teachers was overwhelmingly positive 

The swimming program is designed to teach children aged 4 and above how to swim and be safe in the water. It is run by the charity Likkle Swimmers and takes place in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. 

## **Participants** 

In 2022, the program had 343 participants total. This included 171 girls, 143 boys, and 12 babies aged 5 months to 3 years old. The children ranged in age from 5 months to 18 years old. 

## **Key Stats** 

- 343 students total (171 girls, 143 boys, 12 babies) 

- Each child received 10 lessons per stage 

- 12 babies, 43 seahorses, 179 crabs, 34 turtles, 23 jellyfish, 12 dolphins, 11 sharks 

- 26% of families used the free transportation 




Jamaica - SwimTayka 

## **Jamaica Statistics** 

## **Structure** 

The program is organised into 6 core proficiency stages: 

- Babies (6 months - 3 years) 

- Seahorses (ages 3-4) 

- Crabs (beginners, age 5+) 

- Turtles (intermediate) 

- Jellyfish 

- Dolphins 

- Sharks (most advanced swimmers) 

- 

Each child receives 10 lessons per stage before progressing to the next level. Lessons focus on skills like floating, proper breathing techniques, swimming strokes, and water safety. 

In 2022, participant numbers in each stage were: 

- 12 babies 

- 43 seahorses 

- 179 crabs 

- 34 turtles 

- 23 jellyfish 

- 12 dolphins 

- 11 sharks 

## **Teachers** 

In 2022, there were 8 locally trained swim teachers and lifeguards leading the lessons. Additionally, 3 volunteers certified by SwimTayka assisted for 2 weeks of the program. 

## **Transportation** 

Free transportation is offered to enable children from rural areas to attend lessons. In 2022, 26% of families utilised this transportation service. 

## **Feedback** 

Feedback from children, parents, and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. The program received high marks for teaching valuable skills, boosting confidence in the water, and providing a fun environment 

44 



e.si
*•


## **Swimdo and SwimTayka Bali Project** 

## **2022 Highlights** 

- 10 Volunteers participated in the Swim project in Bali to teach water safety to local children. 

- They each spent two weeks instructing children aged eight to 11 alongside local charity, SwimDo. 

- Despite language barriers, they focused on water survival skills, enhancing teaching methods like introducing rolling exercises. 

- Immersed in local culture, they found the experience rewarding and eye-opening. 

- Encouraging others to volunteer, they are considering volunteering in Brazil for future SwimTayka programmes. 

**Project Vision:** The project aims to teach children to swim and promote water stewardship in Bali, Indonesia, in partnership with Swimdo. It aligns with Swimdo's vision to protect and enrich children's lives through aquatic education. 

**Project Programs:** The project encompasses various programs, including survival swimming, water safety education, CPR and Safe-Save techniques, daycare services, and drowning-related research. 

**Project Outcomes:** The project aims to teach more children to swim and build a sustainable model over five years. It also seeks to raise awareness of water stewardship, safety, and environmental sustainability. 

**Project Objectives:** Teach children aged 9-12 to swim in a two-week programme, increase environmental awareness, and enhance safety in the Keramas Bali community. No near-drowning incidents have occurred among children who attended previous Swimdo lessons. 




Indonesia - SwimTayka 

## **Empowering Children through Swimming and Water Stewardship** 

**Project Description:** The two-week swimming programme runs from Monday to Friday, targeting children aged 4 to 9. SwimTayka recruits volunteer swim teachers, with a minimum of 2 required. Swim assistants are provided locally. Volunteers receive orientation and language training. 

**Project Finances:** SwimTayka provides volunteers, while Swimdo supports them in Indonesia. Volunteer costs include flights, insurance, and optional travel. NGO costs cover programme running, pool expenses, accommodation, food, transport, cultural tours, and more. SwimTayka covers marketing, insurance, child safeguarding training, and police checks. 

**Project Resources:** The project requires various roles, including project sponsor, manager, team lead, community management, driver, swim teachers, swim assistants, and lifeguards. 

47 



Indonesia - SwimTayka 

## **Meet our Bali volunteers: teaching swimming in the tropics** 

For only his second time on a plane, taking a journey of nearly 8,000 miles to help teach children to swim on a tropical island was pretty intrepid for SwimTayka volunteer Brandon Carter. 

But that’s just what he and fellow volunteer Jemima Brimacombe did this summer, when they spent two weeks in Bali, helping with the SwimTayka swim programme. 

They, along with other volunteers, have been working alongside swim instructors and our local partner in Bali – the charity Swimdo – teaching children in the community how to be safe in the water, to help combat the high incidence of drowning. 

Jemima and Brandon were teaching children from the ages of about eight to 11, who spoke very little English, so they learnt some Indonesian and Balinese in order to communicate. 

Brandon said: “It was different to normal swimming teaching that I do. It was less technique focused and more to do with water survival skills. The language barrier was a fun challenge, but we still managed to make a really good connection with them, and the other teachers helped with translation.” 

Jemima is a swimming enthusiast, though but not a qualified instructor, and she was able to support the teachers in the pool, helping get the children confident in the water and learning basic swimming skills. 

Brandon is a student at the University of Sheffield, just going into his third year of a sociology and criminology degree. He also works part-time as a swim teacher, and has been lifeguarding since his teens. 

Jemima, who has completed her degree and Masters, has just taken a year out, working as a research assistant. She soon starts her PhD at the University of Oxford, on the Interdisciplinary Bioscience doctoral training programme. 

“I enjoy open water swimming, which is how I found out about SwimTayka, and like Brandon I wanted to do some travelling this year. I was a bit apprehensive at first, as I’m not a qualified teacher, and as this wasn’t like swimming lessons in the UK, but it went really well,” she said. 

“All the children were so sweet, and wanted to be around us. They were slightly scared at first, but they warmed to us.” 

Brandon was looking for swimming teacher volunteering in the UK, but came across SwimTayka. “I have always wanted to travel, so this seemed a good combination, and a way to get a good insight into a culture. Going to Bali was only my second time on a plane, so I jumped in at the deep end.” 



Indonesia - SwimTayka 

## **Volunteering in Bali** 

Jemima and Brandon were on the programme for two weeks, and the lessons took place in the three pools made available to Swimdo and SwimTayka. 

Brandon said: “They took part in a five-week programme, so our first week with them was on one group’s final week. Then for our second week, there was a new group on their first week. When they came in, most were OK but some were a little anxious. We just needed patience and repetition of the learning, and their nerves fell away.” 

Jemima added: “Some of them were following their siblings, who had been on the programme before, so they had some idea what to do which made them even more excited to come.” 

As well as helping the instructors, Brandon and Jemima found they were able to have an input into the teaching methods. 

Brandon said: “They were asking us if we had any suggestions, so we introduced rolling – so when the children are on their backs, they learn how to roll onto their fronts. I have also noticed that volunteers who came after us have been helpful with ideas and added something new.” 

“People would take us to their houses and their friends’ houses, and they were so welcoming,” said Jemima. “And the food was amazing, with the variety and flavour of it.” 

They’d both recommend the experience to anyone thinking of volunteering, and Brandon even enjoyed the fundraising side, to finance the trip: he completed a walking challenge, hosted a pub quiz and raffled a signed football shirt. “I’d not done any of these things before, so even aside from being in Bali, the build-up process was giving me new experiences and challenges.” 

And would they go back? Brandon said: “I definitely want to volunteer for SwimTayka again. Looking at the programmes, I think Brazil is the most likely. And Jemima agrees. “I’m toying between Jamaica and Brazil, but I think it will be Brazil because of the seasons and weather.” 

If you like the sound of volunteering at one of the many SwimTayka programmes next summer, and helping children learn vital swimming skills that could save their lives, we’d love to hear from you. 

While there, Jemima and Brandon stayed in volunteer lodgings, and became immersed in the local culture and community, getting first hand experience of life on Bali. They stayed on for a few weeks touring the area afterwards, but found their two weeks with SwimTayka the most stimulating. 

49 



## **Empowering Mozambique Through Water** 


## **Introduction** : 

## **Key Achievements** 

- In line with the United Nations resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, we have initiated campaigns and programmes within the countries we operate, raising awareness and advocating for change. 

- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) expressed resource limitations in teaching children to swim. We addressed this need by providing free swimming lessons to school-aged children in lowresource settings. 

The SwimTayka Mozambique Programme is committed to empowering children through swimming and water stewardship. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the programme's achievements, objectives, and financial accountability, reflecting our dedication to transparency and impact. 

## **Programme Achievements:** 

Teaching Swimming and Water Safety Skills: We successfully provided free swimming lessons for school-aged children in low-resource environments, equipping them with essential swimming and water safety skills. 

- Our drowning prevention lessons have not only saved lives but also educated children on responsible water behaviour. 

**Training Bystanders:** Our programme trained bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation techniques, empowering them to act effectively in drowning incidents. 

- Our objectives align with financial and grant-driven efforts, enabling us to effectively deliver training and awareness campaigns. 




## **SwimTayka's Impactful Journey** 

## **Strengthening Public Awareness:** We 

strategically communicated the importance of drowning prevention to the public, enhancing awareness and promoting responsible behaviour around water. 

## **Developing National Water Safety Plans:** 

We actively assisted in developing national water safety plans in the countries where we operate, contributing to overall drowning prevention efforts. 

**Advancing Drowning Prevention:** Our commitment to data collection and welldesigned studies has advanced drowning prevention research, helping us better understand and address this critical issue. 

**Main Goal:** Our primary objective during the school summer holidays was to teach underprivileged children essential swimming and open water education for drowning prevention. We successfully taught 150 to 200 children life-saving skills in swimming and drowning prevention during the months of July and August. 

**Secondary Goal:** In addition to our primary goal, our secondary objective focused on diplomacy. We aimed to build relationships based on trust, collaboration, and shared experiences. Teaching children to swim and fostering water stewardship aligned with our belief in the power of dipomacy to bring positive change, one step at a time. 

**Conclusion:** The SwimTayka Mozambique Programme is dedicated to creating a safer and more water-aware world. We have made significant strides in achieving our objectives, empowering children, and fostering a sense of responsibility towards water. Our commitment to financial transparency ensures that every contribution is used to its fullest potential, maximising the impact of our programmes. We look forward to continued progress and partnership in our mission. 

52 



## **Teaching the teachers: how volunteers are supporting our Mozambique programme** 

A vital part of running programmes with our partner projects around the world is providing quality swim instruction to the children – which is where some of our volunteers come in. 

The focus of our partner in Mozambique – Love the Oceans – is to support the local community in establishing a Marine Protected Area in the Inhambane Province, along the coastline of Guinjata. Teaching swimming is one small part of this bigger project, which is putting environmental concerns for marine life at its heart. 

So recently, SwimTayka trustee Rob Hamilton flew out to spend four weeks at our project in Mozambique, to teach the Love the Oceans swim teachers. Volunteering alongside Rob was Mya Clark, who was out there for two weeks teaching the children to swim. 

Rob’s goal was to help the swimming teachers working with Love the Oceans to learn instruction techniques, so they could get children swimming quickly. 

And he certainly has the credentials. A former international swimming coach, Rob has coached three butterfly swimmers who reached the Sydney Olympics trials in 2000 and he has run a swim school, where 800 children a week were taking part in a learn-to-swim programme. 

Mya, from Lincolnshire, is a qualified lifeguard and swim teacher, and has just graduated from University of Sheffield, where she studied law and criminology. She’s now working with a rehabilitation charity, supporting people coming out of prison, but was looking for a summer experience where she could put her swimming skills to good use. 




## **Carrying water, weaving palm leaves and teaching swimming** 

“I saw the information posted up at university and thought it looked amazing,” she said. “I was going for the Bali project but the dates didn’t work, so picked Mozambique, and it’s incredible.” 

In his first two weeks alone, Rob delivered a swimming teachers’ course and a pool lifeguarding course. 

“Two of the three instructors had little knowledge of teaching at all, so with them I was starting from scratch,” said Rob. “creating strong swimmers teaching is important in the local area to improve on water safety within the community.” 

This is no idle boast – Mya has seen Rob in action! 

For each child, the swimming programme lasts six days, during which time they will go from complete non-swimmer to improver level. Each day, Mya and Rob are teaching 75 children. To reach the pool, many of the children are being collected in the back of a pickup truck – they can get about 44 in each journey, so the kids are literally piled in! 

Mya and Rob don’t speak the local language, Portuguese, but manage to communicate with the children using hand gestures. The other instructors have a good understanding of English, and Pascal – the programme coordinator who will be taking over from Rob – has a good level of English. 

She said: “The swim instructor’s son came to see us, who’s four years old, and Rob really did get him swimming in 20 minutes. It was incredible. I take a bit longer than that, but then Rob has been teaching for a lot more years than me!” 

Children taking part are aged from about four to 15 and Mya found it surprising how little they knew about swimming. 

“We start by getting their confidence up, so they are able to put their heads and faces in the water. As you move on you get them comfortable using a float lying on their back, and front, and then they progress to breathing techniques, breaststroke and so on. They are not shy of us at all, they are very keen to learn.” 

Both Mya and Rob have thoroughly enjoyed their experience and would recommend it anyone thinking of volunteering. They hope to return in the future. 

Rob said: “I’ll be coming back next year to develop the programme, but in the meantime Pascal will oversee it. The level of hospitality is incredible. We all sit down together for a meal at the end of the day. There are lots of people here doing different things – microbiologists, marine biologists and so on – but it’s important to Francesca, who runs Love the Oceans, that we all mix in together.” 

54 



TAYKA
Our Control
Measures

Trusteesʼ Annual Report Control Measures 

## **Principles and Safeguarding** 

## **Principal Risks and Uncertainties** 

SwimTayka operates in low resource communities across the world, often in the face of difficult communications, security, logistics and financial challenges. In delivering all of our objectives we face significant challenges every day. We have robust procedures to evaluate, design and implement effective measures to reduce both the likelihood and the potential impact of these risks occurring. 

Our volunteers undertake a risk assessment for each and every project every year, in order to mitigate for any risks anticipated at each location we operate. 

Number of accidents/injuries reported to SwimTayka during 2022 was Zero 

## **Safeguarding policy** 

We remain committed to safeguarding  not only the children, but our volunteers too. We have a robust Safeguarding children policy which is reviewed each year. We also  provide the following courses to our volunteers: 

## Introduction to Safeguarding Children Training Course (Level 1 Safeguarding) 

This course aims to help learners understand their responsibilities for safeguarding children. It explains how to recognise and respond to abuse, how to respond to a disclosure, and how to report and record concerns. 

## Advanced Safeguarding Children (Level 2 Safeguarding) 

This Advanced Safeguarding Children course aids those who work frequently with children and/or families to learn more about child protection procedures and responsibilities, including recognising and reporting abuse, the safeguarding structure and what happens after a referral to social care is made. 

## Designated Safeguarding Officer Training (Level 3 Safeguarding Children) 

This Designated Safeguarding Person course helps those with a designated child protection role to learn more about their responsibilities in regards to promoting good safeguarding practices in the workplace, recognising and responding to abuse, working with other services and sharing information. 

Number of  safeguarding concerns raised during any our our programmes during 2022 was zero 

56 



Trustees’ Annual Report Control Measures 

## **Volunteers and Partners** 

## **Volunteer Selection** 

It is important that the volunteers who come to work with SwimTayka can be entrusted with the care of children as well as  fully believing in our values and mission. 

To achieve a good quality selection of volunteers we request the following for those who work on our programmes: 

- A clear Criminal Background check 

- Professional Qualifications verified 

- Background references checked 

- Criteria for recruiting volunteers: 

   - Passion for water/water activities 

   - Experiences on outdoor event swimming 

   - Working as a teaching assistant in schools 

   - knowledge of environmental issues 

   - can-do attitude 

## **Partnerships** 

As an independent organisation, SwimTayka is keen to collaborate with other charitable organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or other organisations in waterside communities where there exists a need for education in the skills and principles of drowning prevention, water safety, swimming, environmental education and water stewardship. 

As our programmes evolve, we strive to follow certain criteria and guidelines for selecting the organisations with which we partner and the projects on which we engage. 

As a general principle we approach partnering holistically, taking into consideration personal safety, community needs, project location, comparative costs, collaborative relationships among organisations, and a general subjective feel for things. 

The background due-diligence we perform  of potential partnerships covers: 

- Location 

- Safety of our volunteers 

- Mandatory criteria 

   - They must be a registered charity, NGO or non-profit organisation 

   - They must be geographically located in a waterside community 

   - They must have programmes in place that serves disadvantaged children 

   - They must have a strong presence  in the community they serve 

   - Safety protocols in place for staff, volunteers and the individuals is crucial 

57 



Trustees’ Annual Report Control Measures 

## **Finances** 

## **Where does our What do we money come spend our from? money on?** 

Nothing can function without money, unfortunately.  We keep our costs as low as possible to give maximum benefit to our programmes. We are proud to say that overall we have spent under £50k last year. We continually seek external funding, as without funding we quite simply could not do what we do. 

We hold fundraising events which are all related to our cause. These include facilitating swimming the English Channel relay teams, raising sponsorship through a local swimming race, or  triathlons. 

Our supporters and volunteers are the backbone of SwimTayka, and we continue to look for support from individuals, trusts and foundations, and other donors who fund our work. 

A diverse and sustainable funding source will help us to grow and save more children from accidental drowning around the world. 

During non-pandemic times we spent 77% of our funds go directly to helping children on our projects. This includes providing transportation to pools, hire of pools, purchase of equipment etc so that our projects are completely free and inclusive for the children. As we are dependent on donations, some money is also spent on advertising and otherwise seeking donations such as stands at  events. We try to minimise all costs as much as possible so that as much money as possible can be spent educating children and preventing drowning. 

Being accountable for the impact of our work SwimTayka is committed to ensuring that we are accountable to those with whom we work. We: 

- Report data on the numbers of people and communities reached by our programmes 

- Complete review exercises to understand – and speak about – our outcome achievements as well as our challenges, and how we deal with them 

- Undertake evaluations to assess our overall strategies, test the core assumptions about how SwimTayka contributes to social change and assess our effectiveness in different contexts, and consult with key stakeholders to gather their insights and assessments about our overall efforts. 

58 



Trustees’ Annual Report Control Measures 

## **Our Plans for 2023** 

With three successful years now behind us, we plan to expand in 2023 and reach out to more children around the world, and support more organisations to deliver swimming lessons and environmental water stewardship education. To do this, we recognise we need to bring more expertise into the organisation around: 

- Strategic Planning 

- Fundraising 

- Events Management 

- Campaign Management 

- Legal 

- Policymaking 

Some of this recruitment is well under way already and  plans for the remaining recruitment are afoot. 

59 



Accounts 





SwimTayka Accounts for the year to 31[st] December 2022 

## **Consolidated Statement** of Financial Activities 


61 



SwimTayka Accounts for the year to 31[st] December 2022 

## **Projects and Cash** Position 

||**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2022**|**2021**|**2020**|**2019**|**2018**|
|**Cash at bank**|**16,876**<br>**£**|**33,891**<br>**£**|**16,843**<br>**£**|**14,311**<br>**£**|**123**<br>**-£**|
|English Channel<br>Events<br>Volunteers<br>General<br>Gift Aid|36,381<br>£<br>8,466<br>£<br>17,463<br>£<br>36,690<br>£<br>12,852<br>£|21,998<br>£<br>9,120<br>£<br>-<br>£<br>3,170<br>£|22,974<br>£<br>-<br>£<br>-<br>£<br>9,576<br>£|11,537<br>£<br>-<br>£<br>5,081<br>£<br>11,915<br>£|9,892<br>£<br>318<br>£<br>-<br>£<br>8,155<br>£|
|**Total receipts**|**98,999**<br>**£**|**34,288**<br>**£**|**32,550**<br>**£**|**28,533**<br>**£**|**18,365**<br>**£**|
|Projects<br>Staging fundraising events<br>Incurred seeking donations<br>Advertising and publicity<br>Insurance<br>Fees on donations<br>Other tradingactivities|15,503<br>-£<br>-<br>£<br>21,209<br>-£<br>13,678<br>-£<br>1,111<br>-£<br>97<br>-£<br>14,280<br>-£|-<br>£<br>-<br>£<br>12,920<br>-£<br>15,452<br>-£<br>1,202<br>-£<br>24<br>-£<br>21,706<br>-£|2,660<br>-£<br>340<br>-£<br>8,100<br>-£<br>3,367<br>-£<br>273<br>-£<br>484<br>-£<br>277<br>-£|12,493<br>-£<br>9,837<br>-£<br>308<br>-£<br>1,600<br>-£<br>1,036<br>-£<br>623<br>-£<br>104<br>-£|1,307<br>-£<br>1,300<br>-£<br>-<br>£<br>1,165<br>-£<br>159<br>-£|
|**Totalpayments**|**65,878**<br>**-£**|**51,304**<br>**-£**|**15,501**<br>**-£**|**26,001**<br>**-£**|**3,931**<br>**-£**|
|**Net of receipts/(payments)**|**62,850**<br>**£**|**16,876**<br>**£**|**33,891**<br>**£**|**16,843**<br>**£**|**14,311**<br>**£**|




62 



SwimTayka Accounts for the year to 31[st] December 2022 

## **Donations and Costs** 



63 



SwimTayka Accounts for the year to 31[st] December 2022 



64 



Trusteesʼ Annual Report Acknowledgements 

## Acknowledgements 

SwimTayka is immensely grateful to the individuals and donor partners who supported our work throughout the year. Their contributions have made a significant impact, enabling us to provide swimming and water safety programs to underserved communities and create positive change. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for their dedication and generosity in helping us fulfil our mission of promoting water education and safety worldwide. With their continued support, we are confident in our ability to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for being a part of our journey towards a safer and more inclusive aquatic environment. 

## **Our Project Partners** 


- Otra Cosa Network 

- ETIV-do-Brasil 

- Love the Oceans 

- Swimdo 

- Likkle Swimmers 


## **Supporting organisations** 

- Zoggs 

- STA 

- Princess Charlene of Monaco 

- Dover Channel Training 



In our efforts to maintain our accountability to stakeholders, we continue to include statistical information throughout this report. Given the breadth and depth of our work, we acknowledge the difficulties in measuring this; we have used our own monitoring systems to compile the data, and figures have been rounded as appropriate. We have worked hard to avoid any double counting when identifying the numbers of people we reach, however, there is likely to be some overlap between specific activities, as some individuals will be supported in more than one area of our work. We value your feedback on the information contained in this annual report. Please contact feedback@swimtayka.org with any comments or suggestions you may have. 

65 




SwimTayka, a charity registered in England and Wales (registered number 1176079).  Its objects and powers are set out in its Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation for SwimTayka 

All photos and material in the report have permission to be used by SwimTayka 

SwimTayka is a registered Trademark 

**Teaching The Life Skills Of Swimming And Water Stewardship** 




**Charity Name No (if any)** 

## **Receipts and payments accounts** 

## **CC16a** 

**For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01-Jan-22 31-Dec-22 

## **Section A Receipts and payments** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Unrestricted  Restricted funds Endowment  Total funds Last year<br> to the nearest      £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £<br>A1 Receipts<br>Donations and gifts                          98,903                                   -                                     -                             98,903                         30,328<br>Gift aid                          12,852                                   -                                     -                             12,852                           3,960<br>                                   -                                   -                                     -                                     -<br>                                   -                                   -                                     -                                     -<br>                                   -                                   -                                     -                                     -<br>                                   -                                   -                                     -                                     -<br>                                   -                                   -                                     -                                     -<br>                                   -                                   -                                     -                                     -<br>Sub total  (Gross income for AR)                         111,755                                   -                                     -                           111,755                         34,288<br>A2 Asset and investment sales,<br>Bank balance                                    -                                     -                                   -                           33,891<br>                                   -                                     -                                     -                                   -                                     -<br>Sub total                                     -                                     -                                     -                                   -                           33,891<br>Total receipts                   111,755                               -                               -                         111,755                    68,179<br>A3 Payments<br>Expenditure on charitable activities1                         15,503                                  -                                    -                            15,503                                -<br>Staging fundraising events                                   -                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>Incurred seeking donations                         21,209                                  -                                    -                            21,209                        12,920<br>Advertising, marketing, direct mail and                          13,678                                  -                                    -                            13,678                        15,452<br>Other trading activities                         15,390                                  -                                    -                            15,390                        22,931<br>                                  -                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>                                  -                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>                                  -                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>                                  -                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>Sub total                         65,780                                  -                                    -                            65,780                        51,303<br>A4 Asset and investment<br>                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>                                  -                                    -                                    -                                  -<br>Sub total                                   -                                    -                                    -                                  -                                    -<br>Total payments                     65,780                               -                               -                          65,780                    51,303<br>Net of receipts/(payments)                     45,975                             -                               -                        45,975                    16,876<br>A5 Transfers between funds                              -                             -                              -                                    -                             -<br>A6 Cash funds last year end                      16,876                             -                              -                        16,876                           -<br>Cash funds this year end                     62,851                             -                               -                       62,851                    16,876<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Categories Details  Unrestricted  Restricted funds  Endowment<br>to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £<br> Cash funds<br>                         62,851                                   -                                   -<br>                                 -                                   -<br>                                 -                                     -                                   -<br> Total cash funds                       62,851                              -                              -<br>(agree balances with receipts and payments<br>account(s)) OK OK OK<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**B1 Cash funds** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**Restricted funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**to nearest £**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|
|---|---|---|



**Details** 

**B2 Other monetary assets** 

11/05/2023 

CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 

1 



|Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of<br>**B4 Assets retained for the**<br>**charity’s own use**<br>**B3 Investment assets**<br>**B5 Liabilities**|**Details**<br>**Details**<br>Signature<br>**Details**|**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which asset**<br>**belongs**<br>**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which asset**<br>**belongs**<br>**Cost (optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Fund to which**<br>**Amount due**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>Print Name|**-**<br>**Current value**<br>**(optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**Current value**<br>**(optional)**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**When due (optional)**<br>Date of approval|
|---|---|---|---|



11/05/2023 

CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 

2 



CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Ind•p¢nd•nt Examinèrfs Repc
Report to the tnJst¢¢sl
memljers of
SWI M1/iyirA
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basi¥ of rèport of ihe ac£ounts in act(Kdance wilh the requwemenl¥ of the Charities Ad
2011 rtr￿ Acr).
I repc¥t n rtspect of rny exymwHti(￿ of the Tru31's accounls carrled oul
under sccti¢)n 145 01 Ihe 2011 Ad and in c8rryiTr3 Out m¥ examinali￿1, I
have follow*d thc applicable Diroth"ons givèn by the Charity Commi5SK
under sect￿￿ 145(5)Ibl of the Act.
I havè cornplotod my ¢xaminalion. I confimi that no malenal mallors h)ve
come lo my attention (other Ihan th91 disclose¢ below ') In ￿￿Tre￿i0n with
the examinab'on vthich 9ivos me causo to beli•vo tr￿t in, any matèrial
re$poct'.
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accounts do nc4 ¥Lc*d with th¢ rff(wds
I have no concems have wne aGTOSS no othw matter5 In C￿￿Tle￿￿￿)
with tho oxaminxlion to vkni¢h attent￿n should dravm In order to anable
propor Uf¥der%randing ol the accnunts to be roached.
. Ploa3v ddote the W￿d5 in Iho brnckèfs if they do not appty.
the Accounts of the aiy)vo
I•Kl•pendant
•xamln•rfs statgment
Sign•d:
Nam*.. l 6HRIsToei4LR
QArfro
WATcH￿VI
R•levJnt professional
qualifiutlon(s) or body
Irf any)..
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IAATCHMAN AccouNTANTS UMITED
Will￿￿(+ SN15 YJD
Cornr￿11￿ No 138CL)518
October 2018
IER
T¥ rt12<g ofA05?

Section B
Dlsd05ure
Only compleie rf Ihc oxaminer needs lo l)iyhlight matters ol (.'i)nr.em Isco CC32,
Inde￿ndon1 •x8mlnakn'¢)n d tharity accounts. directK)ns and gu*thnce for
exarnineTrl.
Give her¢ bfi•f d•t•ils of
•ny it•ms that th•
examinor wTr&h•s to
disclose.
IER
October 2018