In Cambodia drowning is the leading cause of death in children. Over 1,900 children are estimated to die from drowning every year. Most children drown before age Four, in rural areas with in 20 meters of their homes. Drowning occurs in very young children who escape supervision of their caretakers and play and drown in unprotected water sources. Their caretakers are often unaware of the drowning f
or hours. They often swim alone or with same aged peers who do not have swimming, rescue or resuscitation skills around 500 Meters or more from their home. They drown in the community, but without any rescue from community members. Our mission at Safe Waters Cambodia is to combat this wide spread and relatively unknown epidemic by teaching basic swimming, proper water safety, rescue and resuscitation skills while simultaneously campaigning for community and global awareness. We intend on working with local schools and organizations to reach children in need of these crucial life skills. Our swim workshops will provide much needed Water Safety Education, Survival Swimming instruction, Resuscitation(CPR) and Safe Rescue skills to local children ages 4-18. These small and well staffed swim groups will focus on the individual needs of the kids as well as water dangers facing each different age group. Each group will consist of one volunteer swim instructor, local Khmer translator and 5 children of a similar age group. Proper swim education and water safety will not only physically save these children from drowning, it will also improve and enrich the quality of their lives.
