Help Save Lives in Africa!

The end of the summer is always bittersweet for me.  As kids go back to school and swimming lesson chaos settles down, I transition into fall with a fresh perspective thinking, “What’s next? Who needs my skills?”

So there I am- contemplating the next step, when I receive an e-mail asking me to go to Uganda for Africa Water Safety Outreach 2017, an initiativej aimed at sharing Water Safety Education and Drowning Prevention in Africa.


As I drink my purified spring water, I read that 95% of children fetch water for their home livelihood from valley dams, open wells, rivers, lakes and other open water sources. In 97% of African districts, children cross rivers and other water bodies as they walk to school. They are exposed to drowning risks every day.
They asked for help from Face in Water. I know the World Health Organization Drowning Statistics. This breaks my heart. What can I do?

Feeling at least a little useful, I tell them I can send swimming and water safety curriculum for the event. They thank me and tell me more about the event:
– 9 African countries are attending the outreach
– 300 children will learn how to swim
– 50 adults will learn to swim and be trained as swim instructors

Then they ask me the perfect question at the perfect time…
“Can you or a member of your organization be able to travel to Africa to help?” 
 

Uhhhhh…no! Yes? Yes! How can I say no? Here I am looking for purpose and it came right to me. If there is one thing I can help with, it is teaching children how to swim and training instructors.

I think of these sweet children, making their way to Lake Victoria so they can provide water for the family. I think of the kids walking miles to school because their desire to learn is strong enough to cross rivers. Because water and education are valued.

I ask about funding for the long trip to Africa. They explain that I will need to be a volunteer, as they are fundraising to provide accommodations for the 50 Instructor Trainees so they don’t have to canoe 30+ miles daily for the training. I laugh to myself about my first-world problems and assure them that I will be there. Especially if someone is willing to canoe 30 miles a day to learn from me!

Face in Water (501c3) is sending me to Uganda, Africa September 30. It’s the next logical step. I can change drowning statistics. I don’t have much time, but I know I can do this with some help. Just a share or a like or a forward. Advice on traveling in Africa. Positive vibes and thoughtful prayers. Mosquito repellent. Anything and everything helps. All donations are tax-deductible. 
Thank you.

Every donation helps!This is a VOLUNTEER effort, so money raised will cover travel expenses, preparations, accomodations and food.