Splash

The school helps Foreign Domestic Workers learn how to swim and be safe in the water. By the end of our beginner programme, our aim is for every participant to swim 25 metres unassisted. We also run intermediate programmes for those who have completed the beginner course and are keen to continue.

Why is this important?

A Red Cross survey found that only 44% of the US population knew basic water safety skills.  That percentage may be considerably lower in developing countries.  Drowning is the third largest cause of unintentional death worldwide according to the World Health Organisation.  Of the 372,000 who drowned in 2012, 91% were from low and middle-income countries and over half occurred in the Western Pacific and South East Asia.

Our programmes are free for participants, the overwhelming majority of whom are on relatively low incomes and send most of their earnings from Hong Kong to support their families in the Philippines, Indonesia and other Western Pacific / South East Asian countries. 

These programmes will:

• ensure more are safe in the water and reduce the risk of drowning;
• allow participants to enjoy swimming and improve health and well-being;
• develop confidence and self-esteem in and out of the water by learning an essential life skill; and
• keep children they look after safe in the water. 
• demonstrate that Hong Kong is a caring society that values the contribution Foreign Domestic workers make to the culture and economy