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On the swimming project we have been busy. March 21st saw our first presentation of certificates. It was held at Palm Forest where we have had a pump repaired, in exchange, the owner is allowing us to use his swimming pool if we continue to maintain it. Thirty three children with their parents gathered to receive their certificates. Certificates awarded comprised of 10metre, 5 metre, ASA Level 1, without use of flotation aids, Level 2,3 and 4.These children attended daily, worked incredibly hard and were a delight to teach.

A new group of children have been recruited from a local school in Welligama and will begin lessons on April 25th. They will taught in the pool of a hotel, the "Crystal Villa". The instructor is Mr Yasarathna who is a very experienced swimming teacher.

Over in Palm Forest, I have concentrated on teaching girls and women over the age of 12yrs. I felt that this is was as area that needed addressing. Women in the southern part of Sri Lanka have never had the opportunity to learn to swim. This is mainly due to their culture, lack of facilities and no female swimming teachers in this area. Following the tsunami I found that once women knew that someone was prepared to teach them and respect their culture, I suddenly find that I actually have a waiting list.

After my first group of younger swimmers, it made sense to me to target a local school and draw my potential swimmers from the female teaching staff. I'd like to add that these school teachers range from 37yrs to 50yrs and I will always be grateful to them that they have placed such faith in me and my ability to teach them what pleasure there is in learning to swim. Swimming lessons start at 2.15 and continue until sometimes 6pm. After only, on average, 8 lessons, without exception all of these girls/ladies can now stay afloat, be in deep water without fear and kick on their backs or fronts to safety.

We are now concentrating more on technique. The hope is that their new found confidence in the water may be passed onto the younger girls in their care too. The children between 8yrs and 12yrs will start their lessons next week at the Crystal Villa pool, once they have returned to school following the end of year break.

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