COACH SWIMMING TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN MOMBASA, KENYA

COACHING SWIMMING IN AFRICA? WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! This project is truly rewarding because very few children in Africa get the chance to learn how to swim! You'll be based near the beautiful Island of Mombasa where it is important for children to learn to swim on account of their close proximity to the ocean and the dangers for non-swimmers.

Also on this page:

• Accommodation

• About Mombasa

• Travel and Support

PROJECT OVERVIEW
When you think of Kenya and sports, your initial thoughts will go to those long distance Kenyan athletes who win the Gold at every Olympic games and win marathons all over the world. You don't think of Kenya and swimming. The sad fact is that there are hardly any swimming pools in schools (or in Kenya) for children to learn how to swim, let alone swimming coaches or teachers.

Swimming is seen as an elitist sport for tourists and the rich, but now you have the opportunity to bring this "elitist" sport to disadvantaged children - you will make a difference!

Mombassa is situated on the coast, so it is essential for children to learn how to swim because many children suffer fatal accidents each year when trying to swim in the sea. If you volunteer on this project, it will hopefully do something to reduce these terrible accidents.

This project is a truly rewarding one as the children you will be coaching will have never had a proper swimming coach before who can teach them the correct techniques involved with swimming. Also, you'll not only be coaching the children a sport, but also an important life skill as well.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in Kenya.

• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
   

There will be slight school variations on the above school dates, as well as approximately one week examination periods at the end of every term. During this time your help is needed with the examinations and with the marking of papers. Different schools have slight changes to the dates of closing and opening but they do not deviate by more than a week or at most two, so if you're thinking of doing this project please speak to us about exact dates.

FREE SWIMMING COACHING MANUAL
As a volunteer swimming coach with Travellers you'll be provided with a coaching manual specifically for your swimming coaching placement. We also have additional manuals that cover things like warming-up exercises, all very useful for your placement.

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Teaching the children to dive

Some of the children you will coach!

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

IN MOMBASA: Your accommodation will vary, depending on which school you're placed in. We have different types of accommodation, but you will most likely live with a local family. Volunteers and family members frequently become very good friends and even stay in touch once the volunteers have left the country. Living with a family also gives you the opportunity to experience the true African experience from the inside and not just as a "tourist" on the surface of the country.

My family were fantastic and went beyond their duties to make me welcome. Njeri [Travellers' Mombasa Organiser] was always helpful should I need anything."
Caroline Chadwick, on her placement in Mombasa

When accommodation is limited, we occasionally place volunteers in a local Guest House which is very comfortable and convenient for access into town. Occasionally the houses that we use may change owing to availability, so the facilities you can expect may change accordingly.

Your school may be within walking distance, which will enable you to go home for lunch if you want to. Many Kenyans choose to eat locally for lunch on roast meat called "nyama choma" - a delicacy that you'll talk about for a long time!

"I learnt about the country and the people who live there. I think more so than a lot of other volunteers because I was on my own and therefore tended to mix with the locals rather than other volunteers. Living with a family also encouraged this."