In summer, along with excitement and cheer, parents worry about injuries, especially drowning, when children swim. Therefore, provincial Department of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (LISA) has paid much attention to swimming lessons, competitions for children in the province.
Swimming courses “bloom”
At Minh Vy swimming pool in Uyen Hung ward, Tan Uyen town, there were over 100 children attend swimming lessons. The children were divided into small groups in order for instructors to teach swimming. Free swimming classes had participants comprising children of poor households, orphans, and wandering children aged 8 - 12. Mr. Quang Thanh Hoi Quang, official managing children of Tan Uyen town, said, in summer, municipal LISA Bureau cooperated with Minh Vy swimming pool to open swimming courses for children from May 29th until the end of June with about 12 sessions. After course, 6 good swimmers were selected for provincial swimming contest 2015.
Many other LISA Bureaus of localities also announced enrollment of free swimming courses for children. Di An town had more than 120 children registering for swimming courses. Dau Tieng district had about 40 children, Thuan An town had 3 classes with over 100 children… Mr. Phan Duc Tin, Deputy Head of Ben Cat town LISA Bureau, said, in 2014, they opened swimming classes for 40 children. This summer, they have not opened any course yet , because the number of registered children was low. Mr. Tin explained, the town had many children are eligible for free swimming lessons, but parents do not have time to pick up when children participate in these classes. Thus, the bureau will organize swimming course at swimming pools in communes having the largest number of participants.
Children attended free swimming lessons organized by Tan Uyen town LISA Bureau.
Besides free swimming lessons, swimming pools, such as: Binh Duong New City, Thanh Le, Youth Activity Center… have regularly enrolled for swimming courses with reasonable prices. Socialization of swimming courses has contributed to the implementation of drowning prevention at children program. 12-year-old Le Thi Cat Phuong living at quarter 1, Phu Loi ward, TDM City said: “I love to go to swimming class. As learning swimming, I’m able to soak in cool water on hot summer days, and meet new friends. Due to instructions of my teacher, I can swim now. Now I know how to swim, I’m not afraid of drowning and exercise better”.
Bringing "life jacket" for children
Children are future owners of the country. Besides facilitating overall growth, we must have effective measures to prevent accidents and injuries for children. Drowning is one of the most common causes of death at children. Drowning accidents occuring in the province have been indeed an pressing issue in the community. Therefore, PPC approved a plan to prevent and combat drowning of the 2013-2015 period. By 2015, the province strives to reduce ¼ the number of drowned children compared with year 2011 (24 children). Accordingly, Department of LISA has held free swimming classes, swimming competitions, drowning prevention training for officials…
During free swimming lessons, children were taught how to move, breathe, many swimming styles. Units also gave training of first aid, lifesaving techniques for collaborators, volunteers, health officials, cadres. Ms. Nguyen Thi Chau living in An Son commune, Thuan An town having one 10-year-old son attending free swimming class said, An Son commune had many canals, so she was scared every time her son played with friends. She said, the swimming class not only provided life skills but also helped her son to be more self-confident, discover new, useful abilities for himself.
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Truc, Chief of Children Protecting and Caring Office under Department of LISA, said, implementing drowning prevention at children program, in 2014, the unit performed propaganda of drowning prevention; directed localities to organize 112 discusses about injuries and drowning prevention for 1,680 children of secondary schools. Localities have also opened swimming classes for children.
Reported by T.Ly – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
