After a drowning, swim lessons help calm refugee parents’ fears


August 8, 2012

Paw (8), Sandy (5) and Aung (9), brothers from Burma, learn a basic swim stroke along with their new friend Shahin (6) from Iran. Photo: Dawn Ippolito, LSS-SW

Paw (8), Sandy (5) and Aung (9), brothers from Burma, learn a basic swim stroke along with their new friend Shahin (6) from Iran. Photo: Dawn Ippolito, LSS-SW

Phoenix, Ariz. — Refugee children new to the United States may never have learned to swim, let alone seen a swimming pool.  That can make the pool at their apartment complex all the more fascinating – and dangerous, even fatal, as it was earlier this year for a refugee child resettled to Phoenix, Ariz.

The child’s drowning a couple months ago heightened anxiety among refugee parents and among refugee resettlement professionals responsible for helping refugee families get a solid, safe start in Phoenix.  Mar Mar, a refugee mother from Burma, said, “I worry about my children running into the pool and drowning.”

In response, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW), the Church World Service refugee resettlement affiliate in Phoenix, applied for and won a Refugee Safety Grant from the Arizona State Department of Economic Security through the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement.

“The grant pays for swim suits, sunscreen and a very reasonable fee for instructors and lifeguards” from the YMCA of Phoenix, said LSS-SW Church and Community Development Manager the Rev. Donna Buckles.  “Now, for the first time, we are offering swimming lessons for refugee children.”

Buckles explained how the lessons work.  “LSS-SW Children’s Services Coordinator, Melissa Cheng, visited parents to explain the need for lessons and to have them sign waivers – permission forms to allow the children to take the lessons.”

Swim classes started June 11.  Each pool has a lifeguard as well as two instructors and a staff person from LSS-SW overseeing the activities.  Children aged 5-14 have taken the classes so far.

One of the first to begin swim lessons was Ka Lu, a 13-year-old Karen girl.  She helps to round up the younger children who are in the classes.  Ka Lu added, “Wow the bathing suits are so pretty!” as she chose a bright purple tie dye one piece.

“The children have all improved in their swimming ability since the first day,” Cheng said.  Confirmed seven-year-old Thute from Burma, “Every time I get better a little bit. Maybe I can be the best swimmer in the world!”

Sui, an eight year old Chin girl, was a bit apprehensive about jumping into the water at first but gained confidence every day and is now full of giggles as she learns the new swimming strokes.

“We are hoping to reach about 50-60 children this summer at various apartment complexes,” Buckles said.  “Pool safety has always been a general worry for us.  We really wanted to ensure that our little clients know how to swim so no tragedy occurs over an issue that could have been fixed with something as simple as swimming lessons and water safety classes.”

Mar Mar, for one, is relieved.  “I am so happy my children can take swimming lessons,” she said.  “It makes me feel better.”