Nile Swimmers

Working to stop drowning in Africa

#WCDP2019

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The World Conference on Drowning Prevention is here again.  The two years between conferences seem to pass faster and faster.  The Nile Swimmers team are excited to attend, and to present two papers, and one workshop. We are mostly excited because, for the first time ever, the conference is being held in the continent of Read More

Our actions – the Vancouver Declaration

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Shortly after the World Drowning Prevention Conference 2017 in Vancouver, we contributed to the drafting of a Conference Declaration on Drowning Risk Reduction of Migrants and Refugees. This Declaration contained seven statements, each supported by several actions. In this post, we will highlight the actions that Nile Swimmers are currently taking, and the actions we Read More

The Vancouver Declaration on Drowning Risk Reduction of Migrants and Refugees
بیان فانكوفر حول الحد من مخاطر الغرق للمھاجرین واللاجئین

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In her presentation to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention, Ms Tima Kurdi issued a challenge to the drowning prevention community.  The world we choose, reflects the actions we take. I’m here to plant the seed of hope. In order for that seed to grow, we must use our voices. Nile Swimmers were pleased Read More

#WDP36 – How to be an ally

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Building on the incredible wave of support for the #WDP36 initiative that was started by Dr Rebecca Sindall in the run up to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention. Dr Sindall has been writing again, offering advice to men. Over the years that we have been involved in the world of lifesaving and drowning prevention, Read More

#WDP36 – Not just a popularity contest

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After the efforts of a small group of women at the World Conference of Drowning Prevention 2017, the team at Nile Swimmers is really excited to see that the first “Women in Drowning Prevention” #WDP36 list has been published today. The purpose is not a popularity contest.  The purpose is to provide an easily accessible Read More

The Inspirational Impact of Olympic Athletes

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Here at Nile Swimmers, we are obviously fans of swimming.  We saw two news stories this morning which prompted a few thoughts. The first was Singpaorian Joseph Schooling won GOLD by beating Michael Phelps, Chad Le Clos, and László Cseh who ALL got silver in the mens 100m butterfly. Joseph Schooling had competed at the Read More

The importance of the Nile

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The White Nile is wide and slow here in Kosti, with shallow banks that suddenly drop off into deep water. Some sort of water lily type of flower indicates the shallower waters, and this is where the Sea Scouts come to swim, the rickshaw drivers come to clean their rickshaws, and kids come to play. Read More

The dedication of our volunteers (part 1)

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For over nine years we have worked in Sudan.  “Khawaijas” (the Arabic word for foreigner) always stand out, and always attract the watchful eye of the mysterious and powerful National Security.  Thankfully, up until now, we’ve never had a problem. However, foreigners working in a South Sudanese refugee camp was a step too far.  Our Read More

Rescue boat training – observations on teaching challenges

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There were many parallels between teaching swiftwater boat operators in the UK, and in the Sudan.  There were many differences too (not least, expressing my worries that a screwed up carrier bag wasn’t an appropriate cap for a fuel-tank). One of the things that struck me the most was a teaching challenge that I’ve certainly Read More

Rescue Boat training with the Sudanese Civil Defence

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Since our very first course over 9 years ago, we have been working with the Civil Defence to improve safety around the Nile in Sudan.  The first few courses had a few people from the Civil Defence participating, but in a relatively unstructured ad-hoc way, without a clear route for cascading training or a longer-term Read More

Locally driven by a local need

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I’ve been in Sudan for about a week now, having meeting after meeting with various organisations that we are developing relationships with.  This is the first time, that I’ve landed in Sudan with time scheduled for meetings before the training starts, and indeed after the training finishes.  We made a decision that as the costs Read More

The Nile – a view from the air

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During the many trips that I have taken into Sudan, I don’t  remember spending much time looking out of the window.  On this flight, the in-flight entertainment system was not working, and so after reading, I spent a lot of time looking out of the window, and thinking about the work we have to do in Read More

Sustainability Part 2 – The lifeguard’s multi-tool?

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This is the second post of a three-part series, check out the first post here. In this post, we want to talk about the humble plastic container (known in Arabic as a jerricana). We can source a top quality, mint condition jerricana (with a cap) in Khartoum for the princely sum of 5 SDG (equivalent Read More

What we mean when we talk about “sustainability”. Part 1 of 3

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As a drowning prevention organisation working in Africa, we are often caught in the middle of requests coming from both sides. Often, we get organisations in the UK offering to donate equipment to be flown over to the country we are working in.  This might be small things like whistles or swimming hats, but sometimes Read More

A strategic approach to sustainable drowning prevention in LMICs

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For many years, I have been against teaching lifeguard courses in swimming pools in LMICs. For me, the turning point came when working with the “Future Leaders of Lifesaving in Africa” hosted by the RNLI in Zanzibar.  I had five different people from different countries approach me and ask if it was possible to develop Read More

Q. Why did the Dutch Ambassador cross the Nile?

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A.  To raise global awareness of drowning prevention and womens’ rights. So, it’s maybe not the best punchline to a joke ever… but actually, this is no laughing matter. On the 21st of November the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, six other Dutch women, and seven Sudanese women swam across the Blue Nile, finishing Read More

Statement on refugee drowning deaths

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Nile Swimmers are horrified by the significant increase in deaths by drowning in the Mediterranean and the Bay of Bengal.  Across the world, millions of people are left with no option but to cross water to flee from bombings, fighting and persecution in their homelands.  These people are some of the most vulnerable in the Read More

October Project – the numbers

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This has been a funny few days.  Becky travelled back to the UK a few days ago, and slowly my teaching commitments are ending, and project ending meetings are taking places.  Meetings planning work for 2016 are happening, and people are starting to say goodbye. With ever visit, we get more infatuated with this country, Read More