SREEPUR Village, a UK charity supporting a residential community for abused, abandoned, divorced and widowed single mothers and their children in Gazipur, Bangladesh, has announced the results of its 2026 SwimSafe programme.
This year, 38 out of the 44 children who took part successfully completed the programme, including 20 boys and 18 girls, bringing the total number of children who have completed SwimSafe since it began in 2017 to 522.
Drowning is one of the most serious and least talked about threats facing children in Bangladesh. Around 9,600 people die from drowning in the country every year, and for children aged 1 to 4 it is the leading cause of death. Almost a quarter of all drowning deaths involve children under 5, and most happen within 20 metres of home, in ponds, ditches and water containers close to where children play.
Pat Kerr MBE, founder of Sreepur Village, said:
“It’s a joy to see these children enjoy themselves and learn to swim. The monsoon has been severe this year, with considerable flooding, so these youngsters are truly learning a life-saving skill.”
With flooding an increasing risk each year, SwimSafe gives children in Sreepur Village and the surrounding community a skill that could one day save their lives. The charity is already planning SwimSafe for 2027 and would welcome a corporate partner to be part of it.
To watch this year’s class in action, visit: https://bit.ly/2026swimsafe. If you are interested in sponsoring our scheme for 2027, please contact: emma@sreepurvillage.org.
