By:Curtis Morton
Nevispages.com
Charlestown-Nevis-The local Red Cross Society on Nevis continues to make a difference in the lives of the community members.
Last year, they commenced a training course teaching persons to swim and vowed to make it an annual event. This is being referred to as the Water safety swimming program.
The plan has definitely come to fruition as the camp has entered its second year running.
Director of the local branch, nurse Roxanne Brookes indicated that this year’s training courses will be run in two phases: Currently ongoing is a camp for 5 year olds to 12 year olds.
Phase two of this year’s program will run from 10th August to 18th August and will cater for children within the age range of 13 to 18 years of age.
Nurse Roxanne was also happy to inform that a pledge that was made last year has been accomplished. The local Red Cross now has several certified instructors. These instructors are: Nedd Lestrade; Vaughn Surge; Joel and Isaac Jeminez; Howard; Dennis Springette and Romario Daniel.
Additional assistance has been volunteered this year by Mary Holler of the American Red Cross Texas Branch.
She described the children as being ‘very enthusiastic and keen to learn.’
The children are being taught to use a pool for starters and will soon go to the beach as they continue to learn the art of swimming.
A donor who has opted to remain anonymous has donated the use of the pools and snacks for the children, among other things.
Nurse Roxanne indicated that the long term goal is to see Water Safety and Swimming Programs added to the PE curriculum in the schools and the Red Cross is looking forward to supporting the Ministry of Education in this area.