Child Drowning Still Rampant in Thailand and SE Asia

[mracronym]

Child drowning is a silent killer throughout SE Asia. Every 15 minutes a child drowns in Asia. In Thailand alone, 2,650 children will drown this year, that’s 10 children every day. There’s a reason these staggering numbers aren’t flashed across new headlines, or really given much attention at all: child drowning is a silent epidemic. Because mortality via drowning happens almost immediately, only one in every four drownings is actually reported to hospitals and accounted for in national statistics. Extensive surveys throughout southeast Asia has reveal drowning is the leading cause of death among children age 1-17, far out performing both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

There are two main solutions to the issue of child drowning: swimming lessons and supervision. In the case of children five an older, those who have been taught how to swim do not drown. Unfortunately, only one-third of Thai children will ever learn how to swim.

The Davis Project for Peace Foundation sponsors $10,000 grants to American collegiate students looking to promote peace in the World. Myself and a colleague are applying for such a grant. Our project would be focused on teaching children how to swim and educating parents on watching their children near bodies of water.

If you know of a community leader, in particular of a muban, who would be receptive to a project such as this, please respond to this post.

Thank you

[thompson]

Myself and a colleague are applying for such a grant. Our project would be focused on teaching children how to swim and educating parents on watching their children near bodies of water.

If you know of a community leader, in particular of a muban, who would be receptive to a project such as this, please respond to this post.

Great mate! I know of a place. They'll want money of course. When do you expect your grant proposal will be accepted and how much can you dole out weekly?

[Eggmeng]

If your target groups are not limited to Thai children, the Mae Sot area in Northwestern Thailand is a great place for education and humanitarian efforts. There are some 70 schools and orphanages there that have been built by NGOs, private donors and international volunteers working to educate the children of economic and political refugees from across the border in Burma. There are also several refugee camps in the area that are home to large numbers.

You will get a high level of cooperation and support from the people working with these children. I'm sure they would love to have them learn to swim. If you don't want the complications of working with the larger organizations (NGOs), then go directly to the smaller facilities that are privately funded and run.

You can visit this link to view a short documentary with some info on the subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08LPwwUdWNw