Women who grow rice and weave water hyacinth in Dong Thap will get free swimming lessons.

Dong Thap - This summer, the free swimming class of Ms. Tran Thi Kim Thia (also known as Sau Thia) not only teaches swimming to children but also teaches swimming to adults, contributing to reducing drowning accidents.

For over 20 years, every summer, the free swimming class for children in the area of Mrs. Tran Thi Kim Thia (also known as Sau Thia) in Hung Thanh commune, Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province has been bustling and vibrant.

Summer comes, Mrs. Sau Thia's swimming class becomes bustling and exciting again. Photo: Phong Linh

According to Ms. Sau Thia, teaching free swimming comes from her love for children. "I saw many cases of children drowning on TV and felt very sorry for them, so I wanted to teach the children how to swim and protect themselves," Ms. Thia confided.

In 1992, the Hung Thanh commune government encouraged Ms. Sau Thia to participate in the Women's Union of Hamlet 4. In 2002, the commune People's Committee implemented a project to popularize swimming for children, Ms. Sau Thia was invited to be a "coach" to teach swimming because of her good health, hard-working nature and love for children. She accepted and from then on started teaching swimming.

Nguyen Vo Thien An (Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province) said: "When I heard that Mrs. Sau opened a swimming class, I asked my parents to register me right away. I went to school riding a bicycle near the river, so my parents were worried. After taking Mrs. Sau's class for 2 sessions, I knew how to swim, I was very happy."

Mrs. Sau Thia enthusiastically teaches children how to swim. Photo: Phong Linh

If in previous years, the subjects participating in Ms. Sau Thia's classes were mainly children from 6 to 15 years old, this summer she expanded her swimming classes to include adults.

“It is very dangerous for women who work near rivers, harvest water hyacinth, or have accidents on boats without knowing how to swim. I hope everyone will confidently register for classes to ensure their own safety,” said Ms. Thia.

Speaking with Lao Dong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy - President of the Women's Union of Thap Muoi district - said: "The Women's Union of Thap Muoi district highly appreciates her for always performing well the assigned tasks of the Union, especially actively propagating, mobilizing, defending, and protecting the rights and legitimate interests of women and children, including free swimming lessons for children in the area."

Source: https://laodong.vn/nguoi-viet-tu-te/phu-nu-giam-lua-dan-luc-binh-o-dong-thap-se-duoc-hoc-boi-mien-phi-1338077.ldo