Enthusiastic Participants of the In Her Presence Swimming Program

Amy Harris

Source

Amjambo Africa!

Date

1-2024

Volume Number

vol.6, no.10

Pages

1, 30-31

Abstract

Maine has ample resources for swimming, yet many New Mainers lack access to Maine's waters because of cultural, financial, and language barriers. There are links between drowning deaths and swimming skills, and these often track along ethnic and racial lines, with Black children in the U.S. experiencing higher rates of drowning than white children. Beyond safety, swimming also provides many health benefits. The article surveys several programs that have sprung up around the state to reach out to New Mainers, especially women, with culturally appropriate swimming instruction programs. The Lewiston YWCA, for example, offers a single-gendered swimming program with female-only instructors and lifeguards for members of the area's immigrant community. In Her Presence recently acquired culturally appropriate swimwear and offered pool time for 16 of its senior members. Includes sidebars with comments from several of the participants.

Language

English

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