Hannah Middleton: Teach Swimming to Kids in South Africa
Why did you decide to go overseas to volunteer to teach swimming?
I chose to coach swimming overseas because I realised how something we take for granted back home could save someone’s life in South Africa. The thought of just being able to teach a child just how to keep their head above water could do so much and was such a rewarding experience.
What did you achieve during your placement?
I achieved so much just by being here. Not only did I gain a cultural knowledge an history of South Africa, but I gained the rewarding feeling of watching as a child who wouldn’t let go of the edge of the bar at the start of my lesson, to watching her swim half a width by herself! I have also become more realistic in terms of personal things, what I need and what I can do without, just like so many people do here. I also became more aware of my money, this trip taught me to budget my money a lot better. In terms of swimming, I have learned to new techniques to teach swimming from my fellow volunteers and how to adapt each technique to different styles of swimming.