Karongi turns to swimming clubs to develop talent and prevent child drownings

By The Inspirer.

Karongi District is promoting organized swimming clubs as part of efforts to develop young talent and reduce drowning incidents among children living along the shores of Lake Kivu.

The initiative brings children together in swimming teams where they receive training under qualified coaches, replacing the previous practice of children swimming in the lake unsupervised and without safety equipment.

Parents and local authorities say the move is helping address safety concerns, especially during school holidays when drowning cases among children have often increased. Some children had also been spending long hours in the lake at the expense of their studies.

In Bwishyura Sector alone, four swimming clubs have been established, with two already gaining recognition in the district.

For parents, the clubs have provided reassurance that their children can learn swimming in a safer environment.

Rukundo Yohana, whose nine-year-old child joined a swimming club, said he previously lived with constant concern whenever his child went swimming in Lake Kivu without supervision.

“Before, my child would spend the day swimming in Lake Kivu with other children, and I was always worried that something could happen. Now I know he is training with a team, and I am confident that he is safe in the water,” he said.

Ntawukuriruwabo Xaverina said organized swimming has also helped improve children’s protection.

“I have a daughter who used to spend time swimming in the lake with boys, which worried me because of possible risks. But now she is at Ishyaka Swimming Club, where she is with a coach, and I no longer have the same concerns,” she said.

Elise and Liban Mugabo, founders of Ishyaka Swimming Club (ISC), which operates in Karongi and Rutsiro districts, said swimming development must go beyond training athletes and include protecting children’s rights.

The club recently held a session with parents to discuss child protection, safety and parental responsibilities.

“We believe that training a swimmer means caring for the athlete in every way. A child’s safety also depends on whether the family understands their rights and responsibilities. That is why we invited parents to discuss child protection and their role in supporting young swimmers,” they said.

Lawyer Vincent Nemeyimana, who specializes in child protection, said children have the right to play and participate in activities that support their growth, but those activities must take place in safe environments.

“When a child participates in activities without responsible adults around, they can face risks that may go unnoticed. Before enrolling a child, clubs should engage parents and agree on responsibilities to ensure the child’s safety,” he said.

Karongi District Deputy Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Pascasie Umuhoza, said swimming clubs provide children with proper training and adult supervision while helping prevent accidents.

“Some of the clubs we have engaged with are working to obtain the required documents. We have seen children who had dropped out of school return to education while continuing swimming. These clubs help prevent avoidable accidents,” she said.

The district says it will continue supporting swimming clubs to ensure they operate in line with regulations and contribute to both sports development and child safety.

Through the initiative, Karongi hopes to transform swimming from an informal activity into a structured sport that nurtures talent while making communities around Lake Kivu safer for children.