Every year, around 400,000 people come to the Netherlands from other countries. When you arrive in the Netherlands, you immediately see: "Wow, the Netherlands has a lot of water!". Many people swim or have fun on the water. Every city or large village has a swimming pool. For Dutch people this is normal and self-evident. Almost all children learn to swim from primary school age, and 90% have a swimming diploma. On hot days, many people go to the sea, lakes or canals. It seems safe and fun.
- Migrants often come from countries where clean water is difficult to find. As a rule, there are few swimming schools in their country of origin. Some have experienced scary things on the water during their trip to the Netherlands.
- But even if you don't want to swim, you can accidentally end up in the water. It is then useful to know what to do and how you can avoid risks and get yourself out of the water.
- In the Netherlands, learning to swim is almost mandatory. If you want to integrate here, you also have to learn to swim.
- But all kinds of questions arise:
- Where can I learn to swim?
- Can I get swimming lessons if I have little money?
- Does the swimming instructor take my background into account?
- Do I understand the instructor if I don't speak Dutch?
- Are there instructors who speak my language? Can I interact with participants who speak a different language?
- Does it matter if I am older than Dutch children?
- Are boys and girls taught separately?
- Can I wear clothing other than swimming trunks or bathing suit?
- Are there lessons for young people over 12 years old?
Migrants often come from countries where clean water is difficult to find. As a rule, there are few swimming schools in their country of origin. Some have experienced scary things on the water during their trip to the Netherlands.
But even if you don't want to swim, you can accidentally end up in the water. It is then useful to know what to do and how you can avoid risks and get yourself out of the water.
In the Netherlands, learning to swim is almost mandatory. If you want to integrate here, you also have to learn to swim.
But all kinds of questions arise:
- Where can I learn to swim?
- Can I get swimming lessons if I have little money?
- Does the swimming instructor take my background into account?
- Do I understand the instructor if I don't speak Dutch?
- Are there instructors who speak my language? Can I interact with participants who speak a different language?
- Does it matter if I am older than Dutch children?
- Are boys and girls taught separately?
- Can I wear clothing other than swimming trunks or bathing suit?
- Are there lessons for young people over 12 years old?
The Dutch swimming practice often does not align well with the needs of migrants. That's why young people from other cultures who enjoy swimming, are very important:
- You can show other migrants how important it is to learn to swim and encourage them to start.
- You can help them find the right paths and sign up for swimming lessons.
- You can highlight the dangers of water and raise awareness of the risks.
- Extra assistance is needed at the swimming pool for communication and explanation.
- Because you understand the culture and customs, you can successfully guide others in learning to swim.
- You can assist in communication between the instructor and the group.
- You can keep the group together.
- You can help people with their integration by becoming familiar with Dutch (swimming) culture and etiquette.
If this sounds interesting to you, you can assist other migrants within the Maatschappelijke Diensttijd in navigating the risks and dangers of water and familiarize them with Dutch swimming culture. You also improve your own swimming skills in the process.
You will receive approximately 40 hours of training and gain swimming experience yourself. You then work together with ExpeditieRED and with other migrants. The training is aimed at carrying out 5 tasks. A task has one or more activities, for which you receive a badge per activity. . This way you learn step by step.
In the last task you will spend 40 hours working with other migrants in practice. Usually in workshops. There you will teach them about water hazards and Dutch swimming culture. Other tasks are also possible. Such as providing information, recruiting migrants or doing translation work. Once you have completed the playlist you will receive a playlist badge and a certificate.