WATCH: Help special needs learners swim
Help the West Rand School's special needs learners learn how to swim, by contributing to the restoration of their pool.
The West Rand School is taking hands with K-swim Academy to give swimming lessons to their special needs learners but they need to revamp their pool first.
According to the school’s official website, it is an integrated, multi-cultured, multi-racial school that caters for a variety of learners with special needs. They pride themselves in meeting the special, unique needs of their learners and ensuring they reach their full potential.
The organiser of the programme, Karien Botha, says that she had a meeting with the school a while back to have a swimming programme for the learners, where they want them to learn to swim, as it is an essential skill for special needs learners. The K-swim team will also do the lessons and therapy at cost.
“We want to split the learners into two groups for the first phase of the programme and aim to teach 300 learners within the first year. The programme will start on October 8, but we face a huge challenge … the pool is not in the condition to cater for the special needs learners,” Karien said.
The pool needs the following to be in a usable state for the learners:
• Two heated 18Kw pumps
• One heated blanket and roller
• Two toilets and sinks, with installation
• Three double wooden doors
• Roof repairs
• Paint for the boys and girls bathroom
They also require swimming nappies for each learner, at least 120 per week.
The heated water pump is essential to keep the pool warm, as the learners need warmer water. The current pump only heats the water to 22 °C (there are also no parts available), where it has to be at around 34 °C.
Luckily Mathys de Jager from Pearl Electrical has already sponsored one of these pumps, along with the labour of removing the old one and cleaning the area. He is also going to restore the lighting in the building.
Clinton Swanepoel from Iron Horse Property Maintenance is doing the assessment and service of the installation, as well as installing the new pump and pipes.
Karien is calling on the community for any sponsors of the above-mentioned essential items to get the pool in working order.
If any resident wants to contribute to this amazing cause, contact Karien at 082 964 2125.
The items can also be donated, or paid directly to the distributors, where there will also be a Section 18 tax benefit certificate issued.
