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Mahurangi West resident Bridgette Rademakers is currently collecting old and unwanted togs to help the people of Mozambique learn to swim.
She has three large sacks of swimming togs after setting up collection points at Warkworth Primary, Leigh School and Coatesville School.
Bridgette says Mozambique has a long stretch of coastline and significant portions of the population depend on the sea for their livelihood.
“As well as fishing, they use ferries to get between towns, but often these boats sink and, sadly, most people on board can’t swim to survive, even if it is just 100 metres,” she says.
Bridgette experienced the country first hand as a research assistant at the Marine Megafauna Foundation in Inhambane City, Mozambique, last year.
The foundation runs a swimming programme for local kids called Nemos Pequenos.
According to the foundation’s website, 45 per cent of people living in Inhambane make their living from the ocean and yet the majority are unable to swim and there are around four drowning fatalities a day.
As a result, many Mozambicans fear swimming in the ocean, which ultimately reinforces the problem.
“The programme is not just a swimming school – it goes into schools and educates students about the marine environment and what they can see in it,” Bridgette says.
“In addition to improving safety, there is also an opportunity for them to make money from the tourism generated by manta rays and whale sharks, which are commonly found there.”
According to the World Bank, the annual gross national income per capita in Mozambique is US$420, making it one of the poorest countries in Africa.
“Even if togs were shipped in from South Africa, the locals simply don’t have the money to buy luxury items like swimwear,” Bridgette says.
She is returning to Mozambique next month to start a new job and will personally deliver the donated togs to the Nemos Pequenos programme.
Those wishing to help can drop off their spare swimmers during business hours to the DOC office at 30 Hudson road or the Mahurangi Matters office.
The majority of togs already donated have been for younger children and so larger sizes would be greatly appreciated, Bridgette says.
She is also raising funds on Givealittle to cover the $250 cost of transporting the togs. See givealittle.co.nz/cause/flying-togs-nz-to-mozambique.
