Charity in Africa
Swimming Changes Lives Project was launched in May 2021 as a pilot project and continues its operations in Zanzibar!
Zanzibar is home to one of the world's largest coral reefs. This island off the eastern coast of Africa also ranks high in global drowning statistics. Thousands of people drown each year because 75% of the population cannot swim. FitPit aims to change these statistics and also contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems, where coral reefs play a crucial role.
FitPit continued the project in May 2023
We received funding from Finnpartnership, which allows us to keep improving the lives of Zanzibar residents by teaching them swimming skills. In May 2023, we returned to Zanzibar. We taught the locals to achieve safe swimming skills and trained them to understand the importance of marine conservation.
Training Local Swimming Instructors is a Key Part of FitPit’s Commitment to Responsibility
During May, we trained 30 swimming instructors in Zanzibar. For the training, we translated FitPit’s training materials into Swahili, and our selected swimming instructors from various parts of Zanzibar taught eight groups of children and adults under the guidance of our experienced coaches. We were ready to take 20 students in each group.
We trained both men and women as swimming instructors. In line with the project's goals, we established a company in Zanzibar to ensure the sustainability and continuation of our efforts to improve swimming skills. This company includes local partners in addition to our Finnish team.
We Have Already Trained Over 30 Swimming Instructors
The pilot project was conducted from May 21 to June 13, 2021. During the pilot, we taught 40 people to swim and trained 3 swimming instructors.
In May 2023, we trained 30 swimming instructors, double the original target. Additionally, we taught 120 people to swim. It was difficult to get participants for weekday daytime groups, whereas there were more applicants than we could accommodate for weekend and evening groups
FitPit, the Developer of the Project, is One of the Largest Swimming Companies in the Nordic Countries
Founded in 2015
Has taught over 12,000 people to swim
Has conducted over 120,000 swimming lessons
Implemented a pilot swimming instruction project in Africa in 2021
A love for water, the seas, nature, and well-being are the reasons why FitPit started this project.
FitPit Implemented the 2023 Project in May
Four experienced coaches from Finland traveled to train local swimming instructors.
We taught 120 people to swim in the pool at the Paje Blu hotel and in the sea.
We translated the training materials into Swahili and trained 30 swimming instructors.
We provided environmental education for the swimming instructors.
We established a local company, FitPit Zanzibar.
Local Collaboration with Chumbe
Chumbe Island is a private nature reserve established to protect the coral area. Its operations are funded by eco-lodge bungalows built from renewable materials and powered by solar energy. The bungalows collect and purify their own rainwater and sustainably process all waste, making them a 100% environmentally friendly accommodation option.
Environmental Expertise and Marine Conservation Training
During the pilot project, the swimming instructors had the opportunity to explore Chumbe’s operations and snorkel at the coral reefs.
In the 2023 project, Chumbe’s experts provided environmental awareness training.
Finnpartnership's funding and FitPit's own contribution alone were not sufficient to implement the project. We thank all donors.
We received numerous donations of swimwear, and we took a total of seven hockey equipment bags full of these to Zanzibar, distributing them to our local course participants. Donors also enabled the purchase of new swimming goggles and swimming equipment.
Ilona Voltti designed a burkini for her Pioni+ collection and donated burkinis to the women participating in the swimming instructor training.
FitPit Zanzibar Company
At the end of the project, FitPit's owners, Laura and Oliver, along with five other individuals, three of whom are from Zanzibar, established a non-profit company on the island.
The company provides swimming instruction and aquatic services.
The company's goal is to continue offering swimming instruction free of charge to ensure that as many residents of Zanzibar as possible learn to swim.
In the fall of 2023, the trained swimming instructors of FitPit Zanzibar tested their teaching at the beaches of Stone Town.
Partners and supporters:
Panje Project
Chumbe Island
Daraja Foundation
Kimbia Bila Shaka
Kawa Training Center
Would you like more information about the project? Are you considering collaboration? Do you have ideas for the future?
Please contact Laura at: laura@fitpit.fi