Water, water everywhere…
Recently, something remarkable happened in our lake Vellayani. Here is the tale from two perspectives.
The shishyan perspective (Shishyan means disciple in malayalam, ശിഷ്യൻ)
By Salini John, Admin and Academic Supporter
“I love to be at the beach, at waterfalls and riversides, but I was very fearful to go into the water.
In 2004, when I was studying Hotel management in Kovalam, my friends and I went to the beach, that is near to our college. We all were enjoying the waves. Suddenly a wave dragged me under water but luckily, my friends were able to save me. Since then, I always keep a safe distance from water.
Even after joining kanthari which is bordering the beautiful Vellayani lake, I stayed away.
I thought of organizing swimming lessons for my four years old daughter. Enthusiastic of making her bold and teaching her to swim, I brought her to kanthari and introduced her to my friend Riya who agreed to train her. But she asked me to join as well. With a little hesitation, I did. I took this decision mainly for my daughter to be comfortable.
To my surprise my daughter was more confident than I was, and she was laughing at me while I screamed. Riya got familiar with all the different tones of my screams. I tried everything possible to quit but Riya was firm, I only should go after learning how to swim.
To my surprise, on my 25th day of swimming classes (22.02.2021, on Monday) I found myself floating with the help of a Kickboard, but the big problem which I faced was that I was not able to land, to put my feet back to the ground or even let go of the kickboard. Riya got to hear a few more variations of my screams. That day I again told her that I did not believe that I could ever swim. I said: “Today is my last day, swimming is not for me!”
Riya stayed positive. And now Riya, Paul and Sabriye explained a couple of techniques on how to land. At home, my husband and my mother-in-law gave me support too, telling me that I can do it and that I just need to gain confidence.
Next day I didn’t make any progress. Should I quit, it would have been a waste of Riya’s and my time. My heart told me I should and overcome my fear, so I kept trying.
On the 27th day of my swimming sessions (24/02/2021 on Wednesday), I again started to float with the help of my kickboard. Riya slowly took it away, gave her hand for support and then gently let me go. Suddenly I found myself floating all on my own. Riya asked me to slowly move my hand in water, and finally I was moving. I felt proud of myself having achieved something that I thought to be impossible in this lifetime. I am incredibly happy that finally I managed to swim.
I feel more confident and my fear of water is no more. Nothing is impossible if we keep trying and face our challenges.
The coach perspective
By Riya Orison, the kanthari bio-Diaper Project Manager
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
All of us have heard stories about drownings or near-death experiences due to not knowing how to swim. Are you one of them? Do you know to swim? Can you save someone in time of an emergency? Or at least, save yourself?
Even though Kerala is a state surrounded by water bodies, the percentage of people that know how to swim is extremely small. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have learnt swimming at a very young age. Whenever I get a chance to teach someone swimming, I happily do it. And at kanthari, I got such an opportunity again.
We started our lessons in the first week of January. Since then, activities in the lake increased, swimming sessions and lake cleaning.
We started with children of kanthari staff members, Angel, 6 years old and Apoorva, Salini’s four years old daughter. When Salini joined, it was my first time teaching someone who was so terrified of water.
We started by holding our breath and trying to breathe out under water. I was surprised, Salini was a natural floater while holding on to something, first the stairs then the kickboard. But then she wouldn’t let go of the kickboard. She was terrified despite the water not being very deep.
Whenever Paul got into the lake everyone would watch with interest as he floated on his back with both feet peeping out of the water and slowly tugging his boat along. Angel would say, “I want to learn to swim like Paul uncle”.
With each passing day, Angel made progress while Salini would lose her courage. Then she came with excuses to not come for her lessons. I realized it was her fear of water. Since then, I focused on getting her comfortable with water more than teaching her to swim. She was on the verge of giving up. But everyone around her had other plans. Salini’s swimming lessons now became a community project with everyone in the lake encouraging and motivating her which in the end turned to success! Mission accomplished.
Overcoming your worst fears is one of the most rewarding experiences. It will give you the confidence to face other fears and challenges.