BINALONG brother and sister Ben and Tia Spencer are heading to the Philippines in early February to teach under privileged children how swim.
Ben, 22, and Tia,19, who will be leaving on February 4, will be away for almost two months conducting swimming classes in the village Biliran for the local children.
Ben, who has been working as a high voltage linesman, and Tia, who works as a care, have both left their jobs to take on this new challenge.
They have launched a not-for-profit organisation, Spencer Swim Safe, to support their venture.
This organisation will be an on going organisation and they are hoping to send other trained instructors within Australia and outside Australia to teach children to swim.
Ben and Tia held a ‘rump and red’ theatre night in Binalong on November 25 to raise funds to support their venture and raised $8,700 on the night.
“That was a huge effort for little village like Binalong,” he said.
Ben said teaching children how swim was something they both wanted to do as they have both been involved in swimming for many years.
“I have gained both my lifeguard and Aust-swim qualifications over the last five years and have spent this time actively teaching and coaching young children to swim,” Ben said.
“I have a deep passion in ensuring that the importance of swimming is embraced as a life saving skill. It is a passion that Tia also embraces. It is a passion that had led us to embark on a pilgrimage to the Philippines in attempt to teach the local children how to swim.”
He said the majority of the children in the Philippines did not possess the necessary skills in regard to basic swimming knowledge.
“Unfortunately, due to many livelihoods in the Philippines being dependant on water-based activities, especially in regards to the tourist activities such as snorkelling and fishing, it becomes a dangerous situation,” he said.
“Tia and I are aiming to bridge this gap by teaching the necessary swimming skills that will assist in day to day life in the Philippines.
Ben travelled to the Philippines last year to talk to the local schools about the program.
He said the village they will be working was isolated and that he and Tia would be conducting the classes in the sea as they were no swimming pools there. While there Ben would also be teaching the local teachers some basic first aid procedures
He said they were looking for support for their organisation.
“There is a significant lack of resources in the Philippines and therefore we will need to supply our own swimming aids to ensure our success. Items such as goggles, kickboards and paddles are invaluable tools. All donations would also assist the two-man swim team to set up the coaching clinics in the local towns.
The Spencers have a Facebook page and can be contacted at spencerswimsafe@hotmail.com
Ben and Tia are being sponsored by P &C Vasey tipper and excavator hire, Spencer Skid Steer, Binalong Butchery, Binalong Garage, G and Y Whitchurch, P and L Spencer, Binalong Hotel, Café Dolcetto and King Swim.
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