L to R: Sarah, Jan Williams, Trung, Pam O'Rielly, Claire, open the Water Safety Vietnam AUSTSWIM program.

Last Saturday night at the Swannies ANZAC Boot Camp Dinner atop the Worldwide Arms Museum, Jan Williams, Pam O’Reilly and Claire joined us. They are with the Australian organisation. Water Safety Vietnam.

Yesterday Jan sent the following email to announce the launch of an AUSTSWIM course in  Saigon...

Hi friends and colleagues,

This morning was the opening – Day 1, of four consecutive training days for the AUSTSWIM course. It is hard to put in words the planning for this event, but this picture means a thousand words.

Media – TV and newspapers – were at the opening ceremony which involves the training of 55 people.

The future aim of Water Safety Vietnam is that once trained, these teachers will spread throughout South Vietnam and teach swimming in their villages.

Much to do!

Regards, Jan Williams

Update 19 February 2012. Jan Williams – Yesterday’s closing ceremony was more impressive than the opening ceremony. We were showered with gifts, hugs and kisses. All participants also sang a thank you song in ENGLISH. Big sook me – cried – absolute exhilaration. I was also physically and mentally SPENT after 53 spinals and 53 rescue breaths. They also made me swim against the current to finish the day. TV cameras again. What have we started????????

Ed’s note – Well done and congratulations to Jan, Pam and team!