As Manitoba's Nigerian community mourns the death of a boy who died in an accidental drowning, aid agencies help newcomers learn vital life-saving skills He said there is a need for more specialized programs for
After the July 21 incident at Valley Gardens, the boy was taken off life support after doctors attempted to save his life.
Emergency services were called to the townhouse complex after a drowning incident on July 21, but the child was not there in time.
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My deepest condolences to the family. This is truly a tragedy," Shereen Denetto, executive director of Manitoba's Immigrant and Refugee Communities Organization (IRCOM), told her Global News.
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It's unclear what the child's swimming skill level is, but Denetto says it's not uncommon for newcomers and immigrants to be unable to swim.
She said many who come to Canada may have fled the war, could not afford swimming lessons, or may not live near bodies of water. I was.
"It's just not ingrained in a newcomer's previous life before coming to Canada," said Dennett. ``It's easy to underestimate the hazards of water.''
Manitoba has seen eight deaths since January, according to Christopher Love, water smart and safety coordinator for the Manitoba Lifesaving Society. Drownings do occur, with an average of 22 drownings per year in the state.
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"About 70% of these deaths occurred during the traditional summer months of May through September. It tends to occur at 10:00 a.m.,” said Love.
READ MORE: Experts urge Manitoba people to swim safely after three drownings
} He reported in 2016 that new Canadians aged 11 to 14 were five times more likely to not know how to swim than Canadians born in Canada.
"Families who come to Canada often have different knowledge and experiences about water safety issues and the importance of learning to swim..." Life Saving Her Society Barbara of Her Byers Public Education Director said at the time.
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In 2016, his 12-year-old boy and his 11-year-old girl from the Philippines went to a popular facility. drowned nearby. Boardwalk area of Grand Beach.
Two years later, two Somali migrants drowned in Kenora, Ontario.
IRCOM said it emphasized the urgent need for a more targeted swimming programme. Organizations can provide interpretation, lessons in other languages, and women-only lessons.
"Over the years, several groups and organizations have offered swimming lessons to women, but there has been no comfort there," Dennett said. said. “The special services for women who spend a lot of time with young children are really great.”
Winkler's Aquatics Center this year will The Coalition said it was able to launch a similar program through regional water safety grants.
Winkler Aquatic Center Programmer Lani Enth said: "The program provided free swimming lessons for her 50 participants, both adults and children." Said to be the root of everything you do.
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