During Cameroon’s National Youth Week, No Limit International partnered with the Cameroon Swimming and Lifesaving Federation to donate life-saving swimming equipment to young swimmers in the community. The donation ceremony took place on February 12, 2022 at the Swim Olympic Club of the Federation in Douala, Cameroon. The day was marked by the official launching of the swimming season (2022–2023) at the federation in the presence of government and federation officials as well as the swimmers of different clubs registered for the season. 

The swimming equipment was provided by A3 Performance, a recognized swim team dealer in the United States. According to No Limit International Co-Founder Orlyanka Tantchou, No Limit International’s partnership with A3 Performance “offered a unique opportunity to partner with the private sector and promote a unique sport.”

Swimming is an essential life skill, and everyone should have the opportunity to swim in a fun, safe, and friendly environment. The donation and promotion of water safety education programs in the community will encourage children to learn to swim and enjoy being around water. An enjoyable learning experience could be the start of a lifelong love of aquatic activity.

Importance of Swimming Education in Healthy Living and Youth Development

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death around the world, especially in children. About ten people die from unintentional drowning every day, and of these, two are children under the age of 14. The World Health Organization lists Africa as having the highest rate of drowning in the world, with the region accounting for 20% of drownings worldwide.

“These statistics are alarming,” said Orlyanka Tantchou, Co-Founder of non-government organization (NGO) No Limit International, “and with the drowning rates on the rise on the coasts of Cameroon in cities such as Kribi, we felt it was important to implement water safety programs in partnership with the Cameroon Swimming and Lifesaving Federation. Part of our mission at No Limit International is to improve the health and living conditions of the population. By increasing water safety programs in the community, we help newbies in the swimming world acquire skills and competencies that can not only save their lives but also those of others around them as well. We want to promote swimming not only as a recreational activity but also as a skill that saves lives. That’s our first objective.”

Swimming is also an Olympic sport that can provide to the youth excellent opportunities to gain confidence, learn self-discipline, and participate in competitive swimming at the national and even international levels. “Our second objective,” Orlyanka stated, “is to empower the youth to enjoy swimming as a sport and also encourage the young stars in the swimming clubs by equipping them with first-class swimming gears that will help them swim faster.”

Community Impact

The President of the Cameroon Swimming and Lifesaving Federation, Mr. El Hadj Relouanou Charaboutou, expressed his gratitude to No Limit International for the donation and continued support of the federation. “As an official sponsor of the federation, they’ve helped us organize swim meets throughout the years; and today, again at the occasion of the official launching of the swimming season; they’ve marked their presence with the precious donations of 100 swimming gears and other equipment to the federation, which will be redistributed to the clubs and individuals participating in swim safety programs. We want to assure the founder of the NGO, Ms. Orlyanka Tantchou, that these donations will be properly utilized, and we invite her to look for more opportunities for our federation, especially, now that we have 4 stadiums in the country with multi-sports complex being built with Olympic size swimming pools.”

In response, Orlyanka Tantchou reassured the federation: “We share with the federation the same values and commitment to promote the sport of swimming and we will keep on looking for partners that can help us improve the state of swimming in Cameroon.” She stressed the need for swimming equipment in the community “in order to promote swimming as a sport and lifesaving skill.”

Support Swimming Programs with No Limit International

With your support, No Limit International can continue to support those in need. Donate today and join us as we work towards improving living conditions, fighting hunger and poverty, providing youth education and recreation, and empowering individuals to believe in a better society.

To learn more about No Limit International, give us a call at +237 699 99 02 89 / +237 675 80 85 10 or contact us via email at info@nolimitinternational.org. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the world we live in.