Children’s Water Safety & Drowning Prevention Program: Ten Years of Impact

In 2025, the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club’s Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program marked its 10th year of helping protect children through life-saving swim and water safety education. What began as a practical response to a serious local need has become one of CMIRC’s longest-running and most meaningful service projects.

The need remains significant. The program report notes that drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 14 in Thailand, making water safety education especially important for children who might not otherwise have access to formal swimming lessons.

In 2025, the program provided training to 391 fourth-grade students in Chiang Mai, wi

th 342 students, or 88%, passing the final swim skills test. In Phrao, the program reached 347 fourth-grade students in 19 elementary schools, with 84% successfully completing the final test. The report also notes that pass rates rose to around 95% among students who attended all sessions.

Beyond the numbers, the project continues to give children confidence, survival skills, and a safer future. After ten years, it stands as a strong example of Rotary service that is practical, preventative, and truly life-saving.