SOURCE: The Newcastle Herald.
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WHEN you grow up in a war-torn country, there's not much opportunity - or need - to learn to swim.
And so it was for the young African-Australian refugees who fronted at The Forum pool yesterday for a swimming lesson.
Ranging in age from six to 19, some of the refugees from Congo, Rwanda and Burundi have only been in Australia for about four months and have never had formal swimming training before.
These school holidays, staff at The Forum complex at the University of Newcastle are teaching the 25 young students how to swim and be safe around the water, thanks to Orica and local charity Grainery Care.
Grainery Care chairman and program organiser Paul West said water safety had not been a part of the refugees' cultures.
It was important they learnt some water skills now they were making their home in Australia, he said.
The program began yesterday and runs for six days, funded by an Orica community investment grant.
The grant covers the cost of lessons as well as transport and lunch each day, and goggles and a drink bottle for each participant.
Mr West thanked Orica for funding an "essential" service.
"Community-based programs understand what the students need and help them overcome the disadvantage of coming to a different country and learning a different language," he said.