The trio, aged 15, 13 and 11, have drowned, after trying to pull a fishing net from a lake.

They live not far from the water, but like their school mates they cannot swim.

They're from the Philippines, a country where annual drowning death rates are three times greater than in Australia.

They're also the nieces of Wodonga mother and primary school teacher Michelle Michael.

For her all those elements have blended into what she has dubbed the LLP Project.

"I just thought I don't want any more little white coffins and I've got to be able to help," Mrs Michael said.

"So the LLP Project was born, named after the girls - Lea, Lycil and Princess."

It involves Mrs Michael leading a trip to the sisters' hometown of Tapaz to help teach children from their primary school water safety and the basics of swimming.

The city is on the island of Panay, about 600 kilometres south of the capital Manila.

It is not exactly on the tourist trail and life can be hard.

At the time of their drowning, the girls were dragging in a long net put in the lake to catch fish which would be dished up with rice for their family dinner.

"They had to pull in the fishing nets after school and Princess slipped and fell in," Mrs Michael said.

"It was steep and it had been raining and she went in and the water was over her head, there was no hope.

"She didn't have any swimming skills, she didn't know to kick her legs or dog paddle.

"Her two sisters jumped in after her and they all drowned.

"I was just shocked and heartbroken at the waste of life, because generally it wouldn't happen to Australian kids, because most of them are exposed to water, so they have basic skills."

The tragedy occurred in October 2017 and after contemplating what she could do Mrs Michael hit top gear in January, launching a Facebook page to recruit a team to travel to the Philippines and enact her plan.

"I wanted a minimum of six because I didn't want to make it too big, because I thought if I make it too big too quickly I might be out of my depth," she said.

Her efforts have been rewarded with a crew of seven to join her in jetting off to the Philippines at the end of this month for a week of classes.

The squad includes Wodonga mother Judith McKeown and her daughter Alannah, a former Wodonga Young Citizen of the Year who has swum for Australia at the Special Olympics.

"I'm really happy to support Michelle's passion and her vision; I understand having that burning vision and wanting to see it come together," Mrs Keown said.

"I also thought it could be a good thing for Alannah because she could understand the value of it and she could understand with a disability you can be a giver rather than just a taker."

The other Wodonga member of the contingent is Julie Smalley, who has been a swimming teacher for nearly 30 years.

"It's nice to be able to give back to families that can't afford swimming lessons," Mrs Smalley said.

"My hobby is my work and I'm very lucky and watching a child swim for the first time and discover water for the first time gives me the joy I need."

The remainder of the team hail from Melbourne and include paramedic Nicholas Redden, swimming teachers Donna Burnett and Ashen Fernando and gold medal-winning Paralympic swimmer Sam Bramham who has one leg.

The three swimming teachers will be assisted by the McKeowns and Bramham with Mr Redden conducting first aid classes and Mrs Michael overseeing.

They will be working in a 25-metre pool which sits on the edge of the lake where the girls drowned.

Mrs Michael travelled to the area in April and says there is much anticipation about the impending five days of swimming instruction.

"They're very excited about us coming and once we get there we won't have to pay for accommodation or for food, they will look after us because it's such a gift we're giving them," she said.

In a video message that Mrs Michael recorded in April, Mayor Roberto Palomar expresses his gratitude to her.

"We are very glad that you are bringing this type of project or program," Cr Palomar said.

"Hopefully this will really help a lot of students to learn how to swim.

"Thank you for coming over and I hope that this is not the last, it is only the beginning."

About $9000 has been fundraised to cover the costs of flights with the Joss Group contributing $500 after Mrs Michael appealed for help from Border businesses.

There has also been donations of bathers of all sizes and kickboards from Tallangatta.

"I'm absolutely amazed at the support she's been able to garner, just through asking," Mrs McKeown said.

"I would be budgeting for an item and Michelle would say 'I'm planning on getting those donated' and next thing we've got so and so with bathers.

"I think her excitement has grown and that becomes infectious.

"When she phones people and goes into businesses she's very convincing because she knows it's going to happen."

Up to 150 boys and girls aged 8 to 13 are expected partake in the lessons.

Mrs Smalley said ideally she would like the youngsters by the end of the sessions to be capable of dog paddle and rolling on their backs to keep afloat and signal for help.

"Kids catch on very quickly, they watch very carefully and you learn to demonstrate very well," she said.

"With five days straight and an hour a session you'll have most of the kids going well unless they have really big issues actually moving."

Mrs Michael would like the trip to be an annual event that fosters locals to educate their compatriots.

"I'm hoping that the children we teach will end up with basic water skills," she said.

"So that if they got into trouble they would have a fighting chance and they can teach some of their skills to brothers, sisters, cousins and mum and dad.

"It is my hope then that maybe one day there might be the skill base built up so that they can teach their own."

You can learn about fundraising events for the swimming program and contribute assistance through The LLP Project - Swim to Tapaz Facebook page.