Life saving clubs<\/p>\n
S. Kartamadjana's letter to Gatra, reprinted in The Jakarta
\nPost, May 1, 1996, is a wise call for what is a serious problem.
\nThe growing mobility of the Indonesian public and the number of
\npeople visiting beaches in the Pelabuhan Ratu area, the beach
\nplayground for Jakarta and Bandung, has risen considerably.
\nOn national public holidays thousands of people visit this area.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the surf proves too much for some. The number
\nof drownings reach such proportions at times that the local
\nadministration has no choice but to close the beaches to
\nswimmers, with police and military personnel being called in to
\nenforce these closures. Police recorded 103 drownings and\/or
\nrescues over a 20 month period, an average of one person every
\nfive to six days.<\/p>\n
To give you some idea as to the extent of the loss of life on
\nNews Day 1994, 11 people (mostly teenagers) drowned at the
\nCitapus beach alone, the same beach where eight persons drowned
\nover the two days of the recent Idul Fitri holiday.<\/p>\n
As Australia is the home country for the principal of life
\nsaving clubs and swimming education programs, I feel Australia
\ncould make valuable contribution to the welfare of the Indonesian
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Letters requesting assistance have been sent to the Australian
\nambassador and possible sponsors. However for this to proceed, we
\nneed the Indonesian and Australian governments assistance in the
\nformation of a club which would be used as a training ground for
\nother clubs in the region.<\/p>\n
I don't have the experience or connections necessary to put
\nall this together and herein request the assistance from readers
\ninterested in pursuing this further.<\/p>\n
LEO LEAROYD<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/life-saving-clubs-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }