Decades after being born on a refugee boat, and then a traumatic experience of being pushed into a pool, Thu Fampidi has signed up for swimming lessons.
A new adult learn-to-swim program is being rolled out around the country.Escaping Vietnam after the communist takeover, Thu Fampidi was born on a boat packed with refugees fleeing for their lives. The vessel navigated stormy conditions as her family searched for safety.
At the age of 41, Thu Fampidi says she has not had the time until now to tackle her fear of the water after fleeing from Vietnam in a boat in her childhood.Four decades later and after a traumatic experience with her sisters playfully pushing her into a pool when she was 10, she is ready to conquer her fears and learn how to swim.
Allianz Swim Club hopes to recruit 800 adults willing to brave the water ahead of the summer months when drownings spike. "No one's really given me the time really and effort to help me to learn the techniques and calm my fears in the water," Fampidi said.A dream of swimming in the Indonesian waters where she was born
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