This year, as part of my service component, I chose to participate in Gecko Inc. Its main goal is to teach underprivileged kids how to swim (basic skills that develop through time). However, to me, it’s much more than that. Gecko Inc. gives me the opportunity to interact with local kids that come from a completely different background than me. It amazes me the capacity these kids have to interact with each other and with us, people who speak a foreign language to theirs. Gecko Inc. doesn’t only benefit the children involved, but it benefits everyone.
After every Thursday session, I come out feeling happy. Being around the kids, and especially in an environment other than a classroom, gives us the freedom of playing around and laughing freely while also teaching them basic skills which are crucial for everyone, not only swimmers. I’m very happy with the service choice that I made. I love the combination of resources and skills that the group provides. The people I work with are extremely friendly and help me out whenever I need it.
As part of the yearly program, we gifted the kid’s swimsuits in order to continue with the rest of the sessions ‘looking fresh.’ I can’t wait to see how much the kids continue to improve not only in their swimming abilities but in their capacity to speak English and communicate with kids that are much older than them.