HOW TO SAVE A LIFE – SCHOOLGIRL SAVES HERSELF, THANKS TO TRAINING
In 2004, over 30,000 people lost their lives in the wake of the tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka. Being a nation that depends on the ocean, for sustenance and industry, the tragedy was an unexpected disaster which still calls to mind emotional memories.
Jetwing Lighthouse was the first luxury boutique hotel to open in the iconic city of Galle, in 1997. The hotel fortunately did not suffer much damage, thanks to the presence of the large rocks on the beachfront which acted as silent sentinels, breaking the force of the immense waves. After the tsunami, communities came together to rebuild and prepare for the future – “what if it happened again?” “What should we do?” were the questions that came forth.
Upon discussion, a shocking truth revealed itself. Most of the casualties resulted were due to a simple fact: the inability to swim. Four entities with one common goal teamed up and decided that they had to do something for the future generations – to prepare them should a similar situation arise. Swim Lanka headed by Julian Bolling, a former Sri Lankan Olympic Swimmer, had the expertise and the technical know how to get such a programme going to teach children and adults of the area to swim.
Thus came together a team of people, institutions and sporting academics to bring to life the idea of a pool for the community – the funds from Adopt Sri Lanka and SOS Velsen, the technical knowledge from Swim Lanka and Christina Fonce and the land, the construction and the continued maintenance and sustaining of the pool, the coaches and the facility itself from Jetwing Lighthouse. The design and the architecture in keeping with the hotel was a contribution by Channa Daswatte, a prodigy of the legendary Geoffrey Bawa. The result was a spectacular modern day swimming pool with changing rooms, an administrative facility and even a viewing gallery for parents to watch over their young ones. A training pool to give closer attention to the smaller kids has also been made available.
A little over a month ago, the Jetwing Lighthouse Community Pool proved its worth as 12 year old M. M. Chathurika Dilrukshi saved her own life after falling into a well in her village. The Grade 7 child who is studying in Navandagla school followed the three month course on “Confidence in Water” conducted at the Jetwing Lighthouse Community Pool, and used the techniques to escape a watery death.
“We at Jetwing Lighthouse are extremely happy that little Chathurika is safe, and that she overcame adversity when most people would have panicked.
My thanks go out to her trainers, and all the associates at the Jetwing Lighthouse Community Pool, and I wish her the best of luck in her future” said Robert Claesson, General Manager of Jetwing Lighthouse.
The Lighthouse Community Pool is an initiative carried out under the Jetwing Eternal Earth Programme (www.jetwingeternalearthprogramme.com). An umbrella term used for all community and nature-based projects as well as sustainability initiatives undertaken as a responsible tourism initiative by Jetwing, JEEP is divided into four sections – Community Outreach Initiatives, Sustainability, Eco Projects and Humanitarian Programmes. Some examples of successful and continuing initiatives include the Jetwing Youth Development Project, the Tuk Tuk! Project, Trees for Life, and energy saving measures introduced at hotels such as LED lighting, recycling of waste water for gardens, and power generation through solar panels and biomass boilers.
Family owned and in the tourism industry for the past 40 years, Jetwing Hotels has surpassed expectation at every aspect. Building on their foundation of being passionate, as well as the experience of true, traditional Sri Lankan hospitality, constantly pioneering discoveries captures the essence of the brand. Such a strong statement and direction have enabled Jetwing Hotels to imagine, create and manage marvels and masterpieces, where distinctive design and elegant comfort complement each other and the environment. Considered a priority, sustainable and responsible practice is implemented through the award winning Jetwing Eternal Earth Programme; with energy efficiency, community upliftment, and education of earth saving measures to schoolchildren being a few tenets of the Programme.
