First annual Water Safety Festival in North Minneapolis, Minnesota was a big success
On Sunday, April 20, Dr. Ayanna Rakhu and Sankofa Swim Internal collaborated with V3 Sports and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and several...
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Dr. Ayanna Rakhu, Founder of Sankofa Swim International
“64% of African Americans do not know how to swim. I want to see that change. It’s important to me.”
Our Work
Sankofa Swim International is passionate about making a difference. We're dedicated to reducing drowning incidents among African Americans and increasing swim participation in diverse communities. Our approach involves creating transformative swim training and curriculum that not only saves lives but also opens up exciting opportunities for careers in aquatics.
SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2020, SSI HAS:
6
new partnerships and flagship programs launched
500+
new swimmers
re-introduced to the water
100
swimmers trained and advanced to their next-level of skill
200+
pairs of goggles and swim caps distributed.
Our Focus
Healing, Recreation, Occupation
Aquatics provides a valuable and enriching form of healing, recreation and occupation to the human family. Our goal is to increase the number of people of African descent engaging positively in aquatics thereby changing drowning rates and empowering human development.
We do this through an innovative swim curriculum developed by Dr. Rakhu that is customized to target the unique cultural and technical needs of each swimmer and community.
SSI swim safety program
Our Approach
SSI’s unique approach to swim training is rooted in Dr. Rakhu’s Swim Efficacy and Reclamation (SER) Model (™) designed specifically to help participants overcome water-related fear and trauma.
Developing a healthy relationship with the water is at the core of this model that helps swimmers build confidence, learn new skills and reconnect with the water. The SER Model (™) is girded by a strong cultural component, providing swimmers with caps that fit their locks and curls, and a safe, therapeutic space to de-stress and be supported.
Learn More about the SER Model(™)
What Swimmers are Saying
"This event, W.A.D.E. was just amazing. I am an adult that never learned to swim. At W.A.D.E., I learned that humans can breathe underwater. I didn’t know that. I also learned how to float and how to control my body in the water. This whole experience has given me such hope… I’m excited, I’m encouraged and I can do this.”
Kim Morrow | Participant
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