Support a child from a financially disadvantaged family to learn swimming with a donation of just £24
“Just as every child learns to ride a bicycle, every child should learn to swim.”
Kerala is blessed with an abundance of natural water resources. Rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, backwaters and a long coastline. Yet, despite being surrounded by water, a large proportion of Kerala’s population lacks even basic swimming skills.
Recognising this urgent need, renowned international adventurous swimmer, coach and motivational speaker S.P. Muraleedharan launched the ambitious “Swim Kerala Swim” initiative. The programme aims to make swimming accessible to all children and young people across Kerala, regardless of their financial circumstances.
A Vision Born from Experience
S.P. Muraleedharan’s own life story is a remarkable journey of determination, perseverance and achievement.
Born in Alappuzha district, Muraleedharan came from humble beginnings. At the age of 21, he travelled to Mumbai in search of employment. With limited educational qualifications and language barriers, opportunities were scarce. Eventually, he found work as a swimming pool cleaner at the prestigious Juhu Gymkhana Club.
What began as a modest job became the foundation of an extraordinary career. Through dedication and hard work, Muraleedharan mastered professional swimming techniques and went on to coach numerous individuals, including celebrities and elite athletes.
Today, he is internationally recognised as an adventurous swimmer and coach. His achievements include:
- First Malayali to swim across the Palk Strait between Sri Lanka and India, covering 35 kilometres.
- Participant in the World Open Water Swimming Competition in Lake Zurich, Switzerland, where he secured fifth place among 150 competitors.
- Successful crossing of the Mumbai Sea.
- First person in the world to swim around the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari.
- Trainer of more than 5,000 individuals, including personnel from the Kerala Police and participants from India and abroad.
- Motivational speaker and author who has inspired thousands of young people through his life story.
His achievements have earned recognition and awards from state and central government bodies as well as numerous organisations.
From Adventure Swimming to Saving Lives
Despite his international accomplishments, Muraleedharan’s greatest passion today is teaching ordinary people how to stay safe in water.
Concerned by the alarming number of drowning deaths reported each year in Kerala, he launched the Swim Kerala Swim campaign with a simple but powerful mission: to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn life-saving swimming skills.
The programme teaches much more than swimming strokes. Participants learn:
- Water confidence
- Floating techniques
- Survival skills in deep water
- Safe entry and exit methods
- Basic rescue awareness
- Physical fitness and stamina
These skills can save lives during accidents, floods and emergencies.
Several retired military personnel and trained life-saving volunteers have already joined the initiative, contributing their expertise to make the programme even more effective.
Inspirational Speech by Megastar Mammootty https://youtu.be/j4lwEBGmi_8
A Long-Term Vision for Kerala
The organisation’s vision extends far beyond individual training camps.
Many of Kerala’s traditional water bodies have become polluted due to uncontrolled human activities, limiting opportunities for safe swimming instruction. To address this challenge, the organisation plans to establish dedicated Swimming Academies in every Taluk across Kerala, beginning with Cherthala in Alappuzha district.
The academies will provide safe, structured environments where children and adults can learn swimming and water safety throughout the year.
In addition to swimming, the organisation promotes activities in arts, culture and personal development, helping nurture responsible, disciplined and productive citizens for the future.
Sponsorship Can Save Lives
The success of this mission depends heavily on public support. The cost of teaching one child to swim is remarkably affordable. A sponsorship of just ₹3,000 (approximately £24) can provide a child from a financially disadvantaged family with a complete two-week swimming programme.
This sponsorship covers:
- Swimming instruction
- Swimming cap
- Goggles
- Essential swimming gear
- Safety equipment and training resources
- Hiring a suitable venue
Children often learn surprisingly quickly, and the confidence they gain remains with them for life.
A small contribution today could one day save a life. A Call to Malayalee Associations and individuals Worldwide
Malayalee associations, community organisations, charitable trusts, businesses and individuals are invited to support the Swim Kerala Swim initiative by sponsoring children from low-income families.
Kerala’s global diaspora has always responded generously when communities needed support. Today, there is an opportunity to invest in a programme that offers lifelong benefits.
Corporate organisations may also consider supporting the programme through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, helping expand free swimming and water safety training across Kerala.
Every sponsorship directly contributes to equipping children with a life-saving skill that could protect them, their families and their communities.
How to Support:
One-off donation to: Milestone Swimming promoting Charitable Society.
A/C No 110130383895, IFSC CODE: CNRB0003567
Bank Address: Canara Bank, Ernakulam, Vyttila, Kerala , India Pin 682019.
(if you require assistance in making payment to Milestone Swimming promoting Charitable Society, please contact Kerala Link (email: info@keralalink.co.uk)
More Than Swimming
Swimming develops confidence, discipline, resilience and physical fitness. It can inspire participation in competitive sports and create pathways to excellence. More importantly, it teaches children not to fear water but to respect and understand it.
For a state surrounded by rivers, lakes and the sea, swimming should be regarded as a fundamental life skill, just like cycling.
The vision of S.P. Muraleedharan is simple: a Kerala where every child can swim and every family is safer because of it.
That vision can become a reality – but only with collective support.
A contribution of just £24 can help a child gain a skill that may one day save a life. Few investments offer such a lasting impact
One response
An excellent initiative for which I congratulate Mr Muraleedharan and Philip ,Kerala Link!
This venture is essential to encourage young and old alike to learn this life saving skill as part of fitness training!
Best Wishes for its success!