Healing Waters: African Migrants Overcome Trauma Through Swimming

Young African migrants, recovering from traumatic sea crossings, are learning to swim on Tenerife beaches. Led by Spanish volunteers, these lessons help alleviate their water trauma. The number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands has surged, with many facing perilous journeys. Volunteers hope to assist around 450 individuals this summer.

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain, July 24 (Reuters) - Smiling broadly, despite their nervousness, dozens of young African migrants donned swimming goggles and ventured into the knee-deep waters of a Tenerife beach, guided by Spanish volunteer instructors.

Many of these migrants suffer from water trauma resulting from their perilous crossings to the Canary Islands from countries like Senegal or Mauritania. Cramped into unsafe boats, some barely survived, while others lost family members or friends to the ocean. "There are people who come with a terrible fear that you see when they get into the water holding your hand as if clinging to life," commented Jorge Balcazar, coordinator of Project Agua at the rescue charity Proemaid.

Spain's interior ministry reported a 160% increase in irregular sea arrivals to the archipelago between January and July 15 compared to the previous year, totaling almost 20,000 people. Migration rights group Walking Borders noted that nearly 5,000 migrants have died at sea on this route during the same period, an unprecedented number. Volunteers hope to train 450 individuals this summer, said Francisco Navarro of non-profit ACCEM.

Proemaid's Balcazar emphasized that even a few sessions make a significant difference, reducing trauma among non-swimmers and experienced swimmers alike. "Their gratitude gives us a huge boost of energy," he added.