TO help the visually impaired, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines recently launched its extension project “PARA Swimming Program.”

Led by College of Human Kinetics dean Lualhati A. Dela Cruz, the program is in collaboration with the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children.

“It was an honor to witness this historic event in which CHK officials, faculty members, administrators, and selected BSESS and BPED students came together and remained committed to a common goal: to ensure a community needs-based project or program that can make a difference in the lives of beneficiaries with the help of a roster of experts,” PUP President Dr. Manuel Muhi said.

The school held a four-day session designed to help visually impaired children easily adapt to water.

Expert instructors for the program include Asst. Prof. Ronald Alejo Guiriba, who is the head coach of the PUP Men’s Swimming Team, and Janvier Mantala, a former PUP Varsity Swimming Team member with expertise in aquatics courses.

This extension project provided a venue for the promotion and maintenance of more adaptive and inclusive sports, it said.

During the first session, Guiriba emphasized familiarization with the water environment.

Mantala, on the other hand, asked participants to perform a series of drills to develop their feel for water including culling and breathing techniques below and above the water surface l.

Buoyancy drills were also introduced.

Sessions will again be held on August 19, 26, and September 2 to complete the initial stage of their extension program.