From April 28 to May 1, 2025, Hue Help was honored to attend the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative to Prevent Drowning Partner Meeting in New York City, USA. This international event brought together experts and organizations from across the globe to share knowledge, successes, and strategies for saving lives through drowning prevention.
The event was sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies and co-organized by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
🌎 A Global Gathering for Drowning Prevention
Held at 25 East 78th Street, the partner meeting featured representatives from Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Uganda, the United States, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Delegates shared country progress, strategies, challenges, and innovations in preventing drowning, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Hue Help proudly represented Vietnam, in collaboration with GHAI, and had the opportunity to present our Water Safety and Basic Swim Instruction Program. During the session on Best Practices, Lessons Learned in Implementation, and Setting Targets, Le Thi Anh Dao (Program Manager at Hue Help) joined representatives from Bangladesh, Uganda, Ghana, and the United States to highlight our journey in providing swimming and water safety education to children in vulnerable communities.
Our presentation focused on:
- Achievements in reaching thousands of children with basic swim instruction
- Community-based approaches and school partnerships
- Lessons learned from rural and coastal implementation
- Goals for scaling up our program across Vietnam
🔍 Key Highlights from the Meeting
The three-day event was filled with dynamic sessions and networking opportunities. Here are some key highlights:
✅ Opening remarks from Kelly Henning (Bloomberg Philanthropies)
✅ Country presentations on national drowning prevention goals
✅ WHO Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention by Caroline Lukaszyk
✅ Panel discussions on strengthening drowning data and preventing researcher burnout
✅ Breakout groups focusing on swim instruction, childcare, flotation devices, weather alerts, and lifeguarding
✅ Interactive session on research gaps and implementation challenges
✅ Panel on scaling programs nationally, including success stories from Bangladesh and Vietnam’s Ministry of Health
✅ Strategic discussion on policy advocacy and government investment
✅ Insights from other movements: tobacco control, road safety, and environmental initiatives
✅ Session on communications for raising awareness and community demand
🏊 YMCA Site Visits – Community Impact in Action
After the main conference, Hue Help participated in two site visits organized by the YMCA of the USA – the country’s leading nonprofit committed to empowering individuals and building stronger communities.
📍 Americana YMCA
At the Americana YMCA, we observed structured, age-appropriate swimming lessons and spoke with families about the real-world benefits of YMCA swim programs. The safe, welcoming learning environment reinforced the importance of professional instruction and child-centered program design.
📍 ExxonMobil YMCA
At the ExxonMobil YMCA, we continued to learn how large-scale swim programs operate with a strong emphasis on safety, inclusion, and child development. The site visit included instructor-led demonstrations and open discussions with staff and community members.
💙 Gratitude and Commitment
We extend our sincere thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies and GHAI for this incredible opportunity to engage, learn, and share. Being part of a global network of passionate organizations reaffirmed our belief in the power of collaboration.
At Hue Help, we are more committed than ever to:
- Expanding access to swimming and water safety education
- Building stronger community programs
- Advocating for child drowning prevention at the national level
- Saving lives, one skill at a time
