Sport Senza Frontiere ETS

A free annual aquatics course is being offered in Rome to 40 beneficiaries—parents and children aged 6 months to 6 years—who are part of the international protection system for asylum seekers and refugees (SIPROIMI circuits), with a special focus on those who have experienced water-related traumas. The project leverages the rehabilitative power of sports to guide beneficiaries toward a path of inclusion and integration, supported by qualified professionals, including educators, psychologists, and sports technicians. By providing opportunities that bridge the gap between initial aid and long-term support, the project is being able to mitigate the cycle of frustration and deprivation experienced by refugees. The opportunities offered by Amica Acqua foster positive social relationships, enhance psycho-physical well-being, and contribute to health prevention both for adults and children involved.

One of the project's key strengths lies in its intervention model, which seeks to build proximity networks within the community. By fostering positive collaborations between reception centers, sports associations, volunteers, and Sport Senza Frontiere operators, the model ensures that beneficiaries are integrated into a system that strengthens both the integration process and the fabric of the local community. All beneficiaries are comfortable in this new sporting environment and accept the challenge of learning to swim.

The course is realized thanks to the valuable work of the Instructors. From a technical perspective, the weekly water sessions aspire to achieve the following outcomes: 

• Enhance participants' comfort with water, allowing them to move freely and confidently without support. 
• Preserve and develop innate aquatic skills in children. 
• Make participants acquire breathing and floating techniques. 
• Strengthen mother-child and family relationships, as well as interactions with technical and support staff. 
• Improve the socio-relational and communicative skills of the beneficiaries.

Lessons include water games and exercises ideated to improve motor skills, with fun.

Sport Senza Frontiere provides a transportation service for beneficiaries to reach the sports facility, also taking care of the SSF staff transfers.

From recruitment through to the end of the rehabilitation process, the project staff -comprising the Coordinator, psychologists, and educators—conducts a continuous monitoring. This involves regular interaction with both instructors and beneficiaries to track progress toward the project's objectives.

All beneficiaries are obtaining a sense of comfort and greater safety in the water, as well as a significant improvement in swimming abilities. Morepver, psychological well-being is enhanced (increased self-confidence and self-esteem), and social relationships are strenghtened through the development of new friendships and improvement in group interactions.