There is more than one way to make a difference.

Swimming is where we start. The impact goes much further.

Every gift to Friends of Ishyaka helps Rwandan swimmers train and stay in school. At Ishyaka Swim Club, we’re building strong swimmers, but our ambitions go well beyond the pool. Sport opens doors for young people: confidence, leadership, friendships, and opportunities that last a lifetime. And it starts with something simple: learning to be safe in the water. Swimming, done differently.

• No pool? Use the lake. Karongi and Rutsiro don’t have pools to train in, so our swimmers train in Lake Kivu, on a course that replicates a 25-metre pool. Elite swimmers relocate to Rwanda’s capital to train in a pool, and Ishyaka also covers their lodging and pool membership.
• School comes first: We cover school fees and meals, so no one has to choose between swim training and school.
• Stronger together: Many swimmers that train with us are race for other teams. Their coaches know, and we’re happy to have them. Similarly, we share donated equipment with other clubs. Our goal is to strengthen swimming across Rwanda, not just within our own club.
• Meets open to all: Any Rwandan swimmer can compete at our meets, federated club or not, and we pay visiting teams’ transport, to remove another common barrier to entry.
• Rwandan coaches lead: Our coaches, including a two-time Olympian and former national team members, are developing the next generation, at Ishyaka and beyond.

Our swimmers compete internationally and represent Rwanda with pride. But we measure success in young people thriving in school and in life, Rwandan coaches becoming stronger leaders, and sport growing across the country.