Action and words matter

Words matter: how an event or issue is described has a huge influence on how a community perceives it and the people involved; how you speak to the people around you affects your relationship with them; and while politicians don’t own the franchise on emotive language, they definitely have the majority share.

But sometimes it’s time to act – thoughtfully.

An example of practical action this week was the handing over of beautiful handmade wooden toys by the Woodworkers’ Guild to Kenton Child Welfare last week.

Love is giving something of yourself – whether it’s something you’ve made, something you’ve thought about and bought, or just your time and attention. People in this part of the world do that a lot. And in this edition you’ll see many examples where thoughtful giving and mentorship have made a difference in people’s lives.

The drowning of a child in Makhanda last Friday was a terrible tragedy. It happened just down the road from Grey Dam, where every year people drown – often children seeking respite from the summer heat.

In less than two months, it will be the one-year anniversary of the drowning of four children at Middle Beach in Kenton.

Last weekend saw the activation of the NSRI’s Survival Swimming programme in Kenton and this Saturday, the programme will launch at Kiddies Beach in Port Alfred.

If you have the time and ability to help this project, please do. Details are on page 3.

Meanwhile, here is some important information from the NSRI’s Survival Swimming manual.

● Never swim alone.

● Never swim with your clothes on – they get heavy when they are wet.

● Never drink alcohol and swim.

● Never swim when you are too … ANYTHING: too tired, too hungry, too cold, too upset.

● Never run around the pool, river or dam – always walk.

● Never eat or chew while swimming.

● Never use your hand to rescue a friend.

● Never jump in to save your friend, rather call for help!

● Never leave a child alone when they are near water (most important ‘never’ for caregivers).

● Never be distracted by your cell phone while working with children in or near water.

What to do in an emergency and who to call

● Untrained individuals cannot provide advanced first aid however anyone can provide the following lifesaving steps in an emergency.

● Call for help immediately – NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre on 087094-9774 or the national emergency number on 112 (SA only). Save these numbers in your phone. Familiarise yourself with the emergency numbers in your country/ town.

● Calmly explain where you are, what happened, your name, if anyone has started first aid and what they are doing.

● If it is safe, provide firstaid. Alternatively, provide reassurance to the injured person if they are breathing or immediately perform Hands-on CPR if the person is not breathing and there is no pulse.