Swimming, done differently

Your gift to Friends of Ishyaka, a US 501(c)(3), keeps Rwanda’s young swimmers training through 2027. In Rwanda, competitive swimming is mostly for families who can pay. At Ishyaka Swim Club, any young Rwandan willing to work has a place. More than 60 swimmers train most days, in Lake Kivu and in Kigali, coached by Rwandans including a two-time Olympian.

A Year in the Water raises $30,000 to keep them there. $85 keeps the whole team in the water for a day.

About checkout: At checkout, you'll see a box to cover the card & platform fees. If you can, please leave it ticked, so that 100% of your gift reaches Ishyaka. It is optional.

How we break down the barriers

School comes first. We pay school fees so no one has to stop training to earn them.
No pool? Use the lake. Swimmers in Karongi and Rutsiro train in a sheltered bay, where we have replicated a 25-meter pool.
Top swimmers move to Kigali. We cover pool fees, housing, school and meals.
Meets open to all. Any Rwandan swimmer can compete, federated club or not, and we pay visiting teams’ transport.

Who you’re giving to
Friends of Ishyaka, Inc. is a US 501(c)(3) public charity in Maryland (EIN 42-1961484). Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by US law. Our board decides how gifts are used, makes grants to Ishyaka Swim Club for agreed programmes, and follows up on how the money is spent.

Many employers match gifts, so check with yours. Anything above $30,000 goes into Ishyaka’s 2027 programme. Learn more at www.ishyakasports.org.

A Year in the Water for Rwanda’s swimmers

Ishyaka Swim Club gives any Rwandan swimmer willing to work a place to train, in Lake Kivu and in Kigali. Your tax-deductible gift to Friends of Ishyaka keeps more than 60 swimmers training and in school through 2027. Read more below!

Team Members