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Scuba Academy
Introduction
The Blue Reef Divers Scuba
Academy commenced in March 2010 at Jakaranda Children’s Home.
In
conjunction with Bluereefdivers we aim to develop the skills and the
self-esteem of some of the Jakaranda Children’s Home’s scholars over a period
of three years. The project raises awareness of the importance of protecting
the aquatic environment, teaches its participants about nature, and generates
more caring attitudes towards the environment.
Key
Objectives
Children with scuba diving skills and qualifications can secure a
future in this diverse industry. Skills development as well as an increased
awareness of the importance of aquatic conservation is two of the fundamental
objectives.
The Scuba Academy aspires to achieve a paradigm shift in the minds
of the learners to care more for the environment and to teach the learners
about the many ways that they can make a difference. We incorporate the
conservation principles of Project AWARE, an international conservation
initiative, in its training material to help teach the learners about the
importance of conservation.
Traditionally, learners at the Jakaranda Children’s Home are less
trusting of people and circumstances due to their past experiences. Scuba
diving is underlined by a system of trust, which the academy aims to instill in
the hearts of these young learners.
Project
Operations
The academy
uses scuba diving instruction as an avenue to skill its learners in a field
that will potentially provide them with employment opportunities once they
leave the security of the Jakaranda Children’s Home.
The first
12 divers were chosen and trained during April 2010. Huge success were obtained
with kids becoming scuba instructors.
The children
undergo swim training before they commence their entry-level scuba diving
course. The diving course includes theoretical training, swimming pool dives,
lake dives and sea dives.
Once the
scholars have obtained their PADI Open Water certification, the newly qualified
divers are evaluated and selected to receive advanced scuba diving training
during the following year.
After the
advanced training is complete, the divers who show a keen aptitude for a
specialized career in diving will be further selected to receive focused
training in the area that best suits them individually.
Specialist training
will take place in the final year, hereby completing the 3-year scuba diving
program.
The spectrum
of specialist training is broad and can include National Geographic Diver,
AWARE Fish Identification, Coral Reef Conservation, Underwater Naturalist, Peak
Performance Buoyancy, Digital Underwater Photography, Underwater Videographer,
and many more.
In the
ever-growing diving industry, employment opportunities for divers, whether
entry-level, certified or specialist divers are broad. Bluereefdivers Academy,
with its sizeable network, will help its learners to find employment after
their departure from the Jakaranda Children’s Home.
Project
AWARE
Project AWARE is
an international conservation initiative managed by the Project AWARE
Foundation. The foundation is the scuba diving industry’s leading non-profit
environmental organization and is dedicated to the conservation of the aquatic
ecosystems. Project AWARE focuses on education, advocacy and action
in its efforts to preserve the underwater environment. The
Bluereefdivers Scuba Academy incorporates the following subject matter from
Project AWARE in its training programs:
·
The ocean commons and coastal
zone issues
·
Fisheries challenges and
sustainability
·
Coral environment overview and
inhabitants
·
The role of the scuba diver in
protecting aquatic environments
Our ocean conservation adventure started as a project – an
environmental ethic initiated by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors
(PADI®) in the late 80’s. Project AWARE and
PADI share a rich partnership that has been critical to our historical success
and organizational growth. Many times, we are confused as one in the same. This
is how important our partners are to us – we are co-creators and allies in our
daily work. We inspire, inform and provide the tools needed to engage and
connect individuals, governments, NGOS, and businesses who share our values and
vision for a clean, healthy ocean.
Become
Involved
HOW? We invite you to participate in this
developmental program. Opportunities include the provision of diving gear, sea
life posters, aquatic books, informative DVD’s, medical supplies, and funding.
For additional opportunities, please contact a BlueReef Divers or Jakaranda
Children’s Home Marketing Department.
WHY? Our purpose with the Scuba project
is to develop skills and self-esteem, while raising awareness of the importance
of protecting the aquatic environment and learning more about nature.
By obtaining certain skills through scuba diving and qualifying up
to a certain level, a child can secure a future with ample job opportunities in
this fast-growing industry.
BENEFITS FOR YOU!
The Bluereefdivers Scuba
Academy provides sponsors with unique opportunities to make a difference in the
lives of destitute children by helping to secure a future in the diving
industry. Sponsors also benefit from the in-direct participation in marine
clean-ups, data collection and overall marine conservation.
We aim to achieve our objectives by involving companies, private
individuals, as well as representatives of the diving industry in this exciting
initiative by offering the following benefits:
·
As an initiative for the
Jakaranda Children’s Home, the Bluereefdivers Scuba Academy project provides
sponsors the security of an established community-based brand and will conduct
its fund-raising activities under the auspices of the Jakaranda Children’s
Home.
·
The project will be spearheaded
by a management committee comprising experienced individuals form the Jakaranda
Children’s Home. The committee’s responsibilities will include the overall
management of its sponsors’ participation in the project, planning and
conducting the project, as well as planning and conducting the project’s
overall fundraising initiatives.
·
All funding will be managed by
the Jakaranda Children’s Home.
·
Sponsors names/logos will
receive exposure on the Jakaranda Children’s Home website and in the company newsletters.
Branding opportunities will also be available to companies at fundraising
events in the form of banners and branded collateral, applicable to the type of
fundraising function. Sponsors will receive regular updates and ongoing
feedback by the managing committee pertaining the progress of the scuba
academy, including all the latest news and events.
Contact
us
Jakaranda Children’s Home
Marketing Department
012-800 4700 / 073 844 9266
marketing@jacarandachildren.co.za
Frans Burger
PADI Master Instructor
+2782 453 8694
info@brdivers.co.za
