The man building swimming pools in Gaza

In this episode, Annie Kelly reports from Gaza, highlighting the inspiring work of Amjad Tantesh, who has dedicated his life to teaching local children how to swim. With his handmade swimming school constructed on the beach in Der al-Balah, Amjad aims to offer both joy and life-saving skills to Gaza’s youth. Amidst the laughter of children like nine-year-old Mustafa and ten-year-old Mariam, who dream of careers as a doctor and dentist, Amjad's swimming lessons represent a semblance of normalcy in a war-torn region.

The episode conveys the palpable joy the beach brings these children, while also addressing the harsh realities they face. Many, like 13-year-old Alma, deal with trauma from war, losing loved ones in the conflict. Amjad shares his journey, recalling how he lost his brother and students to violence, which spurred him to continue his swimming initiative despite the loss and destruction.

Amjad’s resilience shines through as he recounts his efforts to reconstruct swimming pools repeatedly destroyed in attacks. His determination led to the establishment of safe swimming areas using simple materials such as tarpaulin and sandbags. Today, despite living in a tent and facing immense challenges, he has managed to attract hundreds of children to his classes, providing them an escape from their grim reality.

The episode also touches on the broader situation in Gaza, where the majority of the population lives in dire conditions without schools or adequate healthcare. Despite these challenges, Amjad remains hopeful about the future of his swimming project, eager to help children reclaim their childhood through the joy of swimming.