Soneva Namoona holds Leaders of the Ocean Camp for Youth

A ten-day Leaders of the Ocean Camp was organized in Baa Kihaadhoo by Soneva Namoona and the Maldives Swimming and Life Saving Skills Training School with the goal of developing swimming instructors and empowering ocean stewards.

The camp offered the chance to obtain a National Level 2 Swimming and Water Aerobics Instructor License to 18 participants from 11 islands, including Holhudhoo, Magoodhoo, Maafaru, Kudafari, Baa (Kendhoo, Kamadhoo, Kudarikilu, Kihaadhoo, Dharavandhoo, and Maalhos), and Haa Dhaalu (Makunudhoo).

The curriculum for the Leaders of the Ocean Camp combined classroom instruction with a heavy emphasis on leadership development. Participants took part in a variety of activities, including leadership training sessions, zero waste education, training in survival skills, fire awareness, water aerobics, and program development.

The program offered the chance for participants to pass the necessary exams for the Swimming and Water Aerobics license, and they will need to complete 45 experience hours once they return to respective islands to earn their certification.

The Leaders of the Ocean Camp is the most recent of Soneva Namoona's initiatives in nearby islands designed to help young people develop their technical skills and instill an appreciation for the ocean in them. 700 young people have increased their water confidence over the past two years with the assistance of 22 Swimming and Water Rescue Instructors certified through this program.

"The Leaders of the Ocean Camp has been an amazing adventure for me. Making connections and learning more about our environment are just as important as mastering maritime abilities. Participant Ali Najih, 23, from B.Kihaadhoo said, "This experience has sparked a sense of leadership and responsibility within me. I'm delighted to take what I've learned back to my island and foster responsible oceangoing in my community.

"We are incredibly delighted to see how much each Leaders of the Ocean Camp participant has grown personally. According to Azhoora Ahmed, Soneva Namoona INSPIRE Manager, "We think that the information and principles shared during this camp will help to create a greener and more sustainable future for our island people.