Annual swim marks 40 years of twinning links with Nicaragua

The Lord Mayor, Chewe Munkonge, gave his opening speech, removed his ceremonial chain and joined volunteers for a swim in Hinksey open air pool.

The money raised in sponsorship by the swimmers will help to provide tanks to harvest rainwater for poor farmers living on the hillsides near Leon and contribute to an education project.

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Jen Houston, secretary of the Oxford Leon Association, tells me: “Nicaragua has been experiencing severe drought. There is also a crisis with the country’s food security and agricultural economy, so more rainwater harvesting tanks will really help.

“Our thanks to those at Hinksey pool for hosting us again, to those who came to help at the swim and to our swimmers, young and old, and their very generous sponsors.”

Nicaragua in Central America faces challenges such as volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and tidal waves as well as drought and lack of clean water.

In his speech, the Lord Mayor said that coming from Zambia, he understood the importance of having a clean, reliable water supply.

In a message to the swimmers, a project worker in Nicaragua said: “This is the end of the dry season and most of the rainwater harvesting tanks are empty as there has been so little rain.

“Families are having to take daily trips to the closest water source, natural springs.

“They haven’t been able to plant crops this year which is a worry. Hopefully, more rain will come soon. Drought years are difficult.”

Earlier this year, there were fears that the Oxford Leon Association established in 1986 would have to be wound up because of a dwindling number of supporters, but that threat was averted when volunteers came forward at the annual meeting to keep the link going