Christian organization, PSL preach faith thru swimming

MANILA, Philippines - The Center for Community Transformation, a Christian organization dedicated to the education of street children, is using swimming as a vehicle to inculcate moral values that will transform lives and is gaining ground with the shining performance of its students in the just-concluded Hong Kong invitational meet in the former Crown Colony.

Dave James Andebor, 11, won in the 200m butterfly on his first try out of the country, thanks to financial support of the CCT, which paid for his trip, and the Philippine Swimming League coaches which handle the training of street children housed in the CCT compound in Davao.

The other swimmer was Elson Jake Rodriguez, who teamed up with Andebor to win the gold in the 4x200m medley relay and freestyle relay. In winning the gold in both events, the PSL also broke the existing Hongkong meet records.

The PSL, the national sports association for universities and colleges under the umbrella of the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines (FESSAP), is on a mission to promote the sport of swimming on the grassroots level.

While training on the club level is its main thrust, the PSL, in coordination with the DPS under former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, has embarked on a “spiritual mission” to reach out to the less privileged whom they train to be competitive in the sport and in life.

“They are transformed, we praise God,” said CCT president Ruth Callanta who sponsored the airfare and accommodation of the children.

“Swimming will fully transform them, we are looking forward to seeing these kids earning swimming scholarships when they reach high school and even up to college,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

Both were treated with a city tour and trip to Disneyland as part of their cultural education and bonus for fine performance.

Both swimmers qualified in representing their region for the Palarong Pambansa kicking off tomorrow.

Papa said she is now coordinating with CCT-Davao head coach Jun Rodriguez to start a long-term developmental program in the region. The CCT has branches nationwide.

She said the PSL, together with Rodriguez and Pastor Edwin Andebor, hopes to extend its learn-to-swim outreach program to the rest of the street children community.