IODA, the International Optimist Association is happy to announce its third grant to East Africa, in this case Tanzania, under its "6 for 5" development programme.
This programme offers a free Optimist for every five bought to create or develop fleets in countries new to Optimist sailing.
The newly formed Tanzania Optimist Association is based in Dar es Salaam Yacht Club and, with the help of local sponsors, is placing an order for 18 Optimists. The three subsidised boats will be the property of the association and available to the children of non-sailors. The club has also donated its fleet of older wooden boats to the new association for novice training.
In the past two years IODA has made similar grants to groups in Kenya and Uganda which are working closely together. Next year the Kenyans will organise the fourth All-African Optimist Championship and it is hoped that this will stimulate yet more new fleets.
In a parallel development scheme in Central America, IODA is also sponsoring the creation of new fleets in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica, while assistance continues to the highly successful regional development scheme in the southern Caribbean.
Association { 04/10/2004 }
