About us
My name is Ananias Kiconco, commonly known as Mr. Pineapple and founder of Lake Bunyonyi Pineapple Community Project. I started out in 2018, when I was just 23, with 35 kids and now, in 2023 we are already 48. In the beginning I only offered swimming lessons, but soon decided, that I wanted to add a kindergarten to the project, too. Since villages around Lake Bunyonyi are not easily accessed by public transport, most schools are located on islands and can be reached by dugout canoes only. However, accidents are frequent and since most people don't know how to swim, many drown. Therefore I want to get the kids "lake-ready" before heading off to elementary school, thus making their lives much safer. Our swimming lessons have become very popular and often we are more than 50 people joining, consisting of both kids and adults.
Where we are located
Situated in the southwest part of Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is not only the most beautiful of Uganda’s great lakes, but also the deepest lake in the whole of the African continent. Due to no wild life being dependent on the lake, it is one of the few lakes in Africa that is safe enough to swim. No hippos, no crocodiles.
Swimming project
Despite living by the lake all their lives and relying on the food from the water, 90% of the population around the lake cannot swim. Crossing the lake with dugout canoes is part of daily life of all surrounding communities and fatal accidents are frequent. Learning how to swim can therefore save lives and also introduce a very affordable hobby to the locals.
Our swimming classes are frequented by both kids and adults alike.
Nursery school
The school system around the lake consists of an elementary school in each community around the lake and a secondary school on an island in the middle of the lake. Many mothers face the challenge of having to juggle looking after the crops and household chores while taking care of the small children until they are old enough to go to elementary school. There is currently no formal education until then.
In order to fill the gap we have founded a nursery school, which consists of three groups now (baby class, middle class, top class) and a total of 48 kids.
