Turning Tragedy Into Purpose: Providing free water-safety education programs to save lives
Born of tragedy and united in purpose, three organizations are providing no-cost water safety programs to families across Miami-Dade County.
In Miami, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14. Nationally, drowning deaths among children ages 1 to 4 have risen by more than 30%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Florida’s waters, the state consistently records the nation’s highest number of boating accidents and fatalities each year.
With support from the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, three organizations are making a difference.
The Edu Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting swim safety from an early age by providing free swim lessons to children in need. The foundation was founded by Key Biscayne residents Olga Londoño and Eduardo Fernandez, who lost their 15-month-old son, Edu, in a drowning accident.
Following the tragedy, they channeled their grief into raising awareness through swim instruction and water safety education. Last year, the foundation raised more than $300,000 to support lifesaving programs.
In 2024, the Edu Foundation joined Zero Drownings Miami-Dade, a groundbreaking water safety and swimming education program that provides thousands of young children with free swim lessons delivered through daily field trips from more than 100 schools and childcare centers throughout the county. Over the past two years, more than 33,000 swim lessons have been taught.
“KBCF and the Edu Foundation joined the largest collaboration ever created in Miami-Dade County to make Zero Drownings a reality,” said Melissa White, Executive Director of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation. “Thanks to the leadership of The Children’s Trust, The Miami Foundation, United Way Miami, the American Red Cross, Miami-Dade County, and many more partners, the Zero Drownings Miami-Dade Initiative is providing essential water safety lessons to 20,000 four-year-old children enrolled in public and private early learning centers and Miami-Dade County Public Schools kindergarteners every year.”
Like child drownings, boating accidents have trended upward over the last decade in Miami and across South Florida, largely driven by a massive spike in registered vessels, heavy congestion on the waterways, and a lack of navigation and boating safety education. With more than 1 million boats statewide, local marine traffic has surged, leading to more frequent incidents and fatalities.
The Monica Burguera Foundation was founded to honor the life of Monica, a vibrant 20-year-old Florida International University student whose tragic loss in a boating accident in 2006 inspired a mission: to make the waters safer for everyone.
After the fatal accident, Burguera’s family and friends established the Monica Burguera Foundation to raise boating safety awareness. The foundation partners with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which offers free monthly boating safety classes in English and Spanish, primarily at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, among other locations along the bay.
“We are proud to honor Monica’s memory by supporting the Foundation and helping protect families both on and off the water,” said Nick Estrella, CEO of Estrella Insurance and president of the Foundation. “Boating safety is essential. Taking the right precautions can save lives, including those of loved ones and others sharing the water.”
Since 2013, the Monica Burguera Foundation has certified more than 11,000 boaters through its “About Boating Safety Courses.” These one-day classes cover Florida boating requirements, navigation, and personal safety.
Thanks to the support of these organizations, thousands of children discover the joy of swimming every year, and countless boaters gain the vital knowledge they need to stay safe on the water. Truly turning tragedy into purpose.
Whether you’re a parent, swimmer, or just soaking up the sunshine, preparation is key! Join a class or get involved now.
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