Old Boma Hotel, Mikindani, Tanzania
Trade Aid regret to announce the very sad news that Rehemia John Zomari tragically died whilst using the Old Boma swimming pool on 25th December 2024.
Rehemia was seen to be unable to surface in the water and the alarm was raised; the Old Boma staff on duty at the time and a guest immediately went to recover Rehemia and then proceeded to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As this was not proving successful the casualty was driven to the hospital in Mikindani, just a few minute’s drive away. Unfortunately the treatment given by the medical team there was also unsuccessful. Rehemia was 23 years old.
This news is particularly difficult for the Trade Aid team as Rehemia was the son of John Zomari, who for many years was an employee of Trade Aid and through marriage is related to previous and current employees and a trustee of Trade Aid.
Trade Aid has supported the family as far as possible in the time since this accident.
We would like to praise the whole team at the Old Boma for working together but in particular those who were directly involved in trying to save Rehemia’s life (Emmanuel Mwambe, Moza Mohamed, Amina Liloko, Dickson Kamanga and Yusuph Mohamedi). We would also like to thank and praise Dr Otmari Mwambe, a relative of Rehemia, who was the guest that assisted our team.
Rehemia was generally fit and a good swimmer but had been ill and was taking medication. The family decided that they did not want to carry out a post mortem examination so his cause of death is listed as drowning. The Police were informed immediately and they are not treating the death as suspicious.
The health and safety of our guests, trainees, staff and volunteers remains our first priority and we are continuing to actively create a healthy and safe environment for all.
We are very proud of the free swimming classes that we have delivered to local children, our employees and trainees over the last two decades in the Old Boma pool.
We would like to thank everyone for the support that has been given during this difficult time