Keep-fit classes heal communities - 24th June 2022

Group exercises in Burundi are building bridges between communities after years of fighting.

Since its independence from Belgium in 1962, this small African country's frequently experienced fighting between its Hutu and Tutsi people. The situation's improved, but Burundi's economy remains extremely weak. There aren't government systems in place to help people who are ill or live in poverty, but exercise clubs play an important role in providing help.

The clubs are meeting points for many. Although numbers decrease in times of economic crisis, for now they're increasing again. Hussein Sinangwa has been running his club since 2004.

Hussein Sinangwa: "Mass sport is important on the whole, because people from all walks of life converge, across political parties, ethnicities and religions."

The country's 12 million people come from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. However, in the exercise clubs, everyone's part of one family. People who attend pay around 10 US cents, which is manageable for most.

Sheilla takes part frequently.

Sheilla: "Anytime you want you can come, and it's very cheap. At the gym there it's very expensive - not, not anyone can afford to go there. It's just like that. That's why I prefer to come here."

Those who attend can contribute a little extra donation to the coach. This money assists other members who are experiencing family emergencies, such as illness.

Hussein Sinangwa: "We help each other with the money that we collect as contributions. When there's a sick person in our organisation - a member of the club - we assist him in case of illness, in case of death or other issues."

The group exercises help provide a sense of togetherness. Everyone feels stronger and more able to cope with problems, both in and out of the class.