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Keep-fit sessions a balm to Burundi - 24th June 2022

In Burundi, a country previously torn apart by sectarian violence, group exercises are helping to heal its social wounds.

After gaining independence from Belgium in 1962, the small nation's suffered cycles of bloodshed between its Hutu and Tutsi communities. Whilst this predicament has eased, it's left Burundi mired in an economic crisis, with a fragile welfare-state system, meaning that formal safety nets are lacking. As such, these group keep-fit classes have a key role to play in providing much-needed assistance.

Set up in 2004, The Beach Club Solidarity is perceived to be a crucial meeting point by its founder, Hussein Sinangwa. Despite having seen attendance dip in crisis periods, it's now flourishing.

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

Burundi, with its population of 12 million, is a melting pot of ethnic and religious groups and in these clubs, where there's a familial sense of unity, any differences between individuals melt away. For a mere 10 US cents, a manageable sum even in such a disadvantaged country, attendees like Sheilla join in the fun.

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."

Additional donations can be discreetly given to the coach by participants, in an initiative intended to provide relief to any club member during stressful periods, like covering emergencies or family bereavement.

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."

Together, working out in sweaty unison physically serves to create a strong sense of mutual support amongst members. This boosts members' confidence to grapple with difficulties, whether inside or outside the fitness arena.