Oldham Zumba organisers showcased at major charity event

A charity who started life by tackling period poverty in Africa but who now works with aerobics instructors to keep Oldham women healthy, will tell international visitors that being happy and agile is the secret of success.   

Kana Josee Bizimana (centre of picture) responded to a cry for help from the continent of her birth in 2016.

And she took the same tact again pre-Covid, by setting up Girls with Pride and Dignity and organising fitness sessions for her sisters here; plus a scheme with local churches to ensure Oldham women received a “Dignity Monthly Gift” of feminine hygiene products .

And this ability to respond to people’s needs wherever they are, will be set up as an example for others to follow at a special social enterprise event in Oldham tomorrow (Wednesday).

There are currently 131,000 social enterprises in the UK creating work for 2.3 million people.

But Josee jokes that none of them will have a Self-Love Table like she does!

She said: “I registered my British charity Girls with Pride and Dignity back in 2021 and we have since helped supply food banks and distribute female hygiene products.

"Our wellbeing events at local churches are really well attended.

"The classes were aimed at my sisters who felt isolated and lacked health knowledge.

"They include table-top discussions around caring for yourself. It makes me so happy to see what it has achieved.”

Upturn, the organisers of the Social Enterprise celebration were keen to showcase Josee as an example to others to follow.

They also wanted the event – held in their new Spindles shopping centre hub The Hive – to be a way for noble causes to share their wares and build partnerships.

“One of the things that social enterprises do best is building bridges with others for the benefit of all,” said Muzahid Khan DL.

“The number of alliances made between people as diverse as care companies to marketeers is staggering.

"That is because they have a common denominator – aiding the improvement of communities.”

Josee concluded: “Without Upturn and the borough of Oldham, my dream would not have come true.

"They have helped me make the right connections, finding funding and explaining things like marketing.

"Come along to their event and you will get that help, too!”

The Upturn Social Enterprise Celebration event takes place at:

The Hive

The Spindles Shopping Centre

Oldham

Wednesday 20 November

Midday – 4pm

Aside from meeting others and learning the value of worthy causes, guests can tour Upturn’s new Hive and see for themselves the business space and meeting and media rooms available for social enterprises.

Learn more at: www.upturn.org.uk

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