The 24th of April 2021 experienced the launch of ARise 2.
The Launch was hosted by Mary Kachitsa and presented by Tikhala Chimpango; the director of Woman ARise. The Launch opened with a prayer. After the welcome remarks by Barbara Makhalira, one of the Woman Arise Trustees, Tikhala presented a PowerPoint presentation which was entitled “SHEROSE – The Maze of Life”.
Tikha pointed out that the emergence of the covid-19 pandemic had exposed serious social, economic, health and financial gaps among societies in the UK. She further stated that these inequality gaps had existed even before the advent of the pandemic. Using the Runnymede 2020 report Runnymede 2020: The Colour of Money, Tikha highlighted the social-economic and financial inequality disparities that exist between different peoples in the UK, noting that overall, the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) have low levels of assets and savings.
Tikha explained that there are at least three approaches in which these inequalities are addressed. The first one is at a national level across the board. The NHS, for example, provides healthcare to the whole nation. Another approach is through affirmative action whereby government policies target specific individuals or groups which have a disadvantaged status in society. The third approach, assuming agency, is when individuals or specific groups take a proactive commitment to make free choices that contribute to either their personal or community developments.
The objective of the ARise 2 project is to adopt the third approach, assuming agency. ARise 2 has scheduled 5 monthly workshops (from May 2021) that will create space for women to use their reasoning, imagination, intuition, perception, memory and willpower to develop themselves. The platform will among other things encourage women to think and explore various opportunities that would drive them to enrich their lives. The platform will also provide space where women will teach, encourage and empower each other. Quoting Russell Conwell’s Acres of Diamond, Tikha likened every woman to a diamond; every woman has potential (rough diamond), she just needs to be unleashed (polished)…meaning that women should search within (‘dig’) themselves to identify their long lost dreams or goals and come up with action plans on how they are going to realise the goals.
Project Objectives
In summary, the project aims to create safe spaces for women in Greater Manchester to work with mentors/coaches in the following areas.
1. Formulating personal goals and Vision
2. Accountability (working with mentors will help in maintaining focus on personal goals and having consistent conversations about how one can improve.
3. Developing Knowledge and skills (mentors will help identify the expertise needed to succeed, including confidence building, and improving presentation and communication skills. Participants will also get help on how they can leverage, including books, articles and events.
4. Building Networks (Mentors will offer opportunities to expand participants' existing network of contacts by introducing participants to other people and possibilities.
The important outcome of these workshops will be the experience of collectively going through the process of exploring and finding out ways to break the barriers that prevent women from achieving their goals. Barriers come in different forms, be it beliefs or identities that inhibit women from being ‘SHEROSE’ … She (Woman) Hero (Embedded within) Rose (Soar).
Tea Break
Ms Matamando who is the ‘resident’ singer of Women ARise Activities performed a song called ‘Stand Up’ which resonated with the theme of the day. (https://www.facebook.com/matamandomusic/posts/1574331282757277)
Mentors
Shamime Jan (Herbalife Coach and Founder of Bollyfit Active, Community Worker)
Shamime has a passion for supporting women. In her 25 years of working with women, she has observed that all women are special and unique. She further stated that all women need care and love, hence her involvement in Bollyfit Active and Herbal Life projects. She has further observed that once women are taken care of, they gain confidence and the belief to sparkle. They in turn become the people who God created them to be. Shamime stated that she was looking forward to providing mentorship in the ARise 2 project. As much as she is excited to take the leading role, she is also positive that she will gain something magical from the project.
Tamanda Amanda Kalua (ACCA Financial Chartered Accountant)
Ms Kalua stated that she is looking forward to working on the ARise 2 project. She stated that women need to change their narrative and outlook towards life – to aim higher. This requires a mindset change and the development of inner strength that will drive them to change. Women need to develop plans of action so that they succeed in their goals. ARise 2 will therefore provide a learning curve for women to plan and execute their actions.
Mhla Edith (Learning and Development Expert)
Mhla recognised that women go through a lot of challenges in their lives. She has had first-hand experience regarding such challenges. She stated that it takes platforms like ARise 2 for a woman to rediscover her purpose. This is why she is looking forward to being part of the project. She explained that instead of serving shame, mistakes should serve as a purpose to develop oneself, therefore women should not be afraid of starting over. Quoting Esther Muchemi’s Give Me My Mountain. Mhla stated that challenges feel like mountains. However, these ‘mountains’ can be scaled, as long as there is a good environment such as Women Arise. She was positive that the ARise 2 project will help women scale the ‘mountains’ as they learn and find ways to conquer their mountains collectively.
Grace Tsepayi (Women Empowerment Forum)
Grace stated that although women come in different vessels from different places. When such women come together, they create something great. This is because they share their success stories, they share ideas about how they became successful, thereby empowering each other. Grace has observed that spaces, where women can meet and interact with each other are scarce within communities. She appraised the Arise 2 project stating that it is the ideal forum for women to grow and develop the right mindset with other women who share the same sentiments, to empower each other and to build confidence within themselves. The outcome of these meetings will in turn spill outwards to encompass families and societies.
Gloria Zimba (Business Expert)
Gloria stated that the platform will provide an opportunity for women to find out what they are looking for in life. She reiterated that the platform would create an environment where women will develop a positive mindset. She stated that networking with the right women is important as they help find solutions to the various projects that people are pursuing. She further stated that the more polished the network, the more value that can be earned. She stated that she is looking forward to sharing her knowledge of planning, setting goals, and vision boards with the group.
Conclusion
· There was a Q&A session that addressed some of the queries that the attendees had.
· The directors asked those who are interested in the project to get in touch and register for the project.
· Dates and Times
for the Workshops will be communicated later.
· The Launch was closed with a prayer from Ms Barbara Makhalira.
Founders: Mary Kachitsa and Tikhala Chimpango.
Trustees: Barbara Makhalira, Tamanda Kalua and Chrissy Mlotha
Funded by The National Lottery
By Patricia Kulipa Chimangeni – Women Arise.
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