From Isolation to Connection

It was July 2024. Soda had just arrived in Belgium. She hardly knew anyone and felt isolated. Anne-Claire, a naturopath living in Brussels for 14 years, was just coming out of burnout. Before the meeting, she had a lot of questions:
How do you build a connection without overstepping? Will I find the right words? Where do I even begin?

But from the moment they met, something clicked. Their conversations flowed naturally. A bond started forming—first around a shared love of cooking, then through everyday moments. Anne-Claire showed Soda Brussels through the eyes of a local. They walked the city together, shared meals, laughed, and opened up to each other.

“I love my buddy Anne-Claire. She’s so kind—we see each other often, we talk all the time, we go out together… Honestly, SINGA made me feel good.” — Soda

Three months later, the program ended… but the friendship stayed strong.

Lighting the Way Together

For Soda, that meeting was a turning point. As a newcomer, she struggled to go out, to speak, to feel safe.

“When I arrived in Belgium, I was full of doubts and insecurity. With all my problems, I barely spoke, I cried all the time. I never went out… SINGA’s activities helped me grow. They showed me I had a second chance in life.”

Meeting Anne-Claire was one of the key moments in that journey—helping her rebuild confidence, feel welcomed, and have a new future.

For Anne-Claire, this relationship has been a breath of fresh air. After a difficult period, Soda brought her new energy, a fresh perspective, and a quiet strength that continues to amaze her.

“She helped me put things in perspective, to bring meaning back into the everyday. Now, I talk about Soda all the time. Through her, I share a reality that many people don’t know: the reality of those who have newly arrived, and all that they have to offer.”

The Buddy Program: Inclusion Through Friendship

SINGA Brussels’ Buddy program is built on a simple idea: a duo can change a life. A local and a newcomer are paired to build a genuine connection, at their own pace. Over three months, each duo takes part in at least four activities. But often, like with Anne-Claire and Soda, the bond goes far beyond that.

The program is designed to be inclusive, welcoming, and easy to join—even for those who are shy or still learning French. It’s a way to explore the city, form real connections, and support each other.

Want to give it a try?

Becoming a Buddy is more than a commitment. It’s about building a real relationship based on trust, making space for someone else, and helping to shape a warmer, more open city.

In Brussels, over 1,000 matches have already been made through the program. And sometimes, like with Anne-Claire and Soda, just one meeting is enough to change how we see others—and ourselves.

👉 Join an info session or sign up now: link