Building bridges between cultures : the essence of the Buddies Month

Since 2017, SINGA Brussels has been running the Buddy program, an initiative that connects locals and newcomers by forming one-on-one pairs. These duos commit to meeting regularly to share moments together—whether it’s grabbing a coffee, exploring the city, exchanging cultural insights, or simply having a chat.

🎯 The goal? To offer a human and enriching integration experience in a city where cultural differences are a strength.

To highlight this program, Buddies Month was designed as a key moment, blending celebration and engagement. Two major events brought together past and new buddies in an atmosphere of connection and discovery.

Bazar Buddy Night : games to bring people closer

The festivities kicked off with a fun and friendly evening : Bazar Buddy. More than 60 participants gathered to take on challenges in pairs through a series of diverse games :
🎲 Kems, riddles, and blind drawing contests,
🏓 Ping-pong, water pong, and Jenga,
🎭 Mime challenges.

In a competitive yet supportive atmosphere, the pairs showed creativity and teamwork to claim victory. The result? Countless laughs and unforgettable memories !

A treasure hunt through Brussels : explore and connect

A few days later, the buddies embarked on an adventure through the heart of Brussels. This interactive scavenger hunt, designed by Jade and Valentine (Buddy program coordinator and member), guided participants through ten iconic spots in the city. Each stop featured creative challenges and moments of relaxation:
🧇 A tasty break with waffles,
📸 A souvenir photo in a vintage photo booth,
🎡 A ride on the Ferris wheel at Poelaert Square, offering a spectacular view of Brussels.

This activity strengthened connections while allowing participants to discover a different side of the city.

Highlighting the impact of the Buddy Program

Beyond the events, a digital and media campaign helped showcase the program. Among the initiatives, an inspiring video featured Anne and Ismail, two buddies sharing their experiences and memorable moments. Additionally, an information session answered questions from interested participants, encouraging them to join the community.

Tangible results and a growing community

The actions carried out during Buddies Month had a direct impact :
📈 25 new locals joined the Buddy program in October, tripling the usual number of registrations (an average of 10 per month). Many first meetings are already scheduled, promising even more exchanges and solidarity in the coming weeks.

A month that inspires the future

Buddies Month 2024 highlighted the power of intercultural connections and the importance of building bridges between communities. In a world where differences are sometimes seen as barriers, SINGA Brussels proves that they are, in fact, opportunities to broaden our perspectives and strengthen our bonds. ❤️

What’s next?

Want to experience something truly unique? Join the Buddy program and become part of a community that is changing lives : [https://www.singa-belgium.org/].