Dar al Amal: daring to go further
3 August 2026
At first, going further can feel difficult.
Taking a new route, using a form of transport you do not know, entering a place you have never visited or discovering an unfamiliar environment can sometimes require courage.
For some women at Dar al Amal, moving around independently, exploring new places or taking part in activities beyond their daily surroundings was not always easy. A lack of familiarity, language barriers or simply the habit of staying within a known environment can limit opportunities for discovery.
But at Dar al Amal, every outing becomes a new step.
A first metro journey. A first bike ride. A first cultural experience. A first discovery of nature.
Little by little, what once seemed difficult becomes possible. Women learn to move around differently, discover their surroundings and increasingly take their place in the spaces around them.
Cycling: moving towards greater freedom
For the women at Dar al Amal, learning to cycle represents much more than a sporting activity.
It is a discovery of their own abilities.
Some participants get on a bicycle for the first time as adults. The first attempts can feel uncertain, but with every achievement, their confidence grows. Together, they learn, encourage one another and share the pride of reaching new milestones.
This year, the cycling project continued to strengthen this independence through beginner classes, outings for more experienced cyclists and repair workshops organised with partners such as Molembike and the workshops of Rue Voot.
Thanks to the support of Vélo Solidaire, ten women also received their own bicycle. Among them, Layla, originally from Afghanistan, was a great source of inspiration for the group: she learned not only how to ride, but also how to repair her bicycle before officially receiving it during the end-of-year celebration.
A total of 14 cycling certificates were awarded this year. Behind these numbers are, above all, women who discovered that they could go further than they had imagined.
Discovering new horizons, step by step
Independence is also built through everyday journeys.
Taking the train, metro, Waterbus or public transport may seem simple to some, but for women who lack confidence or familiarity with their surroundings, it can represent an important step forward.
Through the outings organised by Dar al Amal, participants learn how to plan routes, travel to new places and discover destinations they may never have visited on their own.
From Brussels to the surrounding areas, they explore different places: Ferme Nos Pilifs, the Royal Greenhouses, the Three Fountains estate, Parckfarm and the many green spaces in and around Brussels.
Nature also plays an important role in this journey. For some women, discovering the Sonian Forest or other natural areas close to Brussels is a true revelation.
As Myriam, a volunteer at Dar al Amal, explains:
“I have lived in Brussels for so many years and I did not know there was such a huge forest only 25 minutes away by metro!”
These moments are more than leisure activities. They help women discover their surroundings differently and strengthen their sense of belonging.
Daring to open the doors to culture
Going further also means daring to enter places that may sometimes feel far removed from everyday life.
Throughout the year, women from Dar al Amal discovered museums, exhibitions, performances and cultural spaces across Belgium. For some, it was their first experience of this kind.
From the Museum of Natural Sciences to the MigrationMuseumMigration, from Bozar to La Monnaie, each visit opened the door to new worlds.
Through La Monnaie’s “A Bridge Between Two Worlds” programme, some participants were able to attend opera rehearsals. A place that once seemed inaccessible became a space for discovery, emotion and curiosity.
These experiences show that culture is not reserved for a particular audience. The women of Dar al Amal have every right to be part of these spaces too.
Every step opens a new door
Over the months, the boundaries of everyday life become smaller.
What once seemed difficult becomes possible. What once felt distant becomes accessible.
A woman who learns to cycle gains greater freedom. A woman who dares to use public transport independently discovers more autonomy. A woman entering a museum for the first time or discovering a new place realises that these spaces belong to her too.
At Dar al Amal, every journey tells a story of renewed confidence. Every outing, every discovery and every new route are small steps towards a world that gradually becomes more accessible.
After building confidence together and learning to go further, some women become a source of support and inspiration for others. This collective strength and solidarity will be at the heart of the next article in this series.
