Zohra’s Story

In 2008, Zohra, a 40 year-old mother of two and project leader of one of Be InterACTive's running groups located in Osdorp, Amsterdam, realized that a little persuasion was needed on her behalf to get women in her neighbourhood to take part in her running project. Most of the women, the majority belonging to the Moroccan Dutch community, previously had little involvement in organized community activities outside their homes and had concerns about the purpose of the project, as well as their safety. 

Zohra knew that in order for women to agree to join the running project, they and their families had to feel comfortable and secure with the idea.  She decided to go door to door, from one house to another, to inform them and their families about the running project. She assured the women, along with concerned family members that the project, carried out on a volunteer basis, aimed to improve the physical, mental and overall well-being of all participants, which in turn would not only greatly benefit them, but their families and communities as well.
 
After successfully gaining their trust, as well as new participants, Zohra once again went door to door to pick up the women, drive them to her home, the running group's weekly meeting point, and drop them back off at home after practice. Zohra persistently followed this routine for a few weeks until participants felt more at ease and thus started to commute on their own or with other women to practice and back home.

The women who participate in the running project at Osdorp find the environment in Zohra's house supportive and feel at ease talking about life issues and exchanging health tips over cups of tea, before heading out to run. While running they do so in groups and stick to paths, which they find most secure. Zohra says the women are happy to have a social outlet outside their home, that they now feel better about both themselves and their health. They are even encouraging others to join the running project. Such new and positive developments, Zohra says, have made her efforts all the more worthwhile.