On friendship, community, and the quiet power of bringing women together
Some people network. Others build community. Saaiqa (33) does the latter—with intention, warmth, and an instinctive understanding of how meaningful friendships are formed.
A communications professional based in Rotterdam and originally from Tanzania, Saaiqa has become a familiar connective presence among expat women navigating life in the Netherlands. Her story is not one of chance encounters, but of relationships nurtured over time—through shared experiences, overlapping circles, and an openness that invites others in.
Finding After5 — and Finding Her People
Saaiqa’s journey with After5 began with a simple desire: to meet women who felt aligned with where she was in life.
“I had been looking to meet more expat women at a similar stage in life as me, living in the Netherlands.”
When she discovered After5 in the spring, it felt less like joining a platform and more like stepping into a space that already made sense. “After5 was a happy discovery,” she says—one that quickly transformed from curiosity into community.
When One Friendship Leads to Another
What makes Saaiqa’s friendship story stand out is its ripple effect. Connections don’t stop with a single meeting; they multiply, intertwine, and evolve.
“This week I’m going to do yoga and brunch with not one, but two friends from After5.”
Both friendships began as Alike dates. The twist? Those two women met each other independently at a Table, before the connections folded back together again.
“They were both my Alike dates and had met each other at a Table in between.”
It’s a subtle but powerful example of how community works best—when it grows sideways. In Saaiqa’s world, friendships aren’t linear. They’re layered.
More Than Social — Connection With Intention
For Saaiqa, community isn’t just social; it’s purposeful. Her role as a connection curator within After5 reflects what she already practices daily: bringing people together around shared values, experiences, and curiosity.
Looking ahead, her vision is expansive.
“In 2026, I’m looking to continue building community in Rotterdam.”
Whether through conversations about womanhood, the expat experience, creative outlets, live music, or food, her focus remains the same: people.
“As an international in this incredible city, my positive experience is mainly thanks to the people I’ve been so lucky to meet and connect with whilst here.”
That gratitude is what drives her forward—bridging the personal and the professional.
“Through building community with purpose, I hope to bring creativity and people-focused experiences into my professional life, too.”
What It’s Like to Spend Time With Saaiqa
Spending time with Saaiqa feels easy, intentional, and quietly uplifting. She creates spaces where people feel comfortable showing up as they are—no performance required.
Time with her often unfolds around a café table, shared playlists humming softly in the background, conversations stretching longer than planned. Friends introduce friends, strangers become familiar, and no one feels left out of the circle.
She’s attentive without being overbearing, social without being overwhelming. By the end of the day, you’ll feel grounded, energised, and—most likely—already connected to someone new.
A Natural Connection Curator
When asked why she wanted to step into a more formal role within After5, Saaiqa’s answer is immediate and instinctive.
“After5 offers connection and community to women, and I can’t think of any reason why I wouldn’t want to be a part of something like this.”
Naturally extroverted and proudly a Rotterdammert, she sees connection as something to be shared generously.
“I can’t wait to share more of these positive experiences with other women looking to find fun and fulfilling friendships here.”
In a city defined by movement and change, Saaiqa represents something steady: the reminder that belonging is built—carefully, creatively, and always with room for one more.