volunteering

Impact Story: How Joanne re-built her life in Dundee after 14 years in Yemen

2 July 2018 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Having been uprooted from her home in Yemen, Joanne then found the strength and support at DIWC to continue with her career and is now teaching English to women from the Middle East. Read her story here…

Leaving my home and friends behind

The event that triggered my journey with DIWC happened at the end of January 2015, when I was evacuated from Yemen, the country where I had been living and working for over 14 years.

I had been an ESOL teacher in the capital, Sana’a, in the north of the country. I had a job I loved, a home I was very happy in, with a great landlord, and a very good and close circle of friends, both local and international.

Yemen is a very poor country and, although life was not the easiest, with daily (sometimes lengthy) power cuts and water shortages, I considered myself very fortunate and had not even considered what else I may do or where else I may go. This was home.

The political situation was becoming more difficult and dangerous by October/November of 2014. The institute I was working in had a branch in Aden, in the south of the country; because it was considered safer, I was transferred there temporarily.

I went there with the bare minimum of clothes and personal belongings. As it was thought the move would only be for a very short time, I kept my house in Sana’a. Over the next 2-3 months, however, the situation only got worse and resulted in the decision being made to evacuate me, and the other foreign teachers, at the end of January 2015.

Coming to the UK to find a safe place to live

As I did not have a home in Dundee of my own, I stayed with my mother. I was not too concerned at this point, as I came to Scotland with the assurance that the political situation would ‘blow over’. However, that was not to be.

As time went on. it became clear that returning to Yemen would not be an option. I began looking at my options: either find a job here or return overseas to work somewhere. At this point, I had to have local friends clear out my home and distribute my belongings to wherever there was a need.

I could not have anything shipped, as all the seaports and airports were closed (embargoed) and the roads were too dangerous for transportation. This was an extremely painful decision, as I would lose all my personal possessions, including family photographs. But, more than that, it was the fact I was closing the door. I had to accept that I was not going back.

Settling into life here and overcoming sad times

As I settled back into life in Dundee, I began to think about what I wanted to do. I started looking for work. The problem was that I had been out of the job market here in the UK for so long and my skills/training were out of date.

Even though I had years of experience, I was finding it very difficult to get any responses to applications. My self-esteem was at an all-time low. I had absolutely no confidence whatsoever and that showed in my applications, as well as my demeanour.

It got to September 2015 and I had been back in Dundee for about 8 months. I had continued to live with my mother, whose health was in decline. I had been out one day with a friend for some coffee when I came home – my mother looked awful.

She asked me to make her some soup. I did that, and she came to the kitchen to eat it. She ate very little and got up to go back through to the living room. She sat down in her chair. After a few seconds, I came through and sat down beside her. She slumped forward in her chair and she was gone.

I did not realise at the time how traumatised I was; I carried on with every-day life. I have two sisters and a brother. My mother’s house was her own and in accordance with her wishes, it was to be sold and the proceeds shared equally between us.

It took a few months for all her affairs to be settled but, in the end, the house sold within a week of being put on the market. I found myself looking for another place to live. This was not an easy task. I did not find a place until a week before the new owners’ entry date.

To sum up, within a few months I had lost two homes and my mother.

Turning to volunteering to help me through the tough times

It was at some point around this time that I thought about volunteering. I had heard of DIWC but did not know where they were based now. I searched the Internet and found their website. I applied online but did not hear anything.

One day a friend, Janie, suggested I go into the centre and talk to someone. I did and spoke to Vicky, a very lively, caring and enthusiastic Volunteer Co-ordinator. I completed an application and started volunteering there in November 2015.

I have helped in ESOL classes, as well as open days etc. Being around the women from so many nationalities and backgrounds has been a huge encouragement; hearing their stories and sharing their lives has been such an inspiration to me.

I came as a volunteer, but I have gained much more than I have given. I can truly say that I have found a second home and regained some of my confidence through the help and encouragement of the women and staff who come to the centre.

Finding employment with the help and support of the centre

As I live alone with no one else to depend on, a job was a priority for me. I really love volunteering at the centre, but it does not pay the bills! At the Centre, I was able to complete a GREAT course, which gave me help and advice in making job applications, and an eight-week job placement, which built up my confidence and updated some of my administration skills.

Two months ago, I found a job working with a group of women from the Middle East, teaching them English. It seems like it was tailor-made for me. As it is only for twenty hours a week, I would like to continue volunteering at the centre, doing what I can to support the work they do there.

The biggest lesson I have learned is not to take anything for granted. We cannot prepare for the completely unexpected events in life, but we are responsible for our reaction to them. Take each day as it comes and try to make something positive out of it.

Also try to see the best in people. We do not know what circumstances they are in that may be affecting their behaviour. I have also learned a great deal about how strong and resilient women can be as they help and encourage each other.

Meet the Volunteer: Lynne’s journey from learner to class tutor

24 May 2018 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Meet the Volunteer: Lynn’s journey from learner to class tutor

Having started out as a class attendee, Lynne made the decision to share her knowledge and time to become a volunteer at DIWC. This took her from learner to class tutor and she shares her story here.

How it all began

My story started 4 years ago, when I began attending DIWC’s cooking class as a learner. I started the class as a way to cheer myself up and do something a wee bit different. I was experiencing health issues and was feeling really sorry for myself, as my children were growing up fast and didn’t need me as much as when they were younger.

After about a year of attending the class, I was asked if I would like to become a volunteer in the Basic Arts & Crafts class, as I was a very crafty person with many art skills. I jumped at this opportunity!

This started my volunteering journey at DIWC, supporting the learners to take part in art activities in the class. I enjoyed this very much, as the group was very welcoming and friendly. And I was still able to attend my favourite cooking class, as well as volunteering.

How my role evolved into teaching

Over time, I found that, in the cooking class, I began acting as a mentor to new learners. I would take my time to chat with them and encourage them to participate in every session. The teacher noticed this, and offered me a new voluntary role, where I could assist her by supporting all the new learners. I was very pleased at this and it has really helped to increase my confidence and self-esteem.

The Basic Arts & Crafts class evolved from supporting the teacher to becoming the class tutor, where I planned and delivered the art sessions to the learners. I loved this role even more, as it used all my art skills and knowledge. I enjoy watching the learners creating art projects and seeing the pride that they felt once they had finished their project.

Teaching arts and crafts

As the Basic Arts & Crafts class was a success, I was asked if I could run a few blocks of crafts recycling sessions. I loved this idea and began volunteering another morning each week at DIWC, delivering Make Do & Mend sessions.

This was a great way for women to learn how to recycle old materials that they had at home. The class was a hit with learners and it now has a permanent place on DIWC’s timetable.

Fundraising so that others can participate in the classes too

Outwith the classes, I recently helped the Volunteer Coordinator to create DIWC’s fundraising group. We meet on a regular basis to plan new ways to raise funds, which will provide opportunities for more women to participate in DIWC classes and events.

As part of this group, I helped to establish the coffee shop as a way to raise money. I bake cakes and sell refreshments several times a week, alongside my other voluntary roles.

I feel that DIWC is an amazing place which is very uplifting and inspirational to all women who attend. It is a great pleasure to be part of. There are many ways you can get involved by donating your time and skills.

Impact Story: How Kristiana achieved her ambitions with the support of DIWC

10 May 2018 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Kristiana shares her story of how, with the support of DIWC, she was able to achieve her goals of improving her English and making a better life for herself and her son.

Feeling part of a community

Kristiana is from Varna in Bulgaria and came to Scotland to make a better life for her son. Back home, she worked as a Stock Control Worker at a shop.

She came to DIWC for several reasons – she wanted to learn new skills, meet new friends and feel part of a community. She also said that she would like to learn new skills and volunteer.

Pursuing dreams and making friends

In particular, she wanted to be in an English-speaking environment, to improve her communication skills. Fortunately, having our flexible childcare services at DIWC meant that she could bring her son with her and be confident he would be well looked after while she pursued her dreams.

After attending the centre for a few weeks, Kristiana quickly made new friends and felt a real sense of belonging. Kristiana was very determined and achieved her European Computer Driving Licence qualification in just 10 months (typically this could take 15-18 months).

DIWC staff were so impressed by how hard she worked, even coming in over the Summer holidays to study. When she got her certificate, she told Diaré: “It is done and I am so happy. I remember my first day in the centre one year ago, I didn’t speak, I was so scared. Thank you for being my teacher”.

Finding confidence through volunteering

At the same time, she looked for volunteering opportunities in Dundee. She worked on the front desk at DIWC but she wanted an even bigger challenge, so staff at the Centre referred her to the British Heart Foundation, where she was offered the post of Volunteer Merchandiser. Her motivation to give back to the community while developing her own skills, is such that she is now volunteering at Discovery Credit Union and holds a position as IT support at the Central Library.

Now, Kristiana is much more confident in herself and very happy that she is so busy. She feels more useful and helpful to her family and her Bulgarian community. She inspires others by explaining that believing in ourselves enables us to achieve our dreams.

Kristiana said recently that: “DIWC is still helping me. Since I have been coming to the centre, they have been supporting me, helping, advising and giving me new opportunities.” Her long-term goal is to maybe, one day, become a Project Worker at DIWC.

#WomenOfDundee: Finding a place of learning and support for women by Maqsoodan

8 May 2017 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Finding a place of learning and support for women when moving to Dundee was important to Maqsoodan. She wanted to show her daughters that women have an important place in society and should encourage each other to grow and develop.

Moving to Dundee

I was born in Pakistan. My family migrated to Glasgow when I was about 3 years old.

I grew up in Glasgow and stayed there until I got married, 30 years ago. I moved to Dundee because my husband was based here. I like living in Dundee and the Asian community here is very strong. There was also a big Asian community in Glasgow, a close-knit one, but we did not live as part of the community – we lived on the outskirts of the city.

My parents were married for over sixty years. I have three brothers and I am the only girl in the family. It was hard growing up with three boys, I would have liked a sister, but we were very close siblings, maybe less close now because they all live in Glasgow. We all have our own families, with our own children and responsibilities.

Freedom to choose

My parents never enforced religion on me and my siblings. They let us choose what we wanted in our life. They were religious and they had strong morals but they did not force that on us. I was always a Muslim by birth, but now I choose to be a Muslim. I didn’t always wear a hijab, I only started wearing it about ten years ago. We started the Qur’an class in my house, a group of us got together with a teacher to study the Qur’an word to word in Urdu.

I got married at the age of 27. Nowadays, girls are studying or working but in the Asian community, 27 was considered a late age to get married. I did not want to get married at an early age – I wanted to find the right person. Now I have 3 children, 2 daughters and a son.

When I left high school I did a diploma in teaching. I am the first in my family to go on to further education. I wanted to go to University and study Geography, but that would have required residential trips which I do not think my parents were keen on. Maybe I should have pushed harder but I was intimidated by four-year degree. Instead, I spent three years at college.

After graduation, I got a job as a full-time primary teacher at the age of 20 in Glasgow. None of my children have followed me into teaching but all 3 of them have been through higher education.

Finding a place of learning and support

I started coming to DIWC when it was on Lyon street. My oldest daughter was only 12 years old at the time. I wanted my girls to have a strong identity, I wanted them to feel empowered and have the opportunity to discover themselves. I wanted them to be interested in politics, current affairs and global issues in the wider world.

I found the girls group in DIWC was great. A lot of mums felt very comfortable with the centre and the staff. It was great having the Muslim community being involved in this group. Through that, I think my girls have progressed well in their lives. They have been involved in residential trips, hill walking, fundraising, art projects – to name but a few. Being involved in the girls group has given them confidence. Both my daughters said it helped them in university with presentations and public speaking. They both served on the board at DIWC before going on to other things.

A chance to give something back

I have been volunteering at the centre for the last 14 years. Volunteering has been very rewarding for me as I get a lot of satisfaction by giving back to the community.

I used to volunteer in the Bazorg group; the group for older women. I volunteered with this group because my mother became a member but she was not keen to stay at the group meetings on her own. It was a brilliant experience! They are such a laugh and I have great memories of my time there. Auntie Narinder, who sadly passed away recently is to this day one of my role models. My own mother passed away four years ago so I am now volunteering in another capacity with the beginners English class.

The future

I think in today’s world, full of conflict, women would rather solve problems by other means because we want a peaceful future for our children. Our children are our legacy and we need to empower each other for a great future for them. I think DIWC is unique that it allows us women to learn, support and encourage each other. People come here from all over the world and this organisation is willing to help anyone.

I hope the centre keeps going from strength to strength and is here for future generations. I believe that learning is a never-ending process and a day not spent learning is a wasted day. And what better way to learn than in an environment that is a melting pot of world cultures and beliefs.

Maqsoodan Arshid #womenofdundee

#WomenOfDundee: How volunteering at DIWC gave Susan a chance to regain her confidence

20 September 2016 by diwc-admin 1 Comment

Having fallen ill and unable to work, Susan began volunteering at DIWC which gave her a chance to regain her confidence and feel useful again. Read her story here:

Wanting to make a difference

I always knew growing up that I didn’t want to work in the corporate world. My father worked in crop research for the British government and in Nigeria and Jamaica. My brother and sister have also always worked in the public sector, so I guess a sense of wanting to do something which would make a difference to the community was instilled in me from a very young age. I also had a strong belief in the impact of women’s education and empowerment on society as a whole. I moved to Dundee in 1986 to study and after completing my degree I worked in higher education and charity retailing.

Illness forced me to look again at my options

Unfortunately I became ill with depression and anxiety in 2005 and couldn’t work for about 18 months. I was encouraged to do volunteering to get some structure back into my life and I was due to go to Cats Protection where I could hide away from people and just play with the cats, but my own cat died the day before I was supposed to start and I ended up at Dundee International Women’s Centre instead! Volunteering as a receptionist gave me the opportunity to regain confidence and feel that I was useful again. DIWC and the Community Mental Health Team were so helpful that I was able to get supported work at the Centre. When the post of Receptionist became vacant, I applied for it and that was the start of my long and varied career at DIWC.

Gaining confidence through volunteering and giving something back

Working at Dundee International Women’s Centre is so uplifting. During my time here I have worked in administration, training and supporting learners and now I evaluate the work that we do and the impact it has on the lives of women (and try to make sure that we have enough money to pay for it!). The people here are my friends and family. As a naturally inquisitive person, I love hearing about all different cultures, inspiring stories and the women’s journeys. I am always reminded of how lucky I have been to have the opportunities and freedom given to me.

I will always be grateful to DIWC, and hope to work here as long as I can make a valuable contribution. By the way – I share my house with another cat now, Merlin!

Susan A’ Brook #womenofdundee