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#WomenOfDundee: Creative working at DIWC

20 March 2017 by diwc-admin 1 Comment

#WomenOfDundee: How working at DIWC has given Laura the freedom to pursue her dream

Read how Laura took a part-time role at DIWC to allow her to continue to pursue her ambition to be an illustrator and about how the women she has met at the Centre have been an inspiration to her.

From the peace of a country setting to the bustle of a city

“I grew up in a farm cottage near Earlston, a village in the Scottish Borders. I loved it and as a child, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

When I went to stay with my Grandma and Grandpa in Edinburgh I found it hard to sleep with the orange glare of the street lights, so my Grandma got me tapes from the library to listen to; Hancock’s Half Hour and Roald Dahl stories.

I’m in my thirties now and I still listen to stories every night.

Finding my feet in the world

I went to Edinburgh College of Art when I was 18, to do a BA (Hons) in Visual Communication. I’ve always wanted to be an illustrator – someone who tells stories and draws pictures and I loved immersing myself in that environment.

When I graduated, however, I realised quickly how ill-prepared I was for the ‘real world’, I wasn’t qualified for anything and competition for freelance work was fierce. I had a list of jobs I would like to do, in order of preference – at the bottom of that list was written ‘anything but retail’. I ended up working in retail for six years!

Finding a job that inspired me

I joined DIWC as a receptionist in 2014. I had just completed an MA in Illustration and was looking for a part-time job I could do alongside my freelance practice. But the Centre has given me so much more than I could ever have anticipated. I have met so many wonderful, passionate, funny, intelligent women and am constantly inspired.

Having worked in places where everything is target-driven and people aren’t valued, it’s fantastic to be part of an organisation that truly values every individual’s skills and personality – it makes me want to do more.

Opportunities and achievements

In 2016, I submitted a design to the Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail and worked with the Art Class and other learners to decorate the sculpture. Our design raised £8,000 for The Archie Foundation and is on permanent display in Dundee House.

I hope to continue working at DIWC whilst developing my practice as a freelance illustrator/artist-educator. I have a solo exhibition planned for Summer 2018 at Verdant Works, which will feature illustrations inspired by women I have met here.”

#lauradarling #womenofdundee

You can visit DIWC’s Oor Wullie Women of the World, which is on permanent display in Dundee House.

If you would like to see Laura’s illustration work visit: www.darlingbyname.com

#WomenOfDundee: How coming to DIWC helped Javeria settle into life in Dundee

20 March 2017 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Javeria moved to Dundee over 15 years ago and after a shaky first year she started coming to DIWC to attend classes. This helped her settle in Dundee and make a life for her and her family. Read her story here:

My Story

My name is Javeria and I am from Pakistan. I went to school there and studied in college for two years – all the usual subjects Maths, English, PE, Islamic Studies, Urdu. All my family still live in Pakistan, I have six brothers and sisters.

My husband is originally from Uganda, but he lived in the UK. I met him when he was visiting Pakistan and we got married quite quickly. 10 days after my wedding, I came here to Dundee.

Finding my way in a new city

I was very shy when I first got here! I stayed in the house for the first year as I was not confident enough to learn English or go out by myself. The first time I ever tried to go in town by myself I got lost in on the bus!

I had gotten on at the wrong stop and it was going the wrong way. I was so upset, I was crying on the bus and I didn’t have a phone or anything. I had been trying to get to town and I ended up at the back of Whitfield. Thankfully, the bus driver saw my crying and he helped me get back into town. After that, I was determined I was staying in for good.

How coming to DIWC helped me settle

I came to DIWC about 15 years ago as a learner. I went to classes and I started a childcare course. When the centre was looking for volunteers and staff I decided to volunteer myself and after two/three months I got a job.

I only visit Pakistan now every two to three years. I think if I had the choice to live in Dundee or Pakistan I would choose here.

I do miss Pakistan though because my family is over there, but I have adjusted and my own family is here. My kids are comfortable and confident here and they love our trips, but only for a holiday.

I do wonder if coming to Dundee now would be scarier than it was when I first came. I remember being scared that people would make fun of me then, but no one did – but now I feel, sometimes, people are staring at me, like an outsider. I worry the culture is changing for the worse.

DIWC is completely different though. I always have and always will feel totally at home here – it has changed my life. My experiences here made me confident to go out, speak, make friends. When people ask how I learned to speak English so well – I tell them about the centre!

I am looking forward to continuing to grow within DIWC and as part of the crèche.

Javeria #womenofdundee

International Women’s Week: English for Life class arrange an exhibition – ‘Her Story and Heritage’

20 March 2017 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

The English For Life class worked on a 7-week project to create an interactive display on this year’s International Women’s Week topic: ‘Her Story and Heritage’.

Six women altogether worked on this project and the following countries were represented: Romania, Malawi (Memon culture), South Korea, Venezuela, Bulgaria and Mexico.

The group prepared the exhibition for 6 weeks.

Activities in class included:

Discussion about the meaning of the word ‘heritage’: something passed down from generation to generation, what makes your family and your country unique.

The different types of heritage: personal and country. The group also brainstormed of the various categories within one’s personal heritage: we inherit names, appearance, character, stories, languages, land/house, passions, hobbies, jobs, traditions, recipes, values, songs/tunes, objects (old letters, photos, clothes, jewels, books, etc.).

#WomenOfDundee: How joining the DIWC gave Dalia the opportunity to have a career in childcare

21 February 2017 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

This is Dalia’s story about how she moved from Iraq to Dundee, found support and friendship in the DIWC and opportunities which resulted in a career in childcare.

Studying to become an engineer

“I was born and brought up in Mosul, Iraq. I spent most of my life there, was educated and worked there.

When I was young I dreamed of becoming a doctor. When I got high scores in my final year of school, I joined the Engineering College and finished my degree in mechanical engineering in 2000.

Iraq is a lovely country, a beautiful place. It has a highly educated, hard-working society and good healthcare system. My University was coeducational. There were lots of girls in my class, and boys and girls study together, do labs together and graduate at the same time.

Getting married and moving to the UK

I got married when I was 23 years old, I met my husband in my city at a family gathering. He then asked for my hand from my parents. In 2009, I came to the UK, straight to Dundee, with my family. We moved here because my husband got a scholarship for his PhD Degree.

The UK is a different world, the people are really welcoming and from lots of different cultures. I was initially worried about how I would engage with the locals. The first year I found it really difficult to meet people, but the centre made it really easy for me.

Joining the DIWC and finding my feet

I didn’t know anyone in Dundee until my children started nursery and I met some people there. They told me about the Dundee International Women’s Centre where I could improve my English and join the NPA class. Since 2012, I have been working as a childcare support worker in the crèche and I had the opportunity to finish my SVQ 3 through the centre and I am now a childcare practitioner.

I enjoy working in the crèche and being part of DIWC. I miss home a lot, but through DIWC I have met lots of people, lots of friends and they have become like my family as well. The centre has given me support and confidence. You can speak to the staff or members when you are going through hard times.

I found all the love and support I need in the centre.

Looking to the future

I didn’t practice engineering because I am responsible for my three boys and my family. Also, I feel it would be too difficult to retrain in the UK while my children are still young. I decided to do something with children because I am a Mum I know lots of things about children and I like being with the children.

I miss engineering, maybe if I have more time or another opportunity to study Engineering over here I will. I miss my country too and all the people there. I would move back if it was safe, like before, but since the war began in 2003, it’s not safe anymore for my family.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to working towards my goals in my new career. I would like to find a full-time job working with children. I am also looking forward to giving my children everything they need, watching them grow and seeing what they will become in the future.”

Dalia #womenofdundee

#WomenOfDundee: How the DIWC helped me to make friends and get involved in the community

2 February 2017 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

This is S.K.’s story. Having moved to Dundee in the early 70s and unable to speak English, she settled into family life and not until later, as her children grew up, did she join the DIWC where she had the opportunity to make friends and get involved in the community.

Speaking English was a new experience for me

“I moved to Dundee in 1972, about 13 years after my marriage. I was somewhere around 17-19 years old when I got married – in those days no one really kept track of age. After my marriage, I lived with my Aunty and 2 children in India.

My husband came to the UK for work and after 4 years working there, he was then allowed to bring his family with him.

I couldn’t speak English when I came to Dundee. In India during that time, many girls were not in Education and I only studied until a certain age. My parents thought we just needed to know how to write letters as it wasn’t expected in those days that we would have to work.

When I moved to the UK, I did not make much effort to learn English. I didn’t need to work and spent most of my time at home so I did not feel the need to know how to speak English. However, over the years I realised that I wanted to go out of the house and speak to other people. I have since picked up many words by interacting with others. Even though I don’t speak the language fluently I can still understand when someone chats with me.

Missing India, but making a life for my family here in Dundee

There are many things that I miss about India. I miss my family there, but I guess many people would feel the same way? To me, home is where my children are and I have been blessed with a very happy life with my children. They are well settled here so I am happy to be here. After all, what would I do in India on my own?

I do go back to India often to visit my relatives. Sometimes I even go back twice a year so I don’t feel like I have much of an opportunity to miss them. There are many others who don’t get the chance to go back home and I can only imagine how hard it must be for them.

I have been coming to DIWC for around 5 years now. I like coming to the Bazorg group. I get the chance to meet everyone and have a good chat. It’s a nice atmosphere to be here and we are all happy. I enjoy being involved in the variety of activities provided for us from exercising to massaging and many more. It is a lot of fun”

S.K. #womenofdundee

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