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6 things to do with the kids this summer in Dundee

9 March 2016 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

If you’re stuck for things to do with the kids this summer in Dundee, then look no further… here are six things you can get out and do:

1.Dundee Treasure Trail

Explore Dundee with your children on a self-guided treasure trail. This will have you discover long-lost treasures in the city of Dundee. Following a clear set of directions will take you on a 1.5-mile circular route walk to the best sites, searching for an answer to tricky clues which can be found on existing buildings, statues, and anything else. This will encourage your children to look, learn and solve exciting mysteries.

2. Sensation

Sensation offers children an exciting day of ‘edutainment’ through interactive displays and exhibits. This is a new and fun learning program targeted towards children age 3 to 5. There will be great music, entertainment, and new ideas that will have them develop their imagination. Every week the science Centre develops new ideas and adventures, from digging fossils, climbing mountains, to swimming with dolphins. Different activities are arranged for different age groups. To learn more click here.

3. Visit Tenstmuir Forest

Tentsmuir Forest is located northeast of Fife, Scotland. With over 50 square miles, the forest is owned and run by Scottish National Heritage. You will find lots do in this forest with your children. Cycle along the kingdom of Fife to get the best view of the forest and beach. Look for seals along the sandbars and explore the reserve and forest for evidence of world war II among some of the exciting things to do here.

4. Holiday PlayScheme

Rise & Shine mobile creche runs an annual summer play scheme. This is a structured and pre-planned 3-hour fun session during the holidays. The program runs every Tuesday and Thursday 1-3pm 7^th to 23^rd July 2015. Outdoor play and many other activities are designed to keep your children entertained and excited during the summer holidays. To find out more call us on 01382 462058 or Email: mail@diwc.co.uk.

5. Verdant Works

This is a 5-star award winning attraction. Its multimedia technology allows you and your kids to touch the lives of the Mills worker. Interactive exhibits show how jute fibre was grown and how it is woven. It is an exciting and unique experience your children will always remember. Click here for more information.

6. Discovery Point

A day in discovery point is an adventure on it own. There are a number of things that can keep you and your children entertained. From art exhibitions to Audiovisual displays, computer multimedia, and digital scans. Climb aboard on one of the most heroic voyages and discover the lives of the sailors and how they survived in Antarctica. There are tons of things and activities organised for you and your children at Discovery point. To learn more click here.

6 things I’ve learned in my first month in Scotland

9 March 2016 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

I can’t believe it that it has been a month since I stepped off that plane in Dundee.

Having watched Braveheart, Highlander and Harry Potter, I had some form of expectation of what Scotland would look like. However, Scotland has gone beyond my imagination. The beautiful and inspiring landscapes with a fascinating history have had me mesmerised.

It is almost impossible to describe my feelings and emotions so far on this journey. After much contemplation on my big step of moving abroad, I will try to describe my adventure using the least number of words.

Looking back on my first month in Scotland, I can sum it up in one sentence as “wow, this place is beautiful.”

1. Road trips are fun

Forget about reaching your destination, driving in Scotland is all about getting lost in their scenic routes. Scotland has some of the most scenic roads in the world. My husband and I planned a day trip to House of Bruar but decided to not use any GPS to get to our location.

We got off the beaten track, explored sights along the way, met people in the village shops and cafes and experienced the local culture.

We did not reach House of Bruar as map reading was not our strongest forte, but following the road signs and taking exits that looked good to us led us to Stirling Castle instead. We spent the day at the castle and headed back to Dundee that evening feeling adventurous.

2. The Scottish are the friendliest people!

I have heard the saying that the Scottish people are the friendliest people. Over the years of living in several different countries and travelling I have met some really friendly Scottish people, I was amazed by how nice they were. I thought it was just a lucky coincidence, however, from my first day of arriving in Dundee, I was astonished by the kindness of the locals. From the shopkeepers to the bartenders to the people on the street, I was always greeted with a smile. A lot of the people I met are extremely polite and helpful. They are eager to know why I chose to live in their town.

3. Food is great

Scotland is famous for its haggis, neeps and tatties, shortbread and Iron Bru. However, there is a lot more on the Scottish menu than that. On a scenic drive to Dunnottar Castle, my husband and I took a detour and drove down to Arbroath in search of the famous Puffins. We came across a traditional Scottish restaurant, But’ and Ben known for its seafood dishes. Haddock stuffed with prawns, baked in creamy cheese sauce is a reason we would drive back to Arbroath.

Even your morning regular cornflakes taste better with a great view!

4. No matter where you are in Scotland, a great view is just around the corner

No matter where you are in Scotland, you are just minutes away from a place that will blow your mind away.

This is probably my favorite thing about Scotland. Its beautiful landscape, deep green rippling hills and immense lochs; you will not find any place more tranquil than the Scottish highlands.

5. Close to nature

Coming from a fast-paced life that typifies living in modern Malaysia, I have lost all connection with nature. What a revelation it is to live in a country populated by forests and green hills, where people have preserved a deep and intrinsic connection to their natural surroundings. I was stricken by the number of trees I see in Scotland. Even the most urban-dwelling Scottish has a small garden where they grow their own plants and vegetables.

Besides the extensive forests, the diverse wildlife found in Scotland is truly breathtaking. Driving along the scenic routes, we could see highland cows, horses, sheep, and many more. I will always remember how the locals respect their natural surroundings.

6. Accent

A real Scottish accent is fun to hear. I just love it! The sloshing words sound grand. When I first arrived I could not understand a wee word from my cab driver to being called “love” and “hen”. Also, don’t be fooled to pronounce what you read as it is, most places in Scotland are not said the way they are spelt! Try pronouncing Vormit, if you are lucky you will get it right the first time. Nevertheless, I love the accent here.

written by : Parven Kaur, Volunteer @ DIWC

#WomenOfDundee: How Amina got to fulfil her lifelong dream to read and write

2 March 2016 by diwc-admin

After many years as a full-time Mum, Amina Zaveri finally has time to do something for herself, fulfilling her lifelong dream to be able to read and write. Dundee International Women’s Centre made her dreams come true.

Amina and her husband migrated to London in 1986 from Malawi. Like many newly arrived migrants, Amina’s family worked very hard to survive. Amina worked as a factory worker for 5 years to support her family.

The early years in London were not easy as Amina struggled with the language and culture. She was desperate to learn English. As a child Amina never got access to education: “I never had the chance to go to school,” says Amina.

While in London, she took a short course in English but never got the opportunity to complete it. She learned a few words that helped her get by. At the same time, she learned how to sign her name for the first time. After spending 7 years in London, Amina and her family moved to Dundee. She was then a full-time mum taking care of her four children. Having less interaction with the outside world, Amina lost her self-confidence and self-esteem: “I used to be so afraid to go out and meet people, I became very sick,” she explains.

Realizing her problems, Amina’s children encouraged her to go out and do something for herself. Her daughter brought her to the centre so she could interact and spend time with other women.

The centre gave Amina a new meaning to life and hope. She attended English conversation classes and can now read and write. “I sometimes struggle with spelling, but my children and friends understand me well when I speak and send messages in English,” says Amina.

Amina gained her self-confidence and is now the soul of the centre. Her presence brightens the mood and she is well liked by everyone. “I love coming to the centre because I can learn so much and meet so many other people,” she says.

She also knows how to operate the computer and is brushing up on her Microsoft Office skills. “I always wondered what do people do on the computer and how that machine works but now I understand it.”

She is now confident to drive a car by herself and is not afraid anymore of leaving her house and going places. Amina admits that the centre helped her to overcome a lot of difficulties in her life mainly recovering from depression. She has reduced her medications and claims that the centre is the best cure for her.

As with many of the women who come to Dundee International Women’s Centre, Amina had a great will to learn, but did not know where to start – we were happy to help.

Amina is a great example of how a persistent woman with determination is able to achieve whatever she wants and be successful with the right support and guidance regardless of her age.

At the age of 63, Amina is getting closer to fulfilling her dreams to be a teacher:“My advice to all women of my age is to work and don’t stay at home. We all need to be independent even at this age. I dream to be a teacher and share my knowledge with other women. Now I am so happy I can do something for myself” says Amina.

Her message to other women is that if they want to achieve something in their lives they need to believe in themselves and start doing it. “If I can do this- anyone can do this,” she says.

Below you can find what Amina has written about her experience with her IT class and other classes in the centre she attended:

Q. How do you think you will use what you have learnt in the IT class, out with the Centre?

A. I have learnt how to send Emails. It is easier to communicate with Friends and family. I improved my spelling and typing skills so I can Write letters. I make my letters look nice to do colours and Italics and enjoying lots. I feel better, I am enjoying so much. It was my Dream to learn Computing skills, my teacher Vicky give a full support and she help me – so now I am doing many things in my on. I am so happy by myself now I have full confidence to do further classes. A good luck for me now, I am so proud. By myself only I had spellings problem so I am learning. I am still Coming in Monday class and Tuesday morning English class. And I rarely ingoing myself and all volunteers are so nice and all staff are so friendly and my teachers Anna and Sue both are helpful, I hope I will improve my spelling.