Dundee International Women’s Centre

Then and Now: Powerful success stories from learners at DIWC

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Then and Now: 3 powerful success stories from learners at DIWC

What do these two women have in common? They came along to DIWC and found classes where they could improve on their English, which then opened up job opportunities for each of them and helped to improve on their wellbeing. They share their stories here. 

Ahu’s Story

“If I can get through this course despite health problems and studying with young children… anyone can.”

Then: When Ahu came to Dundee from Turkey, she knew barely a word of English. She had health problems and was caring for a young child while her husband worked. She was isolated and lacked confidence and self-esteem.

She joined DIWC’s cooking class where she developed a talent for demonstrating her own recipes. Meeting like-minded women gave her the confidence to try new things and she started English classes.

Now: With each success, Ahu has become more motivated to try new things. She studied at DIWC for her Driving Theory test and has since passed her driving test. She studies hard, whilst caring for two children, and is one of the first women at DIWC to pass all seven modules of ECDL.

By working hard and embracing all that DIWC offers, Ahu has managed to improve her social life, mental well-being, education and job prospects. She is truly inspirational.

Then and Now: 3 powerful success stories from learners at DIWC

Mariam’s Story

“I love coming here. I am learning skills to help me get a job I love.”

Then: Mariam moved to the UK from Mali with her husband. She spoke no English and he brought her to DIWC to learn. Mariam joined English classes and social groups and felt happy to be part of a community, meeting people from all around the world.

As her English improved, her confidence grew and she got a job working in a care home. Mariam continued to attend the centre, and she had two children whom she brought to Rise and Shine crèche.

In-between: Mariam completed an employability course in customer service at DIWC and did a placement on DIWC’s reception. Keen to gain more experience, she continued to volunteer in this role whilst expecting her third child and studying for her Driving Theory test.

Just three months after the birth of her third child, Mariam has returned to DIWC to continue to study the ECDL course.

Now: Mariam has passed her Driving Test and drives confidently every day. She has passed the ECDL course and with this experience and qualification, she has been working at DIWC for over two years as a receptionist.

Then and Now: How these amazing women have transformed their lives at DIWC

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Then and Now: How 4 amazing women have transformed their lives at DIWC

Read how attending classes at DIWC gave these amazing women a chance to completely transform their lives and achieve goals they had never thought possible. 

Amina Zaveri 

“My advice to all women of my age is… don’t stay at home. We all need to be independent… I dream to be a teacher and share my knowledge with other women. Now I am so happy I can do something for myself.”

Then: Amina migrated from Malawi to London with her family in the mid-1980s. She never had the chance to go to school and struggled to cope with the language and culture in Britain. For five years she worked in a factory.

In 1993, the family moved to Dundee. As a full-time mum to four children, Amina became isolated and lost confidence and self-esteem. Her children encouraged her to do something for herself and brought her to DIWC.

Now: Meeting other women gave Amina hope and a new meaning to life. She can now read and write, drive a car, and can use a computer. Now 63, she continues to push herself to try new things.

Amina says the centre has helped her to overcome many difficulties, including depression, and become independent. Her persistence and determination are an example to women of all ages.

Diaré Drammeh 

“Receiving my Masters of Education in Community learning and development at University of Glasgow was one of my biggest achievements, if I can do it with 5 children then it is possible for other women to do it, it doesn’t matter what life throws at you as a woman, you’ve got to think about yourself and your children.”

“Keep going no matter what obstacle you face. Volunteering at DIWC in 2009 has opened several doors and helped me in so many ways and I will never forget that.”

Then: Diaré was born in France and now lives in Scotland. She joined DIWC as a volunteer whilst studying for a postgraduate diploma in Community Learning and Development. Diaré loved being surrounded by inspirational women from around the world, and always looked forward to the annual Volunteer Lunch.

Now: In 2015, Diaré began working at DIWC as a Project Worker. She runs the Bazorg Group for over 50s and also teaches English classes and ECDL. Throughout her university studies, Diaré has raised FIVE children! She is dedicated to helping women achieve their goals and is a fantastic role model for women who want to progress their education and maintain a balanced family life.

 

Impact Story: How Balgeis created a better life for her daughters

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Impact Story - How Balgeis Created A Better Life For Her Daughters

Starting again in a foreign country that speaks an unfamiliar language is tough. Doing so as the mother of five young girls is even tougher. That’s the challenge Balgeis faced. Her husband, Salim, was starting a PHd. at the University of Dundee which meant uprooting the family from their home in Benghazi, Libya.

Fear of the unknown

Balgeis was excited, but understandably apprehensive. A classic case of fear of the unknown. She’d experienced Europe while visiting with her father on business trips, but she’d never been to Scotland. For Balgeis, this was an opportunity to give her daughters the best possible start in life – an opportunity to have an education that will set them up for the future.

Balgeis heard about Dundee International Women’s Centre (DIWC) through a friend of her husband’s.

I was told that DIWC was very good and that I’d get the chance to learn and meet new people at the centre. It was more than I expected. I felt very welcome.

Determination to learn

Speaking to Balgeis today, it’s hard to imagine that seven years ago, she spoke no English. She grew up in Libya at a time when relations between the West and her homeland were at an all-time low. All reference to the West was cut out of the Libyan school curriculum, including learning English. English books were burned as the US and the UK tightened sanctions as a result of the Lockerbie tragedy.

The politics and conflict cost a complete generation the opportunity to develop their English speaking skills. Taking the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course was the crucial first step on her journey. It was hard, but she was a determined student.

With her new found English skills, Balgeis embraced the opportunities. She enrolled in a number of different classes. She got creative with art, got practical skills in sewing class and she learned new cooking and baking skills.

Although, it’s fair to say that, when it comes to culinary skills, Balgeis is as much a teacher as she is a student. She’s shared with the women of DIWC the wonders of traditional Libyan and north African cooking.

Motivation to help people

It’s a sign of Balgeis’s character that she wasn’t satisfied with her English skills. She wanted to take them to the next level. Taking the English for Life class gave Balgeis the opportunity to improve her English skills by building on her ESOL qualification.

It also gave her the opportunity to help more people, which is such a core part of what motivates her. She demonstrated this, when after two years as a user of the Centre, she asked if she could become a volunteer at DIWC.

As a volunteer Balgeis has helped women, just like her, find their feet in Dundee. Women, who, due to circumstances beyond their control, have found themselves alone and isolated in a country whose language they can’t understand, let alone speak. She helps these women settle in the city by sharing advice based on her own experiences.

Her English speaking skills have developed so well that she now acts as translator for many Arabic speaking women. And it’s not just translating from English to Arabic, by virtue of her Syrian mother, she’s ideally placed to help translate from Syrian Arabic to other variants of Arabic. She’s used this to help a number of Syrian refugees access the services they need to settle in the area.

That might mean helping them understand letters from the council, schools, utility companies or doctors. It can even be helping them understand and select the right mobile phone tariff – something that’s challenging enough for people that speak English.

A pillar of the community

She’s become a prominent figure in the Arab community, and that extends beyond Dundee. Each Saturday morning she travels to Edinburgh as a volunteer to teach English and maths to children and young adults.

All the while, she encourages them to retain their Arabic speaking skills. Balgies is passionate about this point. For her, learning English and embracing the culture of the country you live in is important, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of their own heritage.

For the young especially, having both English and Arabic language skills gives them something that Balgeis and many of her generation didn’t have – choice. If they want to return to the country of their birth, they need to have command of Arabic.

Inspiring confidence in women

Balgeis is an inspirational woman with a warm and welcoming personality. She’s given so much to the Arab community since arriving here for the very first time. Balgeis’s focus now and for the future is to simply help more people in any way she can. She thrives on it. It’s her mission. And, we’re delighted that she remains committed to DIWC. She adds so much to what we at the centre.

We asked Balgeis what her experience at DIWC has given to her. She paused and thought about it for a long time, and then, she summed it up in one word – “confidence”. And, that confidence is something she wants more women to enjoy, especially her 5 daughters.

 

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