Volunteer Shemaa shares stories from our event welcoming New Scots families to Dundee
“I really enjoyed this event, I wish we could have one like this every two weeks!” – Yosra, participant
Scottish Refugee Council started its new refugee integration services in Dundee a few months ago. On 1st February, the Dundee team organised its first family event to welcome New Scots to the city.
Over 25 families attended the event and discussed Scotland’s vision of refugee integration as well as refugee integration in Dundee.
Wafa Shaheen, Head of Asylum Integration and Resettlement at SRC, presented the New Scots strategy, Dundee Humanitarian Protection Partnership, and plans to support integration and well-being.
This was followed by a series of fruitful brainstorming table discussion about the wealth of skills, talents, and interests that refugees in Dundee can offer. Our next step is to turn these ideas into action together. And then, of course, came the fun part – music, dance, and food!
A group of talented New Scots, some of whom have been here for less than two months – Wael, Husam, Mohammed, Ahmed, and Nour – amazed all the guests with their beautiful performance.
The group played traditional Arab Instruments such as the Oud and the Goblet Drum, accompanied with the sound of young men singing traditional Syrian and Iraqi songs that spread happiness all over the event, with others dancing and clapping along with happy faces and laughs in the background. Music, Dabke and delicious food made the evening a memorable first SRC event in Dundee.
These ambitious young artists have many plans in mind, including setting up their own a band and performing all over Scotland to share their talent, culture and heritage with Scotland.
They will perform again here in Dundee during Refugee Festival Scotland 2019 – watch this space!
