Dhabblers, the Abu Dhabi Week website produced by and for teenagers is back, with the help of talented young writers from British International School Abu Dhabi (BISAD)
The Dhabbler website is a platform for talented young writers in the community to showcase their work, express themselves, obtain media experience and to increase their confidence as writers.
Each month a dedicated team of teenagers from a local secondary school in Abu Dhabi will be responsible for writing, selecting and proofreading reviews, news, features and other articles.
Participating schools will have turns running Dhabblers for a period of one month. The website will be in the hands of the students with minimal input from Abu Dhabi Week; during the allocated month staff writer Catriona Doherty, will visit the school on a weekly basis to meet with the editorial team and answer any questions that they may have.
If your school would like to get involved in this exciting opportunity, e-mail Catriona Doherty at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call: 02 401 2752.
Although it’s certainly not a prerequisite to have had work published before, this month’s editorial team have already put pen to paper, and have had articles published in their school magazine The Scribbler. Meet Tamara Moule, Izzy Wall, Arar Al Ahaheri, Ella Watson, Aryan Jafri and Shannon Lienert.
Aryan Jafri
I am 13 years old. My dad is from Pakistan and my mum is from Finland. I love to cook, bake and do gymnastics. I think that writing for the Dhabblers is a fantastic opportunity and I’m really looking forward to seeing other schools creative ideas!
Shannon Lienert
I’m 14 years old and my hobbies are skiing, travelling and writing. I enjoy writing, as it’s a brilliant way to express my feelings. Writing also lets me let out all of my thoughts and be as creative. It’s a means of looking back and recording memories from the past. Writing is simply something that I love.
Tamara Moule
I’m 13 years of age, I’m half British and half Russian. I have a huge passion for reading and writing and I have been a member of The Press Gang for two years. The Press Gang is an after-school club where we write a newsletter for students informing them about all the exciting events that take place in our school. I’m extremely excited about writing for Dhabblers and I already have a lot of interesting ideas of what to write about.
Arar Al Dhaheri
I love social networking as it keeps me in touch with friends. I also enjoy playing online games, reading the news and listening to music. I adore bands and I’m looking forward to writing music reviews for you.
Izzy Wall
I’m 13 years old and was born in England. I’m fortunate enough to go to BISAD and I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to write for Dhabblers. My hobbies are watching films, singing and taking photos. These things will influence my writing, which I hope you will enjoy.
Ella Watson
I am British but was born in Germany. I have lived in many places including The Falkland Islands, Brunei, Germany, England and Abu Dhabi. I’m writing for Dhabblers because I adore English. I love thinking of innovative ideas, and writing stories and articles. My inspiration comes from magazines like Abu Dhabi Week, so I’m pleased that I’ve been given this chance to write for you all.
The BISAD team are responsible for Dhabblers from 14th April to 12th May. Be sure to check out their articles on: www.abudhabblerweek.ae
Catriona Doherty
I Believe
A speech inspired by Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream
Dear Friends,
Despite the difficulties that our world is facing, I still believe that there is hope. I believe that one day no one will be judged by their looks, where they’re from or the colour of their skin and that one day we will realise the beauty of our differences.
We are all individuals in the world and together we are one family. Families respect each other, they don’t judge by the style of their hair or the clothes they wear. We all have our individual style that shouldn’t be changed. We shouldn’t be put down if we have different interests from each other. Not everyone is
the same.
Our world today needs to start acting more like family, not enemies. I believe that this can happen, with a little more understanding of each other.
I believe that one day, we will all join hands and celebrate for the union of our world, all our 195 countries, all our 3,400 cities and each and every single person. That from the mountains of Europe to the jungles of Africa, we will all be united in harmony.
I believe that one day, people will not be treated different from anyone else, just because of their religion or race.
I believe that one day our world will overlook their differences and respect each other. If we all looked the same, acted the same, were the same, then the world would be such an uninteresting place.
Each of us are different in our own unique way, some may be better at one thing and some at others. But why should this make us drown in each others’ hate and abuse?
We were created as individuals. Individuals who are equal. Individuals who love, not hate. Individuals who understand each other. So where did these understandings go?
When will the hateful judgment stop? When will we realise that the acts of cruelty are hurtful? When will we realise that all together we are one and that there is no need of judgment?
I say my friends, this should happen now. We have waited long enough. When freedom comes, then that is the day where the world will live in harmony, united by our love. Love – that’s my favourite word in the whole world.
Shannon Lienert
