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Friday 3 November 2017

Chocolates and peace

A world away in Syria, their home was destroyed during the civil war. Their business, a large chocolate factory in Damascus, was destroyed also. The family had a good life in Syria before the conflict began.


The Hadhad family spent three years in refugee camps, then applied to come to Canada which they did in 2016. They settled in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The family started making chocolate in their home and selling it at the Farmer’s Market. Then, with help from the community, they built a shed 




in the yard of their home where they made chocolate and sold it.




This year they have a factory and a plan to hire twenty people. Their chocolates will be on the shelves of major grocery chains in Atlantic Canada.




On our recent trip to Antigonish, our friends, Carlo and Hiltrud, who had immigrated to Canada from Berlin almost fifty years ago, took us to see the little shed front where Mrs. Hadhad and her daughter tend shop. After hearing so much about the Hadhad family and their story, it was great to meet them and wish them well. There was a time when our own ancestors were newcomers too. 





We sampled some chocolate and bought some too. Designs of the chocolates include the rose of Damascus and the maple leaf. It is delicious.





52 comments:

Linda d said...

Lovely story. A new home and a new start. Resilience.

Rhodesia said...

So good to hear they somebody has got out of the disaster and made it in life again. A very heart warming real life story. Keep well Diane

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a heartwarming story! And I love the logo on their chocolate box -- "One peace won't hurt"! Wishing them all the success in the world!

DJan said...

I'm so glad that Canada is allowing Syrian refugees to join them. I wish we could do the same. Thank you for brightening my day, Marie. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

A success story!

Shammickite said...

What a wonderful story.... I could even say it is a "sweet" story! I love chocolate and I'm sure I could cruise through that box of goodies in no time at all.
A Syrian family has been sponsored by the local churches and has been living here for a year, and I believe some of their relatives are being sponsored to arrive in 2018.

Joanne Noragon said...

Tears, and only wishes for success.

Celia said...

So good to see they've restarted their lives; I wish them every success. "One Peace Won't Hurt" terrific.

Debbie said...

i always enjoy a good success story...and when it's about chocolate, that's even better!!!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

What a wonderfully uplifting little story. Wishing them all the best with their venture.

Barbara said...

I love the box. So happy that things have worked out better for this family. You are right. We were all immigrants or born of immigrants. How did we get to be so snooty.

Elephant's Child said...

This is truly lovely. I am so grateful to your country for offering sanctuary and new beginnings. And so ashamed of my own country on the refugee/asylum seeker front.

Bill said...

A wonderful story, glad to hear the community welcomed them. I wish them the best.

Mage said...

How wonderful they were able to start over again. I'm smiling.

Anonymous said...

Oh my it looks delicious! Andrea

Tabor said...

This is the best of immigration and the majority of folks follow their dreams.

Marie Smith said...

For sure, Linda.

Marie Smith said...

It has to be hard to leave family and friends. The family has started over for sure, Diane.

Marie Smith said...

Me too, Debra.

Marie Smith said...

You are welcome, Jan!

Marie Smith said...

Indeed, AC.

Marie Smith said...

It is good to hear that relatives are finding sponsorship as well, Shammi.

Marie Smith said...

I feel the same, Joanne.

Marie Smith said...

It is a great sentence, Celia!

Marie Smith said...

Success and chocolate are a great combination, Debbie.

Marie Smith said...

They are on the right track, John and working hard.

Marie Smith said...

I know, Barbara. We forget so easily it seems.

Marie Smith said...

I didn't realize Australia didn't accept m/any refugees, EC.

Marie Smith said...

The family was well received in Antigonish, Bill.

Marie Smith said...

Mrs. Hadhad told us it's been hard work and they are learning English too, Mage.

Marie Smith said...

It is, Andrea.

Marie Smith said...

They do indeed follow their dreams, Tabor.

ann @ studiohyde said...

What brave people to start again ❤️

Catarina said...

Another success story in Canada! One of many.
: )

Silver in AZ said...

wonderful story, Marie!!!

Marie Smith said...

So true, Ann.

Marie Smith said...

This is true, Catarina.

Marie Smith said...

It is, SW.

Anonymous said...

Very inspirational people. Delicious looking chocolates.

Marie Smith said...

Very true, Mildred.

The Furry Gnome said...

What a great story!

Stewart M said...

what a great story - maybe a few more politicians should read this kind of thing!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Marie Smith said...

That family has worked hard, FG.

Marie Smith said...

Our prime minister mentioned this family in a speech at the U. N., Stewart.

Jenn said...

This is a wonderful story. This should be on the news instead of all the horrible things going on.

jenny_o said...

This is such a local good news story and you have done justice to it, Marie.

Marie Smith said...

It has been on the news in eastern Canada, Jenn.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks, Jenny.

Down by the sea said...

It's good to hear that after so much hardship that there is a happy ending. Sarah x

Karen said...

I read about them in the news - very nice!

Marie Smith said...

This family is still writing their story, Sarah. They are working hard.

Marie Smith said...

It was wonderful to meet them, Karen.