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:
Lovely story. A new home and a new start. Resilience.
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
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!
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. :-)
A success story!
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.
Tears, and only wishes for success.
So good to see they've restarted their lives; I wish them every success. "One Peace Won't Hurt" terrific.
i always enjoy a good success story...and when it's about chocolate, that's even better!!!
What a wonderfully uplifting little story. Wishing them all the best with their venture.
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.
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.
A wonderful story, glad to hear the community welcomed them. I wish them the best.
How wonderful they were able to start over again. I'm smiling.
Oh my it looks delicious! Andrea
This is the best of immigration and the majority of folks follow their dreams.
For sure, Linda.
It has to be hard to leave family and friends. The family has started over for sure, Diane.
Me too, Debra.
You are welcome, Jan!
Indeed, AC.
It is good to hear that relatives are finding sponsorship as well, Shammi.
I feel the same, Joanne.
It is a great sentence, Celia!
Success and chocolate are a great combination, Debbie.
They are on the right track, John and working hard.
I know, Barbara. We forget so easily it seems.
I didn't realize Australia didn't accept m/any refugees, EC.
The family was well received in Antigonish, Bill.
Mrs. Hadhad told us it's been hard work and they are learning English too, Mage.
It is, Andrea.
They do indeed follow their dreams, Tabor.
What brave people to start again ❤️
Another success story in Canada! One of many.
: )
wonderful story, Marie!!!
So true, Ann.
This is true, Catarina.
It is, SW.
Very inspirational people. Delicious looking chocolates.
Very true, Mildred.
What a great story!
what a great story - maybe a few more politicians should read this kind of thing!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
That family has worked hard, FG.
Our prime minister mentioned this family in a speech at the U. N., Stewart.
This is a wonderful story. This should be on the news instead of all the horrible things going on.
This is such a local good news story and you have done justice to it, Marie.
It has been on the news in eastern Canada, Jenn.
Thanks, Jenny.
It's good to hear that after so much hardship that there is a happy ending. Sarah x
I read about them in the news - very nice!
This family is still writing their story, Sarah. They are working hard.
It was wonderful to meet them, Karen.
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