Syrian refugee household ‘so proud’ to turn into Canadian residents

A Calgary refugee household was celebrating one thing particular Wednesday, thrilled that they’ve simply turn into Canadian residents.

“It’s an enormous day for me and for my household,” Abdulfatah Sabouni stated.

COVID-19 restrictions meant the citizenship ceremony occurred by way of Zoom, so Sabouni and his household grew to become residents at dwelling Wednesday morning.

“I’m so proud and so grateful I received the citizenship,” Sabouni stated.

It’s a giant step ahead in a tricky journey.

Sabouni arrange his cleaning soap firm, Aleppo Savon, after coming to Calgary as a refugee.

By making cleaning soap, Sabouni is carrying on a household custom that goes again 130 years in Syria.

“My household title is Sabouni, which suggests ‘the cleaning soap maker,’” Sabouni stated.

Sabouni had been pressured to close down his cleaning soap manufacturing unit within the Syrian metropolis of Aleppo and flee the preventing within the nation.

“I misplaced every part within the conflict,” Sabouni stated.

Sabouni has been step by step rebuilding his enterprise in Calgary, out of the blue discovering himself coping with the COVID-19 disaster.

“The pandemic, it’s so arduous,” Sabouni stated.

Aleppo Savon has been surviving by promoting on-line to clients throughout North America and by getting its cleaning soap into Alberta supermarkets.

“Most people like to assist native companies,” Sabouni stated. “Canada gave me every part, and my children now have a future.”

Sabouni is now donating proceeds from gross sales of one in all his soaps to the Canadian Pink Cross, to assist its work serving to refugees.

“To offer again a little bit bit to Canada,” Sabouni stated.

Sabouni’s 16-year-old son Abdulkader says he’s additionally feeling lucky to have turn into a Canadian citizen.

“This nation gave us hope, after every part that we’ve been by. We love this nation.”