Antigonish volunteers say reuniting Syrian family, a priority

The first Syrian family to arrive in Antigonish says three months of living in the community is wiping out their memories of years of poverty and suffering in Lebanon, but they're anxious to be joined by some family members they had to leave behind.

The Hadhad family, including four of the seven children, have made a home in Antigonish. The family left behind three adult daughters who are all married: one in Saudi Arabia, one in Syria and one in Lebanon. 

In order to build this new life, the Hadhads made a tough decision. They left without one of their daughters and her two children, who were living with them as refugees.  

Two years ago, her husband was arrested in Syria and they haven't heard from him since. Because of that, her move to Canada has been far more complicated.

Shehenaz Hadhad says she talks to her daughter every day, but she's sick with worry about her safety. 

"[I am] sad for my daughter in Lebanon," said Hadhad through tears. "Alone in Lebanon. She has two children."

The Hadhads say the conditions in the country are very hard for refugees. They owned no furniture, and slept on the floor. 

Plan underway

The volunteer group CARE at St Ninian's Cathedral heard of the family's separation and decided to take it on and raise the $30,000 needed to bring the three family members to Antigonish.

They reached their fundraising goal before they held their first fundraiser.

"It's not every day you get to reunite a family," said Donna MacGillivray, a member of CARE. "Especially a victim of a war torn country."

While they've been told she could arrive any day, it's an anxious wait for the family who worry for her safety.

"They shouldn't be apart at a time like this," said MacGillivray.