Syrians find comfort and work in rural Nova Scotia

Five Syrian men whoarrived in Nova Scotia less than a year ago have landed agricultural processing work in Oxford, N.S.

Sorting onions on a conveyor belt at Oxford Frozen Foodsmight not be everyone's idea of a dream job but the newcomers say they are grateful to be able tosupport their families.

They're also pleased to be able to stay in Cumberland County.

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When they landed in Nova Scotia last February, the groupfirst moved to the small community of Advocate Harbour on the Bay ofFundy. They were sponsored by the governmentand a community group called Advocate for Refugees.

'Really, really loveAdvocate'

MajadAlboush, his wife and two sons moved from Advocate in mid-December to Oxford and into a house owned by the frozen food company. In the summerithouses the company's temporary foreign workers.

Even though the Alboush family is settling in well in Oxford, he saidtheymiss the people they've left behind in Advocate.

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For instance, sonsKarim, 12,andImad, 7, had settled in school in Advocateand made lots of friends.The village was the family's first home in Canada, and theAlboushesfeel connected to the Advocate community.

So much so that Alboushsaidhe eventually would like to have dwellingsin both communities.

"I wantwork here in Oxford and visit Advocate Ireally, really loveAdvocate," he said through an interpreter.

Learning to speak English

The other four men who work at Oxford Frozen Foods commute from Amherst. None of them speak English very well yet, although 18-year-oldFerezLatifais getting closer to being fluent.

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A volunteer interpreter from nearbySpringhillhelped out during the new workers' first three shifts at the plant. Co-workers and bosses have also helped them, the group said.

Worry about family left behind

All themen left behind family members in Jordan, Lebanon or Syria. They worry about them.

TareqNoamannis concerned about two of hisbrothers. Onelives near the fighting in Aleppo and he fears the other inHomsis being forced into fighting.

All wish they could bring their families to Canada.

MazenAlchehadecame to Canada with his wife and fourchildren.

Canadians arethe "top people in the world," he said with the help of an interpreter. Of Canadian generosity, hesaid he's"never seen anything like it."