By Ian Holmes

‘Like a dream:’ Syrian family survives constant danger to chart new path in Nanaimo

Mar 6, 2017 | 2:21 PM

NANAIMO — After years on the run, bullet wounds and persistent war, a Syrian refugee is still struggling to believe his new life in Nanaimo is reality.

Abdulhadi Alderwish, 40, his wife and four children just surpassed their one-year anniversary living in Nanaimo after several life-threatening years in Syria.

Through interpreter Ahmad Briz of the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS), Alderwish said he came to Canada to create a future for his family.

“(I) want to be providing to the country and return the favour for saving him and bringing him and his family to safety here,” Alderwish said.

Safety was scarce in Syria for the Alderwish family. He said they were on the run for four years and fled multiple times from their home in Homs, Syria, in the western part of the country. Alderwish said his family managed to hide in Jordan temporarily before arriving in Nanaimo.

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Alderwish said he was shot three times during constant fighting in Syria and survived other challenges such as no heat and services.

“People are still existing in the midst of bombing around their homes,” Alderwish said. “People are surviving because there is no other option.”

He became emotional when talking about Syria and said he can’t truly enjoy his new life on Vancouver Island knowing other family members are still there.

Alderwish has learned the basics of English and is into his fourth week on his full-time job with Nanaimo Precast, a concrete construction firm.

Nanaimo Precast president AJ Hustins expressed an interest in hiring a Syrian refugee and was referred by CVIMS to three people who could be a good fit, including Alderwish.

Hustins said his new employee fits in nicely.

“The majority of our team are Canadian, but the one thing they share is they all understand construction engineering, that’s like a culture in itself,” Hustins said. “We spent time coaching them about what this process was going to be like and that’s gone really well and they’ve accepted him.”

Hustins said having a more diverse work environment is an asset.

“That was one of the incentives for me,” he said. “I want to have a company, a group of people, from all walks of life, that makes the lunch breaks and some of our social events pretty interesting.”

Alderwish said he owned a construction company and an auto parts shop in Syria and was a millionaire, adding he and his family escaped with only the clothes on their backs.

CVIMS settlement manager Samantha Letourneau said people like Alderwish and his family are incredibly resilient people who are hoping to rebuild their lives. She said the people of Nanaimo have gone far and beyond what could be expected in welcoming an influx of Syrian refugees.

“All of that really supports building an inclusive community,” she said. “Everyone’s feeling welcome and supported and that helps make for a welcomed transition for families.”

According to the CVIMS, 135 primarily Syrian refugees moved to Nanaimo between March and December 2016.

ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes