Today is World Refugee Day. To mark the day, we celebrate the countless contributions former refugees bring to our communities, while building empathy and understanding to what it means to be a refugee. Jeannette and Mohammad have kindly offered to share their stories with us. Jeannette’s Story “On February 20th, … Read more
From June 6-9, members of the ISANS community will volunteer at and run in this year’s Blue Nose Marathon presented by Scotiabank. Below are profiles of three of our runners. Be sure to cheer them on as they compete over the weekend! You can support the runners here. All funds … Read more
John Deans was lying on the couch one day in 2015 when he heard an appeal on the radio for volunteers to help resettle Syrian refugees. “I’d never done anything like this,” he says. “I immediately called the 211 number, thinking I’d just help out a bit.” John was assigned … Read more
Mentors played a huge role in helping Roshanak Sadeghi-Zadeh settle in Canada, and now she is assisting others by being a mentor and practice interviewer at ISANS. “Mentors really impacted my life,” says Roshanak. “They empowered me to find my way in this big scary new world when I first … Read more
Highly regarded Halifax physician Margaret Casey shares her medical expertise as an ISANS volunteer with International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Retired from active practice for 13 years, Margaret works with newcomers, helping them get licensed to practice in Nova Scotia. “I love talking about medicine but, more importantly, it’s been very … Read more
From the insecurity of life in Iraq, to becoming a volunteer with Feed Nova Scotia, Ali Al-Khazaali’s journey through life has taken many different turns. Ali arrived in Nova Scotia in October 2017 with his wife, Aster, and twin seven-year-old boys, Ezzuilden and Mohammed. They had fled Iraq a few … Read more
“Uncle Samson, do this. Uncle Samson, do that.” Those are magical words to Samson Woidgberiel, who arrived in Halifax as a refugee in 2016 to live with his sister and her family. She had already been living here for several years and she and her husband and four daughters, from … Read more
When Aida Sairawan arrived in Montreal in February 2016, the Syria native was so captivated by the snow that she played outdoors for three days. It was -35 and despite wearing warm clothing she got sick. “I was excited,” she says, “but I was also scared.” Five years earlier, Aida, … Read more
When Amardeep Sharma speaks, enthusiasm about his new life in Canada is palpable. Living in Nova Scotia only since December 2016, he has already found a rewarding job as a human resources project coordinator at Delta Halifax hotel. Amardeep came here from Delhi, India, with his wife, Prajjalita, and their … Read more
“I’m a new graduate with 20 years’ experience!” exclaims Ramin Hakimi, reflecting on his status as a Canadian-accredited dentist. When Ramin arrived here in February 2013, the Iranian-trained dentist declared that within two years he would conquer the roadblocks to practising in Canada. He has succeeded, thanks to ISANS’ Career … Read more
Carolina Estefa Aviles’ first days in Nova Scotia were tough. Living in the small community of Ingramport without a job or a driver’s license, days were long and lonely for the native of Ecuador. But once she contacted Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, at the urging of her Canadian-born … Read more
