Nearly seven months after arriving in Nova Scotia, a Syrian refugee,who was once a successful chocolate maker in Damascus but  lost it all to war, has started a tiny shed-turned-factory to pay back to the welcoming community.

“He is saying it is a big happiness. Today is a happy day to have come this far in a short time,” Tareq Hadhad, the son of Assem Haddad, told CBC News.

Hadhad was once a successful chocolate maker in Damascus, Syria.

He owned a factory there and employed 30 people. He used to ship chocolates all over the Middle East, but lost it all to war.

Arriving in Canada, the community of Antigonish received his family with welcoming arms.

Hundreds of people helped them establish a home but Assam Hadhad wanted to contribute and continue his life’s work.

“Work is life,” Tareq Hadhad explains.

“You interact with your new community and develop ideas and skills.”

In turn, Hadhad donated profits to the victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires.

“Antigonish is a very caring, loving community. We embrace Syrians. I think for them it is a dream come true really and we are pleased this has happened,” says long-time Antigonish resident Diane Roberts, one of 50 people who turned out for today’s official opening.