When Rammah left Sudan in 2022, it was not an easy decision. His hometown of Kosti, a city along the Nile, was beautiful and filled with memories. But economic struggles made it difficult to envision a future there. He left for Saudi Arabia, where he quickly found work as a site engineer. Still, his dream was always Canada, a country he said he had “admired for its opportunities, its safety, and its promise of a better life for his family.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering in Sudan, Rammah pursued international certificates in maintenance, project management, and fire safety. Given the economic situation in the country, and the growing instability, he knew he needed to relocate, and decided to migrate to Saudi Arabia for more opportunities.

Within two months of his move, Rammah secured work as a site engineer. But the greater challenge lay not in employment – it was in uniting his family during a war. Almost one year after he left Sudan, in May 2023, a civil war began that hasn’t yet ended. More than 14 million people had to leave their homes by the end of 2024, facing what the United Nations has called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

Rammah and his wife, Hanin, had married in Sudan, and when the conflict grew intense, they decided she should join him in Saudi Arabia, too. Getting her visa was an uphill battle. With no embassy nearby, the process required costly trips to the United Arab Emirates. It was a reminder of how difficult mobility can be for families like theirs.

In Saudi Arabia, Hanin and Rammah began to think about having a family, and where they could raise their children in safety and stability. “I was seeking to move to Canada, but didn’t know what mobility routes I would qualify for,” he says. It was a friend back home who first mentioned TalentLift. He had seen a YouTube video about the organization that helps skilled professionals move to Canada. Days later, Rammah found the same video and clicked through to the platform. At first, he hesitated, waiting a week before filling out his profile in May 2023. Like many others, he wasn’t sure if this opportunity would lead anywhere.

Over the months that followed, he began conversations with the TalentLift team, who had reviewed his profile. By November, he had two interviews, including one with Everguard Fire Safety, a pan-Canadian fire and life safety sales and service company with locations throughout Canada looking for a skilled Fire Alarm Technician.

The opportunity was life-changing. For the first time, Canada was no longer a distant dream.

When researching where to settle with Everguard Fire Safety, Rammah and his wife carefully considered their options. Thunder Bay, Ontario, stood out. The city’s natural beauty, affordability, and strong sense of community appealed to them. Their son, born just six months ago, will grow up in an environment with fresh air, outdoor activities, and the stability his parents have long sought.

“To me, it’s a dream come true,” Rammah said. “I want to give my son and my wife the life we couldn’t find in Sudan or Saudi Arabia.”

As he prepares to join Everguard Fire Safety, Rammah feels a mix of excitement and gratitude. The role is not just a job, it’s a stepping stone toward his long-term goal of obtaining a professional engineering license in Canada.

He also feels inspired by his wife, Hanin, who works in IT training and specializes in Microsoft projects. Together, they are determined to build a future where both can advance their careers, contribute to their new community, and raise their child in a place of opportunity. When asked what advice he would give others considering a similar journey, Rammah doesn’t hesitate: patience.

“It takes time,” he said. “But if you are patient and persistent, you will find opportunities. Canada is an excellent country, and it’s worth the wait.”

For Rammah, the wait is almost over. Soon, he will be working with Everguard Fire Safety, growing his skills, and discovering life in Canada – a place he hopes will become home for generations to come.

Candidates living in refugee circumstances and seeking a job in Canada can join TalentLift. Employers seeking global talent while engaging their team in something transformative can start hiring.