Hamed Ghannad and his wife Faezeh came to Kelowna, from Iran, in December of 2010 because Faezeh got accepted into the PhD program at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan (UBCO). Faezeh completed her PhD and is a food scientist. Hamed has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. They have a son, Ryan, who is 4 years old.
Hamed and Faezeh arrived around Christmas. A time all about family and love. Already feeling homesick, missing family and friends, life for them was not very exciting compared to their lifestyle back home. Hamed and Faezeh found it hard to adjust to their new life in Kelowna. Back home things were very busy and dynamic. Hamed was a rock musician and a manager of engineering projects. Being far from home in a completely new place with no friends was difficult.
Hamed started searching to find things to occupy his time. He heard about Project Literacy and started working one-on-one with a tutor. Meanwhile, he was looking for a job. Hamed’s goal was to advance his English skills and appreciate the culture to a greater degree, so he could find a job in his field. However, there were not many industrial opportunities in Kelowna, at the time, and he had no luck in finding any relatable jobs to his degree and work experience. He soon started looking for other options.
Hamed’s tutor, Ryan Klassen, supported him a lot and helped him in developing his language skills and understanding Canadian culture. Hamed and Ryan are still good friends today.
Attending Project Literacy was the highlight of Hamed’s life. At the time he was lonely and didn’t have friends. Project Literacy helped him to improve his communication skills giving him confidence to make friends. Making friends brought excitement back into his life, and kept him busy. He thought it was great to know the stories of other immigrants and he made new lifetime friends.
Hamed got a job as a produce clerk at Peter’s Your Independent Grocer. After a year and a half, Hamed was promoted to Produce Manager. Hamed worked hard as a Manager; happily working overtime, if needed. He loved the environment and tried his best to make it better. Hamed used his management skills from previous experience back in Iran to run the department before he was offered the job six months later. Hamed increased sales by 42% in his first year as Manager and was one of the top selling produce departments in all Your Independent Grocers. Hamed is thankful to Peter, the owner of Peter’s Your Independent Grocer, for giving him the chance to grow and advance his managerial skills in Canada. Being far away from family, Hamed looks to Peter as a father figure.
Hamed worked for 8 years as the Produce Manager. After Faezeh graduated with her PhD, Hamed started his own business. He felt it was time to move on and found an opportunity he liked so he went for it. With seven years in the cement industry, back home, he was familiar with the concept and confident enough to start his own business. Hamed’s business: Stone Brothers Countertops Ltd., prepares and installs countertops and takes on renovation projects in bathrooms and kitchens.
Faezeh is doing great. After her graduation in 2015, she is leading R&D projects in the Pharmaceutical and Natural Health Products. Ryan, who is named after Hamed’s tutor, loves painting, singing, making art and biking. He graduated from daycare and is starting kindergarten in September.
All these years and through ups and downs of a life of an immigrant, Hamed kept his music career alive. His band “The Ways” is still producing music for fans in Iran and other countries. You can stream “The Ways” music through Instagram, Spotify, SoundCloud and YouTube. Hamed is grateful for all the opportunities and great people that he has met over the past ten years of his journey in Canada.