Toronto, Canada
“I want to do something in music”
Rammah’s interview is published here as a transcript. The recording is not yet available.
Born in Damascus, Syria in 1988, Rammah came to Canada in 2018 with his brother through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. He had an undergraduate degree in Arabic, with experience in English-Arabic translation, Arabic teaching in the UAE, and six years in customer service at a travel agency in Dubai. Music has always been an important part of his life since childhood. When asked at the airport what he wanted to do in Canada, he said 'I want to do something in music.' He was connected with a music organization and joined as a singer. He eventually took up Uber when scheduling conflicts arose between his day job and music career. Uber provides him with the flexibility to pursue his artistic ambitions.
When a woman at the airport asked me what I wanted to do in Canada, I said 'I want to do something in music.' Music had always been an important part of my childhood. I recalled singing for my family members on community gatherings and festivals. I took some music lessons in Dubai, but only began pursuing it professionally after moving to Canada. Through the woman at the airport, I was connected with a music organization, which I joined as a singer.
I sought the help of a settlement agency, but always ran into the obstacle of lack of 'Canadian experience.' But how will I get it, if I don't get a job? I was recommended to volunteer to gain this 'experience,' which I did, and that eventually led to a diploma in community services. Still not able to find employment in the industry of my preference, I resorted to working in a factory and then a warehouse to make ends meet.
I eventually took up Uber when scheduling conflicts began to arise between my day job and my music career. Driving Uber provides me with the flexibility of pursuing my artistic ambitions. I hope that eventually I'll be at a place in my musical career which would allow me to stop driving and focus just on my art.