The first Syrian refugee family to arrive in Cape Breton has moved on to Halifax.

Mahmoud and Halima Aabo and their four young children arrived here last January. They were sponsored by four local families and the federal government.

They lived for a few months with sponsors Stephen Read and Irene Grezel of Marion Bridge.

Family is doing well

"They left for Halifax about six weeks ago and our understanding is they got there just fine. They have a place to live down there," Read told CBC's Information Morning Cape Breton.

"It looks as if everything is going well for them."

In March, the Aabos said they were happy with the welcome they got from the community in Cape Breton Regional Municipality and were eager to move into their own home at the end of that month.

Joined other Syrian families

​The family lived in Sydney for three months before moving to Halifax.

"The reasoning behind the move to Halifax had more to do with personal things than Cape Breton. When they left Syria originally, they left with some friends. They ended up spending quite a bit of time in Lebanon together ... while they were in transition," Read said.

"Their best friends ended up in Halifax through the refugee program. They were in contact with each other all the time. There are quite a few families in the Halifax area. They wanted to be their friends so they decided to move down there."

Sorry to lose them

The sponsoring families were sorry to see the Aabos go.

"We're disappointed obviously that they are not becoming Cape Bretoners," said Read.

"It was really a small part of our original plan — our effort was really humanitarian. Give them a chance to have a better life and their four kids. We have achieved that."

The Aabo's sponsors will continue to financially support them for the full year. The cost is about $14,000 to $15,000.

"After that they are on their own, like any other citizen," Read said.