Widad Saba is a 45-year-old loving mother to two adorable daughters. When we met Widad, she had a lot of ideas about projects after trying many professions and asking for advice from the team. The nail care salon seemed to be a perfect fit for her.

Widad made the difficult decision to leave Aleppo due to the intense shelling and moved to Damascus while pregnant with her first child. After some time, she returned to Aleppo, where she currently resides. Unfortunately, she faced another setback when her newly established home was damaged by a recent earthquake. This left her young daughters frightened and unwilling to stay in the house, so they moved to her parents' house.

With the absence of her husband, Widad had no choice but to take on the role of the household and face this new challenge alone. Her commitment to her daughters' well-being and future is her top priority. She wants to ensure that they have a stable and prosperous life. While her mother contributes to the family's finances as a caregiver for elderly people, Widad aspires to become financially independent and lighten the burden on her mother.

She plans on dedicating a room in her parents' house as her nail care salon, which will enable her to reduce costs in terms of rent and electricity.

Widad's strong work ethic is truly remarkable. Even with an injury to her hand, she refuses to let anything deter her from pursuing her career and providing for her family. She applied for various organizations, seeking financial support for her business. However, her project was repeatedly overlooked until she received an unexpected and joyous call from the Hope Center informing her that her project had been accepted. This news filled Widad with immense happiness and ignites hope for a brighter future for herself and her daughters. 

Emil comes from a musical family and is a professional bass guitarist. He plays at Aleppo Club Restaurant three times a week for weddings and events. In addition to his musical pursuits, Emil is a supervisor at a bank.

With 20 years of experience in playing the bass guitar, Emil's skills and talents as a bass guitarist have garnered him popularity and recognition, leading him to collaborate with numerous renowned singers. However, he felt that his music was limited without an amplifier for his bass guitar. The band he played with often struggled to keep up with the poor sound quality, resulting in lower payment for Emil's hard work and talent. As the sole breadwinner of his family, this was particularly challenging.

Thanks to the assistance of Hope Center, Emil now has a new amplifier that has truly transformed his musical abilities. With this amplifier, his talent and skills shine brighter than ever before, allowing him to captivate audiences and increase his income.

George is a newly departed military soldier, his service years had lasting consequences on his health, the doctor advised him to stay away from strong smells and dust before it gets worse. Unfortunately, George was a residential painter and couldn't avoid exposure to strong odors, thus he had to quit his job to prevent further harm.

Desperate for help and support, George turned to his friends, hoping they would help him overcome this tough situation. However, none of them offered a helping hand. As a newlywed and the sole provider for his family, the weight of the world descended upon George's shoulders as he was unable to find employment and lived in a rented house, he felt a deep sense of insecurity and uncertainty. This financial instability made him hesitant about starting a family, as he didn't feel confident in his ability to provide for a child's needs.

In the past, George worked on his father's pickup truck from 2006 to 2008. However, the truck broke down, and he couldn't afford to repair it. Determined to provide for his family, he turned to street vending, selling various equipment and goods simply to scrape by and put food on the table.

George had to explore alternative options, with the help of the Hope Center, he found a glimmer of hope and he was able to acquire a new pickup truck, which he now uses to deliver goods and perform tasks that are safe for his health condition. George's main aspiration is to provide a stable income, start his own family and become a father.

Abdullah Hatem, a hardworking 31-year-old with an entrepreneurial mindset, started his journey from a young age. He worked alongside his father, who owned a car mechanic workshop, but Abdullah did not envision himself working in the same field. Instead, he developed a keen interest in the art of garment printing. In 2012, he embarked on his journey and worked towards starting his own project and owning a workshop.

Abdullah's determination and hard work allowed him to save every penny he earned, aiming to purchase his very own shop. Initially, he rented a small space, but through persistent efforts, he eventually managed to buy his own workshop. However, the outbreak of war disrupted his business, causing a significant decline in his income. Additionally, he faced the challenge of acquiring the necessary printing equipment.

Abdullah made investments with a friend in an attempt to increase his income, but unfortunately, it did not yield favorable returns. Faced with these setbacks, he found himself in need of a helping hand to provide the push he required. With the assistance of Hope Center and access to essential equipment and materials, he aimed to boost the productivity and quality of his project. He found solace and guidance, which restored hope and determination to overcome all hardships.

Kevork is a 53-year-old skilled mechanic with over 30 years of experience in car maintenance and mechanics. He used to work in his workshop, which he owned since 2005. However, when the war started, his house in Aleppo was damaged by the ongoing shelling. As a result, he was forced to make the difficult decision of selling the equipment he had acquired through years of hard work and moving to Lebanon with his family.

From 2015 onwards, he resided in Lebanon along with his wife and his two sons. In 2018, he returned to Aleppo. Relying on his years of experience, he was determined to support his family.

Despite the challenges he faced, living with his parents, he remained committed to provide for his loved ones. With the assistance of the Hope Center, Kevork was able to obtain all the essential equipment he needed. With his revived business and experience, he was able to rebuild his thriving business.

Bassil Mssedy, a dedicated father in his 50s, worked as a blacksmith for 15 years in the industrial city of Aleppo. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the war made him jobless. The industrial area, once thriving, now lay in ruins.

Bassil and his wife used to reside in a rented house in Al Midan, an area that was heavily bombarded during the war. Tragedy struck one fateful day when a missile destroyed their home. Miraculously, they had left the house just an hour prior, escaping unharmed. Although relieved that their lives were spared, their house suffered significant damage, so they had to move in with their parents in 2014.

Despite their challenging circumstance and unemployment, Bassil managed to secure a position as a church keeper, working part-time. However, his income was barely sufficient to support his family. His wife worked at the airport to help her husband. Unfortunately, she also battled diabetes, adding further strain to their finances due to medical expenses.

Ensuring their basic needs became a daily challenge, as putting food on the table proved to be a constant struggle. They heavily relied on food baskets and cash aids to make ends meet. 

In the depths of despair, Bassil was filled with hope when he received assistance from the Hope Center. With the new taxi he received, he was able to increase his resilience and income, which brought stability to his life.

George Tabbakh is a skilled CNC machinist with 15 years of experience. He began his career in 1997 until 2002 when he decided to start his own business and invest in a metal lathing machine. George has always had a passion for personal development and enjoys immersing himself in new learning experiences. Aware of the potential of 3D printing and mechanical drawing, he attended numerous workshops and courses to enhance his skills with software like SolidWorks.

In 2008, George purchased his own 3D printer. Things were going well until the outbreak of war significantly impacted his business. Faced with financial challenges and a scarcity of jobs, George was forced to sell his equipment. However, in 2015, he resolved to rebuild his career and opened a new shop with the hope of reestablishing his work.

George encountered a multitude of difficulties and challenges. Despite working tirelessly to increase his income, the majority of his earnings were consumed by electricity bills, leaving little to provide for his family of three. His work particularly suffered from the absence of a CNC machine. Whenever a customer requested a small sample, George had to rely on others who owned such machines, often waiting for a month just to receive a sample due to the machine's scarcity in the city.

George and his wife made the conscious decision to stay in Aleppo, despite numerous opportunities to relocate. His wife also contributes to the family's income, supporting her husband through these challenging times. While they have hopes for better prospects in Syria, they are concerned about the low salaries and inflation.

With the support of hope centers, George finally obtained the necessary equipment for his job. The availability of the CNC machine has been a game-changer for his business, allowing him to produce samples quickly and efficiently. George remains dedicated to his craft, determined to make the most of this newfound opportunity to improve his financial situation and provide for his family.

Vahe Tashjian is a 56-year-old mechanic with 23 years of experience. In his younger years, he worked in Kuwait, but he later moved to Aleppo, where he found employment in various companies. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of war, the companies closed down, leaving him jobless. 

Vahe has always dreamt of owning his own workshop, but his previous attempts were unsuccessful due to the need for financial resources, in 2022, he briefly went to Dubai but got very ill. In less than a year, Vahe returned to Aleppo with great hopes and determination to establish his livelihood. Given his extensive experience, he no longer wanted to work as an employee. 

Luckily, through a friend, he managed to secure a temporary workshop without having to pay rent. As Vahe took his first steps in this new workspace, the recent earthquake impacting the already struggling job market and resulted in a severe decline in customers. This situation left him with no choice but to take matters into his own hands. In order to cut costs, he had to let go of his workers and do the hard physical work himself, which put strain on his health.

 After receiving approval for his project, Vahe felt a sense of relief. He could now bring back his dedicated workers and once again immerse himself in the job he loved. No longer needing to rely on borrowed equipment from others, Vahe was finally able to invest in his own tools and resources. He could provide for his family and generate a more substantial income.

Aziz is a determined young man, recently married to Rasha and waiting for their first born child.

He worked as a driver since 2009 and continued working in this job during his ten-years military service in Damascus, Rasha works as a nurse in a hospital and they live in a modest rented house. 

During his service aziz was injured in the leg then he was discharged and he started looking for a job to secure his life and future. His parents decided to travel and leave the country but Aziz decided to stay and he started looking for a job to secure his life; he started working night shifts at a beverage shop in a local neighborhood but the salary was low and the job included many troubles so he kept his faith and determined to search for a solution to enhance his situation. 

After getting married, Aziz responsibilities got bigger and he found the micro program as the best opportunity to get back to his original career as a driver, with the support he got the taxi and he can now improve his income and provide a good life for his wife and awaited child. 

Antoine had a good life before the war working as a hairdresser with great skill and many customers, in 2013 he was called for military service and had to serve for nine long years in Aleppo's suburbs which affected his health greatly as he was subject to many injuries from explosions.

Antoine suffered from a neurological condition that caused trembling in his hands and he no longer was able to continue in his original career of hairstyling, even grabbing the scissors became the most difficult task for him.

However, he didn't surrender and was determined to find a way to secure his livelihood especially that he is the breadwinner of the household that he shares with his parents and he looks after them; the family had to sell their house in Midan area after the brother was called to service so they can afford the increasing livelihood expenses.

He started working in a blacksmithing workshop but the income was insufficient and it demanded a lot of physical effort. With the support of the Micro Projects program, Antoine got a taxi that would help him make a better living and at the same time it is the most suitable job for his health condition, hopefully it will be the start of a better days to come for him and his loved ones. 

Haytham's journey in the world of tailoring began in 1988, Aleppo, During the war Haytham faced a great loss when his workshop in Shekh Maksoud was completely destroyed and all of his sewing machines and tools were stolen. He used to work alongside his brother for a short period of time, but circumstances led them to separate and focus on their individual projects. Haytham received his share of the profits, which he had planned for his own project, but instead, his wife got very sick so he had to use the money for her surgery. Unfortunately, destiny had a cruel twist in store for him as his beloved wife passed away after a heart surgery in 2014, leaving him devastated and alone.

In Haytham's time of despair, a friend suggested that he rent a workshop. Thankfully, the owners were understanding and charged him a minimal amount of rent, which was a relief considering the financial burden Haytham was already facing. However, there were additional expenses that Haytham had to bear, especially the high monthly private electricity bills. Most of his hard-earned income seemed to disappear into these bills, leaving him with little income to support himself.

Recently, Haytham received devastating news that the owners of the workshop were planning to sell the workshop, without even considering the impact it would have on him and on his son George. Determined not to let this happen, Haytham made the decision to upgrade the workshop in an attempt to prevent the owners from selling it. He planned to replace the outdated sewing machines with new ones that consumed only less electricity. This upgrade would not only modernize his workshop but also significantly reduce the electricity consumption.

With over 35 years of experience, Haytham has mastered the art of creating a wide variety of cotton-wear clothing, to both men and women, including pajamas and robes. As for his personal life, he and his son George live in a rented house. However, Haytham strives to provide the best life possible for his son and wishes to ensure a stable and successful future for him. Haytham's determination and drive are truly admirable. Growing up as an orphan, he experienced hardships at a very young age; however, his determination and passion for his craft have always been the driving forces in his life. Today, with the new machines and support from the Hope Center that Haytham has received, he has overcome challenges and secured a better future for himself and his beloved son, George.

With 8 years of experience, Hani was an active member of the photographers' union, but his old camera and limited equipment posed challenges during the economic crisis. His struggle to meet the growing demands of clients left him feeling inadequate.

As a single man supporting his mother, his family depended on him after his father's passing, and his siblings had started their own lives. In pursuit of his passion, Hani traveled to Lebanon in 2015, where he worked at a restaurant and at the same time, honed his photography skills and got the camera that he still uses till now. 

Upon his return in 2020, he opened a studio in Fairouza village couple years later, establishing a presence on social media to showcase his work. However, he faced a roadblock in keeping up with rapidly evolving photography technology. That's when he applied to the Micro Projects Program, hoping for support to upgrade his equipment.

Hani's dreams extend beyond photography; he aspires to build a brighter future for himself and his mother. With the assistance of the program, he aims to enhance his craft and provide a better life for his family, illustrating that with determination, one can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. 

Naram and his wife Souraya, in addition to his elderly mother, live in Fairouza village, after they have faced significant challenges since being displaced from Homs city due to the war. He is a dedicated carpenter with his own workshop, but he had been struggling with the lack of electricity in their area. Frequent blackouts hindered his work, affecting his income and livelihood.

Recognizing the need for a solution, he applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. Thanks to the program, he was able to obtain an electric generator and essential tools. This crucial support not only improved his carpentry business but also enhanced the family's living conditions.

Now, with a newborn baby in their care, Naram and Souraya are determined to provide a bright future for their child. The generator and tools have empowered the skilled carpenter to work more efficiently, ensuring a stable income and a better life for his growing family. 

Habsa and her family have faced many challenges in their journey from Al-Jabriyah village to Homs city. When they were displaced during the war in 2011, they had to leave behind their home in Al-Sabeel neighborhood in Homs.

In 2013, Habsa opened a small stationary store in Al-Jabriyah village, renting a place to make ends meet. The store became a lifeline for her family, as both of her sons worked at a restaurant while studying. However, in 2018, the shop owner decided to sell the place, forcing the family to return to Homs.

Back in Homs, she reopened her stationery store, using the equipment and goods she had from the village. Things were going well until her main printer broke, and repairing it seemed impossible due to their limited resources. This setback greatly affected their profits, putting their livelihood and small business at risk.

Habsa applied to the Micro Projects Program, and with the provided support, she managed to repair the broken equipment and expand her store's inventory. This assistance not only saved her business but also provided hope and stability for her family's future. 

Maria, an English translation graduate, dedicated eight years of her life to teaching English at an institute. However, in 2021, an unfortunate foot injury and some shoulder problems forced her to step away from her beloved profession. She shared her home with her father and younger sister, but the family had already endured the loss of her mother to cancer.

Her father managed a small mini-market, but when his health took a turn for the worse, she stepped up to keep the family afloat. Taking care of the responsibilities of the mini-market and offering private lessons at home, she did her best to make ends meet.

Times grew tough as inflation negatively affected their income. The added burden of power outages left their shop's refrigerator empty and inoperable. To save their only source of livelihood, Maria turned to the Micro Projects Program for assistance.

With hope in her heart, she applied for essential food commodities and goods to restock the shelves of their mini-market. She also sought a solar power system to overcome the electricity shortages. With the support, Maria fought to preserve her family's small business and secure a brighter future for her father and sister. 

Bassel, a hardworking farmer from Qattinah village, shoulders the responsibility of providing for his family of five. His brother, bravely battling cancer, is the sole provider for his family of three. Together, they persevere through challenging times.

At home, Bassel resides with his wife, Juliette, who earns a modest income, and their three children. To make ends meet, he works as a driver, ensuring an extra source of income.

Their land, planted with vegetables and wheat, is a vital lifeline. A well and pond facilitate watering. However, the expenses of plowing and spraying the land became an overwhelming financial burden.

In their quest for support, Bassel sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program. With the assistance, he acquired a mini-cultivator, a sprayer, and a weed cutter. These tools are now the cornerstone of hope for both his and his brother's families, ensuring their livelihoods sustainability. 

Laurence and his parents moved to Fairouza village after the war, in 2018, he returned from Lebanon, where he spent 5 years working as a chef, and took the responsibility of running his father's mini-market in Al-Hamidia neighborhood, Homs, which was stolen and left in ruins during the war. 

He repaired and reopened the shop, offering many food commodities, in addition to dairy products, prepared meals, ice cubes, and ice cream. But a persistent challenge was the limited hours of electricity, impacting the perishable goods stored in his refrigerator.

In an effort to overcome this hurdle, Laurence applied to the Micro Projects Program for a solar power system. This innovation not only ensured the preservation of his stock but also lit up his sign, guiding customers to his shop in the dark.

As Laurence builds his future with his fiancée, his micro-project serves as a lifeline for his parents and his future family, illuminating a path of hope amidst adversity. 

Forced to leave their home in Al-Qusayr due to the ravages of war, Mouna and her husband Ibrahim found themselves in Homs with their four children, three of whom had traveled to Lebanon in search of a brighter future. As if the challenges of displacement weren't enough, Ibrahim's heart problems left him unable to work.

In 2014, the selfless mother made a bold decision to support her family. She rented a small shop and began selling dairy products, drawing from her past experience with a dairy shop in their village. However, her micro-project faced a daunting obstacle. The unreliable power supply in Homs meant that two of her shop's refrigerators remained shut down, resulting in substantial losses of perishable goods.

For Mouna, the Micro Projects Program was a great opportunity. It offered her the chance to revive her family's main source of income by providing a reliable power source. With the installation of a solar power system, her shop thrived once more, ensuring that her daughter could continue her science studies and that her family had a secure livelihood. 

After enduring the horrors of the cruel war that affected her family's home in Al-Qusayr village, Abir, her husband Badri, and their three sons sought refuge in Lebanon before eventually returning to Homs. Together with her sister, they found solace in a rented apartment, attempting to rebuild their lives from the ashes of destruction.

Life has not been easy for this family; Badri, the bread distributor, not only carries the burden of providing for his loved ones but also fights a daily battle with heart disease, requiring costly medications that add to their financial strain.

In an attempt to improve their situation, Abir embarked on a simple yet ambitious venture in February 2023; a small vegetable shop. The dire financial circumstances left them unable to afford their eldest son's education, and he now stands beside his mother. Previously, she worked in the dairy industry, but the sudden death of her mother and a broken refrigerator forced her to halt that endeavor when her children were still young.

Determined to improve her family's life and inspired by the absence of any dairy shop in the region, she made a courageous decision. She decided to reintroduce dairy products to her shop's offerings. 

Recognizing the potential in Abir's dedication and her willingness to revive the dairy business, she applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the support, she aimed to acquire a refrigerator along with a solar power system to ensure a sustainable future for her enterprise, in addition to the essential requirements of her project.

In the face of war's cruelty, Abir's unwavering spirit prevails. Her dairy shop becomes an example of hope and resilience, illuminating a path of renewal for her family in Homs.

Kinda, a skilled nail care specialist, embarked on her journey in the beauty industry after three years of dedicated work at a salon. She decided to enhance her expertise by attending a nail care training course. However, lacking the necessary tools and equipment, she joined two salons, earning a percentage of the profits to support her husband, Hussam, who had a modest income working as an employee and a driver. Their life was centered in a rented house, and they aspired to improve their circumstances.

With over 7 years of experience, Kinda had a dream to become a partner in her cousin's hair salon, focusing on nail care. To achieve this dream and create a better life for her family, she turned to the Micro Projects Program for assistance in acquiring her own nail care kit. With the program's support, she can now work independently, contributing significantly to improving her family's situation while pursuing her passion for nail care.

Georgette, a skilled seamstress, has dedicated over three decades to working and providing for her family of five. Her husband, Maher, works in various fields with unstable income. 

Their village, Fairouza, faces poor electricity supply, hindering her productivity, in an effort to overcome this challenge, she purchased manual motors for her sewing machines, though they fell short of her expectations. Then, a ray of hope appeared in the form of the Micro Projects Program. Georgette seized the opportunity to secure a sustainable solution, so she applied for a solar power system and new sewing machine, aiming to enhance her work.

Her hard work shines through as she shoulders the primary responsibility for her family's income. Her skills, coupled with the newfound support, promise a brighter future for her, Maher, and their three children. Now, she is equipped with a solar power system and a new sewing machine, ensuring a brighter future for her family.

Youssef had always been a hard-working man. He learned the value of perseverance from a young age when he had to help his mother take care of his younger siblings. Despite the challenges, Youssef had always dreamed of giving his family a comfortable life.

Youssef landed a job in Lebanon, meanwhile, he studied engineering, He worked tirelessly for eight years to make ends meet and support his family back in Damascus. 

However, things took a turn for the worse in 2019 when the company Youssef worked for closed down. He had no choice but to return home to Damascus and look for work. With the money he saved for years, he bought simple equipment and landed a job at a goldsmith's workshop, initially working on a laser machine. With time and experience, Youssef's skills grew, and he became a valuable member of the workshop team, then he managed to get married and start a family.

the house he was renting was no longer affordable as the landlord increased the rent. Determined not to put his family on the streets, Youssef and his wife sold their gold, pooled their savings, and borrow some to complete building their own house. 

Then, things took a positive turn when Youssef received funding from a micro-project in Damascus. With the funding, he purchased a new laser machine, enabling him to expand his business and diversify his products. Youssef's talent and hard work have allowed him to turn his passion for crafts and design into a successful business that supports his family and helps cover his mother's healthcare.

Today, Youssef is a proud son, husband, and father of two beautiful children. He looks forward to the future, knowing that anything is possible with determination and hard work.

Suffering is an inseparable companion of war, especially for those who were injured and became incapacitated and unable to practice their life normally like in the case of Ebrahim Aldawod. After turning 18, Ebrahim was called for military service and stayed until  2011 when the war took place so he was kept as a reserve soldier for the next four years. however, in 2015 Ebrahim was exposed to a car accident during his service and was hurt badly which caused a disability, and had medical discharge from the service as a result.

Ebrahim was working tirelessly to provide his two adorable girls with the best living available but after the injury, he became unable to practice his old profession in sanitary maintenance like so he started to share his work with other workers to help him but that led to a decrease in his income which reflected on his financial situation.

He tried to find another career but due to his health condition, he didn't find any suitable job. Yet, Ebrahim didn’t let desperation enter his heart and was searching for any opportunity to improve his condition without needing to seek any aid from others.

With the help of Hope Center, Ebrahim was supported to purchase his own pick-up car that he will use in transferring goods and products between markets without having to make any physical effort.

This project will provide Ebrahim with a sustainable source of income to compensate for his injury consequences and preserve his dignity. 

Karina Issa graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry full of ambition, dreaming to become a successful dentist and have her own clinic. 

She did her training period with a doctor in Safita village where she also performed for rural service. Then in 2017, she got married to Kinan Dagher and moved to live with him in Dwalaa area in Damascus and they had their lovely daughter Anita. 

During that period Karina volunteered at St. Joseph dispensary and served the community and the poor in the area with passion and love for two years then their financial condition started to decline, so she and her husband decided to try living and working in the village looking for better circumstances, but the situation there was no better than Damascus especially due to the lack of jobs opportunities and low salaries so they returned to Damascus broken.

Her husband worked as an accountant at a mobile store trying his best to secure the livelihood demands for his family but Karina had one desire in her mind, which is having her own clinic.

such an aim was far from her reality due to its high costs and she had no solution but to wait and pray.

With the help of the Micro-project program, Karina gained the opportunity she was looking for, as she was supported with the dental chair and other equipment to start her own dental clinic which formed a turning point in her career life and will, for sure, form an improvement step in her living condition.

For most of his life, Abd Al-Ahad struggled against difficult circumstances and the lack of job opportunities in the country especially since he was working as a government employee for a modest salary and wasn't able to find an additional job during the years of war as it was challenging for anyone to find a good income source. 

Abd Al-Ahad had no choice but to stay in his job as a private driver at the Directorate of Livestock in the industrial city of Adraa in order to afford his livelihood demands but in 2014, the area was controlled by the armed groups and it became very risky to enter which made Abd Al-Ahad lose his only source of living.

However, he didn’t surrender so he started to work as a mobile salesman delivering goods and dairy products to shops in the countryside of Damascus in addition to working as a private driver for many people.

All he was seeking for is a decent living for his family but no matter how hard he worked, his income did not match the expenses, and his financial condition worsened during the ongoing economic crisis which led him to ask for support from his relatives.

Abd Al-Ahad was in persistent need of having his own project to improve his income so after applying to the Micro project program in Damascus, he was supported to purchase his own vehicle hoping that this project would form a new chapter of his life to help him afford the living demands of his family and preserve his dignity.

Rimon Eid is 31 years old, married to Joelle Smara, and has a newborn daughter named Stephanie

Rimon began his professional career at an early age when he learned the plumbing career and started working in partnership with his cousin. He quickly became a professional in this career and had his own customers.

Like any ambitious young man in his prime, Rimon was seeking to improve his financial situation and increase his income, so in 2009 he traveled to Lebanon in search of better job opportunities. Indeed, he worked there in the plumbing workshop field, in addition to many freelance jobs, where he spent most of his day at work trying to save as much as he could to establish his own family, but unfortunately, the situation in Lebanon began to worsen, affecting Rimon’s work, and he had no choice but to return to Syria and seek another work opportunity. indeed, he was lucky to have a three-year contract in Ghana, during which he was able to work and save the military service allowance.

In 2018, the contract ended so he returned to Syria and paid the allowance, and wanted to establish his own business, but his mother’s illness prevented him from doing so, as he spent the rest of his savings on her treatment.

Before applying to the Hope Center, Rimon was working at several workshops, and his financial situation was very bad because his income was barely enough to secure the daily food for his family, but now, after the fund, he has his own plumbing equipment that will enable him to become independent and improve his income significantly, and this will reflect positively on his living situation.

“After all the hardships I had been through, I was about to lose hope, but now I feel like life finally smiled at me”

This is how Tony Al-Ahmar expressed his feelings after being supported with the taxi project.

Tony Al-Ahmar is 35 years old, married to Jina Abboud and they have an adorable baby called Rudolf. Before the crisis, Tony worked as a catering officer in various restaurants and he was doing his best to save money and build up a decent future.

By the beginning of the Syrian war, he was called for military service in the intense conflict zone which made him face death several times, in addition to watching many of his friends die in front of his eyes without being able to save them.

In 2013, Tony was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and due to his medical condition, he was medically discharged from the service as he had to go through two difficult years of intensive treatment until he recovered.

Tony was grateful to God that he survived both the service and cancer and wanted to start a new chapter of his life so he went back to work in restaurants tirelessly to compensate the previous years and to establish his own business.

Indeed, after five years of hard work, Tony started his own café’ in Jaramana and was full of enthusiasm because he finally had his own business but his happiness didn’t last long; two months after the opening, the Corona pandemic swept the world causing social and economic deterioration which reflected badly on Tony’s work and he lost most of his savings as a result.

Tony was newly married and was about to have his first baby so he didn’t hesitate to start a new career in order to provide his family with a decent living, he rented a taxi and started to work two shifts a day for this endeavor but the income was barely enough to pay the taxi’s rent and Tony was in desperate need of support.

Now, after the fund, Tony is driving the streets delighted that he has his own taxi that will enable him to restore his independence and provide a good living for his lovely family.

Fady Darweesh is 28 years old, newly married to Salwa and they live in a rented flat in Kashkoul. He was raised in a modest family and had to start working at an early age to handle his own expenses and help with the house demands. He was 18 when he started to work as a house painter, spending most of the day from one workshop to another trying his best to afford the livelihood costs.

In 2014, Fady was called for military service where he stayed for seven years until his discharge in 2021. He tried to return to his old profession but due to the bad conditions and increasing prices, it wasn’t profitable as before and he had to look for another job.

Fady found out that the most suitable thing for him was working as a taxi driver especially since he had no work experience, so with great determination, Fady turned to the Micro project center applying for the taxi project.

Now, Fady is grateful to have this opportunity that will help him start a new chapter in his life to start his own family and improve his living conditions

Kinan had no opportunity to work or do any job for about a decade because after starting his twenties and finishing his education, he was called for military service, and for the next ten years all that he learned about was being a driver because he was appointed during the service as vehicles driver.  

In 2021 Kinan’s brother joined the service so that Kinan could be discharged as being the household only provider and for the first time in ten years he was free to do anything he wanted. He returned to his parent's house to live and to take care of his parents especially since his mother suffered from cancer and went through intensive treatment until she recovered while his father had also suffered a stroke and both of them were in need of medication on a daily base.

Kinan tried to work as a doorman at a hospital and then worked as an employee but the salaries were low and not enough to even cover his own expenses not to mention his parents’ medicine and the living demands.

During his journey to find a proper income he learned about the Hope Center and found out that the only way to improve his living was by applying for his own project so with great faith, he visited the center and applied for the taxi project considering his long driving experience during his service years.

Now, after being supported to have his own taxi, Kinan is very grateful because, after all those hard years and the miseries, he has the opportunity to work independently and improve his living conditions. 

Like most young men of his age, Elias Al-Mezel had to start working from an early age to help his parents with the living demands.

He is 26 and lives with his family in his grandfather's house in Al-Dwalaa, his father was working as a shoemaker but he started to suffer from Asthma in addition to other health issues that made him unable to work. on the other hand, his mother’s health was also in bad condition which forced Elias to start working at the age of fifteen in car maintenance with his uncle in order to handle the huge responsibilities and his parent's medication costs.

During wartime, the maintenance work faded, so he worked as a warehouse keeper for five years until 2020, when the economic condition worsened and the salary became not enough to match the livelihood demands he quit, Elias started looking for other sources of income but most of the jobs he found were for low wages, so he started working as a private driver hoping to enhance his financial situation.

Elias was trying hard to earn as much as possible but without having his own car, he couldn’t get a decent income to meet the basic living needs and was in need of support to have his own project.

With the help of Hope Center, this determined young man was supported to purchase his own taxi hoping that it would form an opportunity to provide him with a better and sustainable income to improve his conditions and ensure a decent living for his family.

Caroline is a 27 single woman who lives with her parents and her brother Fady in Kashkoul, Damascus suburb, she was raised in a united family and learned that all the family members should work to support each other through the good and the bad.

Caroline‘s father worked in tiling for most of the day and her brother Fady started working as a hairdresser but they both couldn’t afford the house demands so Caroline had to work as a secretary in the morning and as a nail beauty artist in the afternoon to support her family.

She loved the beauty profession and became passionate about it but she was unable to have her own salon and was going to customers’ houses to do her work; It was so tiring for her which made her father feel guilty for his children because they had to work hard to support him through these deteriorating conditions.

Caroline’s father had a small shop in the market and was preparing it with the hope that one day Caroline and Fady could transfer this shop into a beauty center where they could work together; Fadi as a hairdresser and Caroline as a nail beauty specialist so they could have their own work.

With the help of the Hope Center, his dream was achieved as Caroline and Fady were supported with the hairdressing tools and equipment in addition to the nail beauty kit to support this united family to establish their own career in order to improve their living and secure a decent future.

In the blink of an eye, Rashid turned from a dreamer teenager into a man burdened with worries and responsibilities. Rashid was the only brother to four sisters and was living happily with his family in good financial condition and many spaces were open in his way.

All of that vanished at the age of sixteen when his father got sick and needed long intensive treatment that forced them to sell the house, and the car and spend all the savings for this purpose which unfortunately ended with his father's death.

Rashid found himself suddenly the breadwinner of the house and had no time to grieve, he had to work and secure the daily living for his family so he left school and started to work whatever he got in order to make a living.

Rashid started working in restaurants and then in Auto-body painting and in 2020, he started working as a mobile salesman for a percentage which was a tiring career with low income because he didn’t have a vehicle to move around in markets.

Rashid was a devoted man who strived to provide his mother with her medicine and living demands but he was powerless in the face of the current life obstacles.

With great determination, Rashid turned to the Micro-project center applying for the mini-van project and was supported to have this opportunity to purchase his own mini-van which will expand his area of work and give him the opportunity to improve his income and secure a decent living for his family.

When someone has been through terrible trauma and they’re starting a new life from scratch, it’s not easy for them to recover especially if they were living in a post-war period like the case of Yazan Sayegh.

He is 25 and lives with his parents and sister in Kashkoul. Yazan was 18 when the family received the news of his brother’s death during his military service in Aleppo. Such news was devastating for the whole family especially Yazan who had to stay steady for his parents whose health was affected badly as a result.

Yazan found himself at the age of 18, responsible for his family, and had to work in order to afford the living demands. He started to work as a barber and learned about the profession but despite all his hard work, it was hard for him to save any money and establish his own work due to the increasing prices which made him struggle to afford the basic livelihood for his family. Yazan started to think of traveling abroad in order to make a decent career and living but he didn't want to leave his parents alone especially since they lost their first son.

Out of its endeavor to preserve the Christian families in the county, Hope Center supported Yazan in purchasing all the tools and equipment needed to have his own barber shop to provide him with a sustainable source of income to overcome his obstacles and improve his living hoping that this project will help in keeping him in the country beside his beloved family.