Mardiros a young barber with seven years of experience, he lives with his mother and bears the sole responsibility of being the family's breadwinner. As a talent in his craft, Mardiros was longing for the security and independence that came with owning his own barbershop. However, the lack of supportive environment and economic challenges of the country left him hesitant to take the leap. He meticulously calculated every aspect, and despite numerous attempts, he remained doubtful as it posed a significant risk.

Having endured the frustration of earning minimum salaries while working for others, Mardiros knew he needed his own equipment to establish his resilience. Mardiros had an idea to minimize the cost of rent, Mardiros's current barbershop decided to offer him the opportunity to rent a chair in their salon for his own customers. This arrangement enabled him to reduce rental expenses while still generating a steady source of income.

With the approval from the Hope Center, Mardiros received an incredible boost in confidence and support. Finally, he could embark on his journey towards independence. The burst of hope and opportunity provided by the Hope Center gave Mardiros the courage to chase his dreams, ensuring a brighter future for himself and his family. 

Nancy Samaan, an ambitious young girl from Tartous, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts and later relocated with her family to Aleppo. Nancy always had a clear vision of her passion for graphic design and poured her heart and soul into her work.

At a young age, in 2018, Nancy started her career as a graphic designer. However, she soon realized that her previous job didn't provide the opportunities she needed to improve her skills and profession. Determined to grow, she embarked on a new job that allowed her to explore photography, expanding her abilities and opening up diverse avenues in graphic design. She delved into areas like social media content creation and product advertisement.

After gaining five years of experience in the field, Nancy desired to work independently, driven by her longing for financial independence. She planned to achieve her goals step by step and began by building an impressive portfolio of her work, which earned her positive feedback from customers who admired her talent and expressed a desire to collaborate. Nancy leveraged social media platforms to showcase her work and gain recognition in the job market. With unwavering confidence and fearlessness, Nancy's ultimate dream career was to become an interior designer.

However, the unavailability of a laptop became the only obstacle hindering her success; One day, while working from home, Nancy's laptop suddenly stopped functioning due to a surge in electricity, resulting in the loss of all her files and documents.

Standing as Nancy's number one supporter, her mother is immensely proud of her daughter's determination and unwavering belief in her abilities. With the support she received from the CHC team, Nancy regained her confidence with her new laptop and took the first step towards realizing her dream and unleashing her boundless creativity to pursue a fulfilling career.

Elias Zerz, is a skilled electric technician. He learned the tricks of the trade from his father, who unfortunately passed away in 2014. Elias gained over 17 years of valuable experience working alongside his father. Now he works in the shop which his father had established back in 1983, specialized in various electrical services. After the loss of his father, Elias faced many challenges, but with unwavering determination and sheer hard work, he managed to open new doors of opportunity.

Seeking to enhance his skills and elevate his work, Elias realized that he needed to upgrade his tools and equipment, a venture that proved to be quite costly. His proficiency lies in home electricity wiring. He currently shares a home with his mother and brother, who is also studying to become an electrician. 

One obstacle that continues to hinder his progress is the outdated equipment he currently has. As the sole provider for his family, Elias primarily relies on his own efforts, occasionally receiving assistance from his brother. Elias is always eager to utilize the latest technology and tools in his work, such as an electricity generator. This would greatly benefit him, especially when he travels to rural parts of Aleppo where access to electricity is non-existent. With a reliable generator by his side, Elias would be able to work at a faster pace and fulfill the electrical needs of those remote areas.

After receiving approval from the Hope Center, the aid has alleviated numerous challenges and provided a much-needed boost to Elias's determination. This support enables him to continue striving for excellence in his craft and fulfill the responsibilities he shoulders for his family and the communities he serves.

George Shahda is a hardworking craftsman and a father to two adorable children. His work revolves around a unique concept in the domain of event planning and decorations. George used to have a shop in Homs where he began his initial work, but he had to sell his father's workshop to move to Aleppo for university. During the war, he relocated to Lebanon, where he continued working in event planning and decoration.

George strongly believes that with creativity and hard work, anything is possible. Despite the impact of the war on Aleppo's economy, George refuses to be limited. His specialization lies in crafting decorations, such as display stands, backdrops, and table decorations. He works with a variety of materials, including wood, paper, mirrors, foam, and resin, with wood being his primary choice.

For three years in Syria, George initially relied on carpenters for required work, but he eventually realized that he preferred to handle everything on his own. Thanks to the Hope Center, George was able to save time and become more self-dependent, which will help him improve his income and secure a better life for his lovely family.

Antoine, an optician specialized in eyewear lens making, has garnered extensive experience over the years. He is an incredibly optimistic man, brimming with energy and enthusiasm. His work holds immense significance for him, as he takes great pride in delivering his work with utmost precision, striving to ensure that it is free from any errors. Since 2000, he has been operating his shop, situated in a mid-density area. While the location might not attract a high volume of foot traffic, Antoine's reputation has managed to draw in customers. Prior to opening his own shop, Antoine had worked at a renowned eyewear company called "Abd el Samad" in Aleppo, where he honed his skills.

Like every Syrian, Antoine experienced loss during the war years. His wife, a retired teacher, resides with him and their son, Fadi. Their older son and daughter had left the country and traveled abroad. Antoine's aspiration was for Fadi to learn the optician profession, passing down his knowledge and experience to his son. By doing so, he hoped to encourage Fadi to stay in the country, establish a stable income for himself, and contribute to its growth.

In 2014, a tragic incident occurred that disrupted Antoine's plans. While attempting to start the machines by running an electricity generator, an accidental electrical mishap caused a fire that destroyed his entire shop. The situation was terrifying, leaving a deep scar in Antoine's memory that he still carries to this day. As Antoine grows older, he finds himself confined to his house, grappling with a sense of purposelessness that has taken a toll on his mental well-being. However, despite all the misfortunes, Antoine's optimism shines through. His infectious smile continues to fill the room, even in the aftermath of such hardships. 

With the support Antoine has received, he has finally found his rightful place, indulging in the very thing he loves and, above all, ensuring the well-being of his family while guiding his son. In moments when hardships weigh heavily on our shoulders, recovery and resilience pave the way forward. It is for this very reason that Antoine believed in these principles and got the appropriate support to help him overcome any obstacle thrown his way.

Jan lives with his parents in their modest house. The father is an employee working at Al-Kalima Hospital, and the mother is a housewife so he is the only provider of income for the family

Jan’s family has been through a lot in the past 10 years; during the war his father got hit by a shrapnel in his waist and a shell hit their building’s roof but, thankfully their house was only slightly damaged. Then his mother got severely infected by the coronavirus and after her treatment she was no longer able to open the shop.

Jan’s career begun as an electrician, he worked in this domain for more than four years but his income started to drop due to the harsh economic conditions that were impacting the city thus he was forced to change his profession. 

He decided to become a videographer and started learning the profession by working with several videographer, and now he can work on more than four types of cameras.

After he has been funded, Jan is ready to start fresh after having his own computer and camera. 

Ebrahim’s life hasn’t been easy at any time, gaining money has always been hard; he had to change his job several times because of the poor economic and living conditions. Ebrahim is the only breadwinner for the family, he lives with his wife, son and daughter in the family’s house.

During the war, the family was displaced for four years to Latakia until the area settled and as a result of the earthquake, their house was damaged and they were evacuated

He started his professional career as a furniture sprayer and worked there for two years, then went to military service for other two years, from 1991 to 1996 he worked in a grain factory, after which he worked for a year in furniture spraying, After that for 18 years he worked in the field of spare parts. 

During the family stay in Lattakia, he worked in a plastic siphons factory, and after their return to Aleppo in 2019, he returned to work in the field of spare parts and returned to his main profession; furniture sprayer as a worker; but because of the shop owner’s travel he remained unemployed. lately, he has been working in a factory in the Sheikh al-Najjar area.

Ebrahim has had enough of being a worker during his life and now, after he got the approval from Hope Center, he utilized his empty house which was affected by the earthquake for his work, now he can provide a better income and livelihood for his loved ones.

Patricia's dream is to display her paintings in an exhibition

Patricia’s painting journey began as a hobby to fill her leisure time, however it didn’t take her long to be discovered and recognized by her circle and her teachers have always been her supporters.

Patricia lives in a modest house with her mother (a housewife) and her father who is a worker in a printing press in the Sheikh Najjar area with being the only source of the house’s income. Before the war he used to own a printing press unfortunately the equipment was completely lost and stolen.

She participated in many exhibitions, including an exhibition in Damascus, which had the greatest impact on the request of her paintings by clients, but she did not want to sell because of her desire to create her own exhibition and start working through it. She's planning to homeschool her students; she's got some students ready for the summer.

The Micro Project program allowed her to improve her work by providing the required tools and materials, now Patricia will use her skill to make good income and teach basic painting mechanisms to the interested and talented students. 

Amal lives with her mother and sister. Her father (who is separated from the mother) is not responsible for them.

In 2013, they were displaced from their home more than once because of the war and the high rental prices. Her sister, is currently an employee and her mother is a housewife.

Amal started her career by working for several companies, then she took a nail art course and after that she started working at a Beauty Center for 3 years and left work there due to long working hours and little salary. Then she went to work for three months doing manicures.

After working in several centers, she resigned and allocated her room for work and bought a simple kit. Lately, the shortage of the needed tools has become a major obstacle. So, she started working with gelish, eyebrow tattooing and skin cleansing. She has clients and became well known.

Amal wants to open her own workshop at home and through the Micro-project, she will be able to provide a good income for her family.

“Working from young age helped me gain experience and become a successful craftsman” 

Garo is a single man who lives with his parents and his brother who helps him provide for the household.

Garo started working in a goldsmith workshop back when he was only fifteen years old and he liked this profession and decided to continue in it. In 2010 Garo and his brother took over their father’s workshop to increase their income and gain independence, gradually they equipped the workshop with all the necessities but they were missing one of the most essential machines in their line of work, which led them to need other workshops in order to complete their work, but this dependency cost them a lot of money that’s what made them seriously think of a fast and secure way to provide that machine.

Thanks to Hope Center, now Garo and his brother have the needed machine which helped them reduce their expenses to the bare minimum and now they save a lot of money which enables them to fulfill their family’s needs and daily expenses.

“Life is full of difficulties, but these difficulties are strengthening me” that’s what Majda said, when she summarized her life.

Majda is 58, she lives alone. She has been working in the field of sewing in so many professional workshops from young age and her journey have started from being a worker for several years all the way to opening her own business. Due to her health condition (knee joint problems) she needs is flexible working schedule.

Her earnings were slightly decreased after she prioritized her health over her work and decided to work part time, because she needs rest which is nearly impossible if she stayed as a worker.

Like many other strong women, who know nothing but relying on themselves. She found the solution in opening her own business at home. She will take work from the workshop she used to work with and some acquaintances.

Today, thanks to the funding from the donors, Majda bought the essential sewing machines that saves her time and effort.

Sarkis lives with his wife and his mother; his wife is an employee at a school but soon she will take maternity leave because she is pregnant, his mother is a caregiver for an elderly woman.

Sarkis’s profession is car tuning, he started as a worker back when he was in his early twenties in the Bustan Al-Basha area and stayed in the area until it became unsafe and he had to find another job in a safer region, after a long search he found a job where he is working now.

During the war the family house was damaged by bomb shrapnel and the parish helped them restore it, unfortunately after the earthquake their house got damaged again and they left it and stayed in a church hall. When they returned home, they had to face yet another shock as the house was robbed.

The responsibility of becoming a father is huge therefore Sarkis decided to rent a workplace because he wants to gain independence and take care of his family’s everyday expenses and his newborn baby’s needs.

Shadi dutifully served his mandatory military service from 2012 to 2021, a period that took away nine precious years of his life. But the scars ran deeper than time. In 2013, during his service, he fell victim to an armed group's kidnapping, causing a terrifying year of captivity. To secure his release, his family borrowed money, a debt they were still repaying today. The day he was freed from captivity felt like a rebirth, and his heart was full with hope for a brighter future.

Shadi had dreams of a career in computers based on his studies at the computer institute, but the nine years of absence made job opportunities almost impossible for him. His hope rekindled when he applied to the Micro Projects Program for a taxi. To him, this was a lifeline, a chance to have a new start.

With his taxi, Shadi embarked on a journey towards independence. He was determined to leave the shadows of the past behind and build a better life for his family.

Akram, a resilient young man, found himself displaced from his home in Bab Al-Sebaa due to the brutal war. Alongside his parents, they navigated through several neighborhoods in Homs before finally settling in Al-Hamidia, renting a new home. In 2019, Akram ventured into the world of printing, advertising, and promotion, learning essential skills from YouTube and honing them through practical experience.

By 2022, he relocated his project to a vibrant neighborhood near the university, expanding its services to include college requirements, souvenirs, and printing. Despite serving the university students, he faced a significant challenge; the shortage of electricity, crucial for his project. 

He heard about the Micro Projects Program, encouraging him to prepare a feasibility study. Armed with the experience needed to run his project, he applied for assistance, specifically seeking a solar power system, a new paper printer, and additional goods for his shop.

His determination and entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with the support from the Micro Projects Program, enabled Akram to continue providing valuable services in the area, ensuring the thrive of his small business. 

In 2008, Thanaa's world was shattered when her beloved husband surrendered to cancer after a two-year battle. Yet, this was only the beginning of her struggle. When the war started in her hometown of Homs, her family faced great suffering. Their home in Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood was not only stolen but also burned. The heartache intensified as her son was martyred, and it took two and a half months for his body to be returned to the family. All this weighed heavily on Thanaa, who had endured heart surgery and had a fragile heart.

Forced to seek refuge with relatives, she searched for stability in Homs. The local church stepped in to help her and her sons repair their damaged home, allowing them to return. Today, her son Rawad serves his mandatory military service, while her other son, Danny, suffers from a disc condition, as result of his tiring work in floor tiling. His condition barely allows him to work, further straining their financial situation.

Before the war, Thanaa and her husband ran a modest grocery shop, but it was forced to close its doors due to the conflict. Determined to regain her independence, she began preparing homemade food for sale. 

When she saw a poster about the Micro Projects Program, it rekindled a glimmer of hope in her heart. With unwavering determination, she gathered the necessary documents and a project study, and she swiftly applied.

Thanaa's vision is to open a mini-market, taking into account her age and her son's health. With this small shop, she hopes to create a sustainable income source for their family. This project not only promises financial independence but also the opportunity to have a dignified life.

Louay's life took an unexpected turn when a work-related injury ended his 20-year career in floor grinding and polishing. In 2020, he had to sell his equipment and started a small shop, selling frozen chicken, olives, pickles, and barbecue essentials. This was his new source of livelihood for his wife, three children, and his mother.

But adversity struck again when his shop's freezer broke down a year ago, and financial constraints prevented him from purchasing a new one. The electricity shortages left him without any alternative, as he couldn't afford an electric generator.

His hopes were rekindled when he learned about the Micro Projects Program. He saw it as an opportunity to revive his small business. He applied for assistance, requesting a new freezer, a solar power system, and a meat dicing machine to enhance his project.

With the support of the program, his shop was back in business, offering frozen goods, and fresh cuts of meat, with a reliable power source. He could once again provide for his family and continue to serve his community with the products they relied on. Louay's determination and the Micro Projects Program gave him a second chance to secure a better living for his loved ones. 

Bishara, the sole provider for his wife and three children in Fairouza village, faced daunting challenges when he moved from Al-Aalyat. He sold a part of his land in 2022 to start a new life in Fairouza, but encountered a severe water crisis due to post-war conditions in Homs and its villages. The water grid deteriorated, and strict rationing was applied, forcing families to purchase water for daily needs.

Despite his job as a government employee, Bishara's income fell short of his family's growing demands. He saw an opportunity to use his tractor and water tanker to sell water to his community during these tough times. There was one major obstacle; the worn-out tires of his tractor made it dangerous to operate, and replacing them was unaffordable.

He turned to the Micro Projects program, seeking assistance to purchase new tires and restore his vehicle. This simple yet vital support would enable him to provide for his family and offer help to others in need. 

Reem and Michel, along with their three children, have always called the peaceful village of Qattinah home. In 2016, she embarked on a journey to uplift her family's life. She transformed a humble room in their house into a small stationery shop, determined to provide support for her husband, Michel, whose work as a blacksmith offered limited opportunities.

Although her store was modest, lacking advanced equipment like printers and laptops, it stocked essential stationery supplies. Her dedication and hard work shone through as she sought to secure good living for her children.

Recognizing the importance of her efforts, she took a courageous step. She applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance in obtaining the equipment her store needed and resupply its inventory. This support was not just about the shop; it was about safeguarding the lifeline of her family's livelihood and ensuring her children's dreams had a chance to flourish.

With the Micro Projects Program's help, Reem's small store blossomed, providing not only for her family but also offering great services to their entire village. 

With a passion for floral artistry dating back to 1998, Jawhar worked for various florists until 2012, when he realized his dream by opening his own shop in Al-Hamidia. However, the onset of war forced him to close his beloved shop. Undeterred, he reopened in Al-Arman later that year, only to face adversity again as half of his equipment became unusable.

Living as a single man with his mother, Jawhar faced the challenge of constantly needing to renew his decorating equipment. The soaring prices of artificial flowers, stands, and wooden decorations made it increasingly difficult to meet his customers' demands.

Fortune smiled upon him when a friend in the same field introduced him to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, Jawhar was able to acquire the latest decorating essentials. Now, he can provide his customers with fresh and unique designs, free from repetition. 

Labeeb's life took a tragic turn when war ravaged his neighborhood, Bab Al-Sebaa in Homs, leaving his family displaced and their home in ruins. A once working floor tiler, saw his livelihood crumble as his essential equipment was stolen, and he couldn't afford replacements. Undeterred, he borrowed tools to continue working, but the lack of electricity further complicated his situation.

For over two decades, his craft had been the cornerstone of his family's living, providing his wife and two beloved daughters with a dignified life. Despite the adversity they faced, he has always had hope for a fresh start.

That opportunity arrived when he applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the support, Labeeb aimed to regain the essential equipment and regain his independence. It was a chance to breathe life back into his beloved profession and secure a brighter future for his family in their rented apartment in Al-Adawia neighborhood. 

Anas, a determined young man, faced numerous challenges on his journey to success. Leaving school since the ninth grade, he entered the worklife to support his family consisting of his parents and sister. He tirelessly worked at various pastry shops, gathering valuable experience over the years.

In 2022, he realized his dream of opening his own pastry shop in Al-Adawia neighborhood. Despite the initial hurdles, he managed to purchase all the necessary equipment with the help of some relatives. Unfortunately, the cost of an electric generator remained out of reach, as he was struggling to repay the shop's debts.

Facing rising rental costs, Anas relocated his shop to Al-Hamidia neighborhood in 2023. However, the persistent electricity shortage continued to hinder the productivity. 

He applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance, and his prayers were answered. He received an electric generator. With the newfound power source, Anas and his family now work together more efficiently, ensuring the success of their small business.

Anas's hard work and the support he received have allowed him to provide for his family independently, hoping for a better days to come their way.

Mahasen, a young and creative graphic designer, has always been known for her unique style in crafting souvenirs. With four years of experience, she specializes in transforming her sketched characters into beautiful small figures. Mahasen, who works from her home, balances between her artistic passion with her role as an employed architect at a company. She lives with her parents and two sisters in Al-Sabeel neighborhood in Homs.

However, she faced significant challenges that hindered her work. Her laptop's decreasing capacity couldn't keep up with her demanding tasks, leading to delays in delivering her projects to clients. Moreover, the big issue of power shortages in Homs, made it even harder to meet deadlines. Her digital drawing panel, a vital tool for her craft, also became worn out. 

In an attempt to overcome these obstacles, Mahasen applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, she received a brand-new laptop, a reliable battery, and a new digital drawing panel. These essential tools not only rekindled her creativity but also allowed her to support her family during these challenging times.

Fadi's life took a drastic turn due to the war in Homs. Forced to flee Al-Hamidia, his family settled down in Fairouza village. Fadi, once an employee in a quality control department, lost his job in 2011 when the war disrupted everything.

For years, he moved from one job to another, just to make ends meet. His determination led him to learn the gypsum board craft in 2020, where he mastered the skill. His engineering institute degree and AutoCAD experience further fueled his ambition, but the lack of equipment held him back from independence.

In 2023, Fadi decided to change his destiny. He applied for the Micro Projects Program, hoping for a chance to get his equipment. With this support, he could finally take control of his life, work independently, and provide for his family. 

Hadi, a devoted husband to Minas and a loving father to their baby boy Toni, faced financial challenges living with his family; his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces. His journey began when he completed his 10-year mandatory service and ventured into the world of floor tiling alongside his brother, despite having no prior experience.

Dreaming of a brighter future, he aspired to create opportunities for his family. However, his limited financial resources were a constant hurdle. Then, a friend introduced him to the Micro Projects Program, a beacon of hope.

He seized the opportunity and applied for a mini pickup truck, a project in itself. With this vehicle, he could transport and distribute goods, promising a steady income for his family. It was a small yet significant step towards achieving his dreams.

As Hadi embarked on this new path, his determination and the support of his loved ones would be the driving force behind his journey to provide a better life for Minas, Toni, and their big family. 

“It's really unfortunate when you have everything you dream about to wake up the next day and find it's all gone.

We were living in Alzabadani town in prosperity as we owned land planted with walnut trees, a villa with a swimming pool, a carpentry workshop, and a wood warehouse.

My husband was a carpenter and our financial situation was very good, but all of that disappeared overnight and we found ourselves fleeing under bombing and sniping, with only our clothes on, looking for a shelter to stay alive.”

That's how Lody Nakad 57, summed up her story with deep sorrow.

she lives with her husband and three children in a rented flat in Jaramana city.

This shift in their life was very hard for all of them but they had great faith in God so her husband started looking for alternative careers to afford the living expenses while Lody started working at a clothes company as a seamstress specialized in sewing kids’ clothes. She was trying her best to support her kids and continue their education, resulting in her son Shehadeh studying the specialty of orthopedics, her daughter Ranim studying neurosurgery, and her other son Fadi in the third year of informatics engineering.

together, they were trying to overcome their losses but the journey was hard and full of obstacles, especially under the current economic situation in the country.

Today, after supporting Lody with the sewing machines and tools to establish her own sewing workshop, she started to feel that she restored part of her missing life as she has her own independent income that will enable her to have a better living condition and secure her family's future.

Ibrahim could never have imagined the way his life turned out. From being a rock carver for four years, he transitioned into a soldier after he received the call to go into military service for five years.

Serving in the army had been a particularly challenging period of his life, but he had persevered through it.

During his service, he received the sad news that the war had hit their town of Maalola, his family had to move to Damascus till the situation stabilized. After finishing, he rented a small room in Damascus searching for job, he returned to his passion for rock carving; determined to support his family, he worked harder and longer hours to bring home food as he became the sole breadwinner to his parents after his brother joined the army.

The tools he was funded with by Micro-project in Damascus gave him the opportunity to transport his rock carvings across different towns and markets. He no longer had to worry about renting and losing income and can now focus entirely on carving and earning more money to cover his family's expenses.

Ibrahim feels proud of his achievements and is grateful for the opportunity to take care of his family. The tools were indeed a game-changer, paving the way for a brighter future for Ibrahim and his family.

Ranin is a 26-year-old woman, married to Murad Kasuha and they have wonderful kids Pamella and Faydh. Ranin and her family live in a modest small flat in Jaramana and her husband works in a nuts shop for most of the day trying his best to secure a decent living for his family which was quite difficult during the past years due to the economic deterioration and the increasing costs of living.

Out of her loyalty to her family, Ranin couldn’t just sit and watch her husband struggle to afford the daily food so she learned the profession of nail care and started to work at a beauty Salon for two years; it was difficult for her to leave her kids alone long hours a day for low salary so she quit and started to work from her house trying her best to help her husband though the current circumstances.

Ranin gained a lot of experience and she wanted to have her own salon in order to have more customers and improve her income so she applied at the Hope Center to achieve this endeavor.

Today, Ranin is so grateful that she was supported with the necessary materials and tools to have her own nail care salon which will enable this strong lady to stand by her husband in the face of all difficulties and work together for the sake of their kids.

Dania Dabbas, 29, is married and has a two-year-old boy called Fahed, she lives with her husband and son in a small room at her in-law's house in Al-Tabbaleh area because their financial conditions didn’t allow them to rent their own apartment, but Dania didn’t mind that and tried her best to preserve her marriage and handle all the living difficulties with her husband who was working as house painter, doing the best to afford his family’s livelihood in addition to being responsible for his parents' living as they were too old to work. 

Dania realized that her husband was making a great effort but with low income, she was determined to support him in these difficult circumstances so she decided to learn about nail care in order to work and help her husband with the house demands. 

She took a course in this field and started working at her house with very modest tools but she was trying as much as possible for the sake of her family, and when she became good enough to have her own salon, she applied at the micro-projects in Damascus asking for support.

Now, after the fund, Dania was supported to have all the tools and materials she needs to start her business which will be the means to increase her income and lead to improving her living conditions and have more stability.

Thanaa Al-Assas woke up one day to find herself in hospital. She was badly hurt and had many burns but the pain in Thanaa’s body was nothing compared to losing her husband and son Narek in the explosion of the gas stove in their house in 2011.

Thanaa is 48 years old, she was happily married with four children Kivan, Narek, Anjeil, and Anna. Her husband was working as a truck driver and was doing his best to secure his family’s living. However, after that incident, Thanaa lost her husband, her son, and all her belongings, and found herself homeless, lonely, and responsible for three kids who were looking up to her.

She had no time to grieve because she had kids to feed and shelter them, so she gathered her strength and rented a small modest house in Jaramana then started to work whatever she could to afford the daily food for her kids. She didn’t care about taking a job as a school cleaner and also took a part-time job in the afternoon as a saleswoman in an undergarment shop.

She used to spend long hours outside her house working but she couldn’t cope with the increasing prices and living demands.  Supporting this strong lady to have her own undergarments shop was like giving her a new chance to overcome her tragedies and have a sustainable income that would help to secure her a decent living and hopefully improve her life. 

Louba and her family were living in Al-Zabadani village in the countryside of Damascus which was destroyed during the war. In 2012, Louba had to flee with her family under sniping and shooting to save their lives and later they were informed that their house was destroyed and their land was damaged. Her husband had to sell his car in order to afford their living after being displaced. 

It wasn't easy for Louba to start a new chapter of her life especially since they were living in stability and they had everything they sought, their own house, a car, and a land that provided them with their livelihood demands.

However, she had great faith in her heart and didn’t hesitate to start from her small and modest kitchen to work on cooking and making food upon request.

Her beautiful soul reflected on her food and she made the most delicious meals that everyone loved, Loba became passionate about her work and she wanted to expand it so she could be able to take large cooking orders and improve her financial conditions.

Louba was very grateful after being supported by Hope Center, She was able to purchase the cooking tools and equipment that will provide her with the opportunity for more people to taste her delicious dishes.

Josephine Al-Helal is a divorced woman in her thirties, she has an adorable daughter called Natalia and they live with her parents and siblings in Jaramana.

In many cases, divorce can be a tragedy, but Josephine didn’t accept letting her daughter go through any hard times or be deprived of anything because of her divorce. In contrast, she tried her best to provide her with love and care and endured living in a small house with her parents surround her daughter by a close-knit family atmosphere.

However, Josephine’s family was not in good financial condition and they were barely able to afford their living expenses as her father became too old to work and her siblings were struggling to afford their living so Josephine had to work hard and be responsible for her daughter and support her family at the same time.

In 2021 she started to work at a stationary shop, but soon her skills developed and the shop owner trusted her to run the place depending on her good communication skills and her ability to manage the purchasing and selling procedures.

Although she was happy at her work, at the end of the month she was just an employee having a low salary that was not enough to meet the basic needs of her and her daughter.

Today, after being supported by Hope Center to have her own stationary shop, Josephine is working tirelessly for its success, with great faith and determination to secure a stable and decent future and provide her daughter with the best living.

Maria Essa, 36, has always been a self-made woman who worked at an early age to achieve her independence, and even after she got married, she kept working and supporting her husband in the face of difficult conditions.

Maria is married to Jalal Hlaleh who works as a taxi driver and they have two sons, Fadi born in 2012, and Samer born in 2014.  She started working in the nail care field in 2008 and moved between several beauty salons looking for better income and when the situation worsened, she started going to customers' houses to increase her income.

Her husband was working on his own taxi but during the wartime, his work became unprofitable and Maria’s work was barely covering the basic living needs which forced him to sell the car in order to handle the increasing costs of living.

When Maria realized that their financial condition was going down, she decided to go and work in Saydnaya during the summertime trying her best to support her family but with the poor equipment she had, she was unable to expand her work and earn good income.

Maria applied for a nail beauty kit because she was working between several areas and didn’t want to limit herself to working in a specific center and with the help of Micro Projects program, she was supported to have a nail care kit that will provide her with the tools and materials she needs to improve her income and help supporting her family.

Samer Thabet is 50 years old, married, and has two daughters Janet and Mariette. Samer and his family were living in stable conditions because he had a successful career. He worked in distributing medical products and equipment for fourteen years and established a good knowledge of customers and traders which secured a proper living for his family.

However, during the first years of the crisis, medical factories started to close one after another, and people traveled abroad in addition to the lack of imported materials which made Samer’s career no longer profitable like before. 

Despite his long experience in the field, Samer didn’t hesitate to quit his job and look for another one because he had a family to feed and he refused to make them live in poverty or deprivation.

In 2014, he started working at a Plastic products store as a salesperson and did his job with devotion and determination in order to provide his family with the best living available but in the past few years the economic situation deteriorated badly and Samer became unable to afford the basic living demands and started looking for a way to establish his own project to improve his income.

With the help of Hope-Center, Samer was supported to have his own Plastic store based on his long experience in the field and strong personality. Hopefully, this project will be a turning point in his professional life, and will positively impact his income and his family’s livelihood.

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.