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.

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. 

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. 

From 2003 to 2022, Ragheb worked tirelessly in various jobs to provide for his family, all with the support of his wife Katia, a dedicated school teacher, the couple have lovely twin boys, who are second-graders.

Their lives took an unexpected turn in 2011 when war started in their hometown of Homs. Forced to flee due to the damage of their home in Wadi Al-Sayeh neighborhood, the family sought refuge in Fairouza village, where Ragheb took a bold step; In 2012, he opened a mini-market, striving to create stability amid the chaos.

For four years, Ragheb and his family persevered in Fairouza. When they returned to Homs, they settled in a relative's house. The hardworking man didn't give up; in 2020, he rented a shop and reopened his mini-market. However, inflation struck hard, making it challenging for him to restock his shelves due to skyrocketing prices.

Recognizing the importance of this shop for his family's survival, he applied for support from the Micro Projects Program. With the assistance, he aimed to safeguard his family's primary source of livelihood.

From his modest beginnings, Wissam's journey reflected resilience and determination. His path to mastering his profession began at an aluminum workshop in 2007. However, his dreams were interrupted by an 8-year-long mandatory military service. Despite the setbacks, he persevered, driven by his role as a husband and father of two young children.

In 2015, the life of this family took an unexpected turn when displacement forced them to leave their village, settling in a rented house in Homs city. Wissam's longed to provide stability for his family intensifie, the opportunity arrived in 2019, as he seized the chance to rent a small shop and establish his aluminum workshop. The initial hurdles were tiring; starting with basic tools and dealing with poor electricity supply.

The Micro Projects Program was a turning point. Recognizing the potential, he applied and secured crucial assistance. With the program's support, he acquired necessary equipment and an electric generator. This boost pushed his workshop forward, enabling him to offer a better life for his lovely family.

Starting as his father's assistant in his plumbing workshop in 2006, their partnership was unfortunately cut short by his father's passing in 2009. Hussam bravely carried on, until the onset of war disrupted everything. Displaced to his mother's village, he patiently weathered the storm until 2018, when he embraced a new chapter by marrying and returning to Homs.

With his growing family, Hussam's job as a salesman at an agricultural company was barely sufficient for his family's needs. Fueled by determination, he left the company to establish his own mini-market. The transition brought hope, but an obstacle emerged; a lack of adequate power for his refrigeration needs, essential for his dairy, beverage, and ice cream products.

The cost of a solar power system was beyond his means. He turned to the Micro Projects Program for support, a decision that transformed his mini-market's prospects. With the assistance, he secured the power he required, ensuring his products stay fresh, and his business flourish. 

Danny, a devoted father and husband, resides with his family in a rented home within Al-Arman neighborhood. In the years preceding the war, he toiled as a restaurant employee until 2009, when his duties shifted to mandatory military service, spanning long nine years. 

Rejoining civilian life in 2015, he returned to the service industry, his lack of formal education and specialized skills limited his pursuit of entrepreneurship. Facing mounting financial constraints, Danny's optimism was revived when he heard about the Micro Projects Program. Hope took root within him, and he applied for a mini pick-up truck through the initiative. 

This vehicle will provide a source of income for his family by facilitating goods transportation. Given his circumstances, the project was an opportunity for self-sufficiency devoid of a specific trade. With the mini pick-up truck at his disposal, he not only addressed his family's needs but also created a path to financial stability. 

Diaa, a resilient family man, moved to Fairouza village after his parents' demise, seeking solace alongside his two daughters and supportive wife. Leaving Damascus behind, he embarked on a fresh start among his sisters in Fairouza. In November 2022, a small shop became his last resort, where he sold frozen chicken and fish. This modest project, which his wife played a crucial role in, provided their livelihood.

Realizing the significance of a stable power supply, Diaa sought aid from the Micro Projects Program. With unwavering determination, he envisioned expanding his business to include hamburger meat, dairy, and hummus.

 The Micro Projects program came through, blessing his shop with a solar power system and a display refrigerator. Through new energy accessibility, Diaa's ambition illuminated the path toward a prosperous future for his cherished family. 

Georgette's journey through the world of handmade crafts and candle making began in 1993, within the cozy corners of her home in Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood. With dedication, she honed her skills, nurturing her small business with tools, molds, and boundless creativity. However, the onset of a brutal war brought devastation, robbing her of her tools and her ability to work. Adding to her trials, Georgette faced health setbacks, enduring two strokes that impaired her hearing and drained the family's resources.

Despite the challenges posed by war and her health, she was determined to secure her family's livelihood and resumed her craft, weaving candles, crafting baskets, molding ceramics, carving wood and glass, and fashioning artificial blooms from diverse materials. To showcase her creations, she turned to Facebook, establishing a digital presence that attracted attention.

Four years ago, as demand for her artistry soared, Georgette ventured beyond her home, securing a shop in Al-Arman neighborhood. Depending on the aid of her husband and their three children, weaving a collective dream. Yet, progress demanded innovation, she recognized the necessity of modern machinery to keep pace with her evolving craft, her sights set on a laser cutting machine and its accompanying accessories.

Hope dawned when Georgette applied to the Micro Projects Program and her application was approved. The support enabled her to acquire the laser cutting machine, a symbol of progress of her aspirations. Today, Georgette's artistry thrives, powered by innovation, determination, and the unwavering support of her family.

Hala's determination to make a difference in her community was unwavering. With a master's degree in dermatology from the University of Aleppo, she was dedicated to providing the best healthcare. Married to Elie, a hardworking lawyer, and with two young children, Danny and Faya, she had the loving support she needed.

Her rented clinic in the heart of Homs city center, where she offered treatments and skincare's services. But she knew she could do more. 

Eager to improve her clinic, she applied to the Micro Projects Program.With the support, Hala acquired a dermatology microscope, enabling her to diagnose illnesses. Additionally, the program provided a Sterilization Machine, empowering her to perform simple operations at the clinic, ensuring her patients received comprehensive care. The new skin care devices she received as part of the program expanded her services, attracting more clients and establishing her clinic as a trusted healthcare destination.

As her clinic flourished, Hala's passion for her work only grew. The better-equipped clinic meant she could provide even better care to her patients, bringing smiles to their faces. Now, Hala and Elie could focus on nurturing their children's dreams and building a brighter future together.

Yazan and his family have faced many challenges due to the devastating war that tore their city apart. Once living in the vibrant Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood, they lost everything they owned during the conflict. Now, they reside in a modest rented apartment, striving to rebuild their lives from scratch.

He is a devoted husband and father, works diligently to provide for his family. During the day, he serves as an accountant for a local trader, ensuring the financial stability of the business. In the evenings, he manages his small mini-market, which he established in 2019. His close friend, who unfortunately has a health condition that impedes his ability to walk, assists him in running the shop.

Despite its prime location in front of a school, Yazan's mini-market has been adversely affected by soaring inflation. The inflationary pressures have resulted in a reduced supply of goods, affecting the diversity and availability of products in his store.

In an effort to revitalize his mini-market, he decided to apply for assistance through the Micro Projects Program. He hoped to expand his inventory by procuring additional goods, such as a variety of juices, and introducing a freezer for ice cream. Additionally, he aimed to enhance the display capacity of his shop by incorporating more shelves. Understanding the importance of sustainability, Yazan also sought to install a solar power system to operate the freezer efficiently.

With these improvements, Yazan believed that the sales rate of his mini-market would substantially increase. The proximity of the shop to the school would attract a steady stream of young customers seeking snacks and refreshments. The inclusion of new products and the upgraded infrastructure would cater to their needs, ultimately contributing to the growth and profitability of the business.

With the program's support, he envisioned a brighter future not only for his mini-market but also for his wife, Hiba, their two-year-old baby, Rayan, and his beloved mother. The potential success of his business would offer them stability and the means to rebuild their lives after the ravages of war.

Simon comes from a loving and close-knit family who were living in a border village in the countryside of Homs called Alqseir. His father used to work as a farmer and his annual income was enough to provide his family with good living conditions.

However, all that changed with the beginning of the crisis in Syria, as the village of Alqseir was one of the first areas affected by the war according to its critical location on the Lebanese-Syrian borders that witnessed many armed conflicts and forced the citizens to flee out including Simon and his family who left without being able to take any of their belongings and lost everything they had in the village.

They moved to live in the city of Damascus, trying to start over in bad financial conditions which forced Simon to suspend his study and start working to afford the house demands.

He started working in an aluminum workshop and his brother helped him but Simon insisted on his siblings to continue their education while he took the responsibility of taking care of their expenses and handling the living expenses at the same time.

During recent years, Simon became unable to cope with the increasing costs of living so his parents and sisters returned to the village as his father started to work in agriculture but as a worker because he had to sell his land.

Simon stayed in Damascus with his brother working in an aluminum workshop, with a relatively low income, because he doesn’t have his own tools which made it very difficult for him to improve his living or support his family.

With Simon’s determination and the Hope Center support, he got the opportunity to have all the machines and equipment required to have his own Aluminum workshop so that this hardworking young man becomes able to make improvements in his work and personal life. 

Like any loving father, Nabil’s main interest in life is providing his kids with a decent living and supporting them to continue their education and become successful individuals in society, but the incidents he has been through during the previous years made this endeavor difficult.

Nabil and his family used to live in Qalaat Namera in Homs, he was working as a taxi driver and their financial situation was good but during the previous years, their area became insecure and they faced many dangers but he kept working hard to secure his family’s living. In 2019, Nabil discovered that his daughter Eliena was suffering from cancer and her health condition was critical, which necessitated the start of immediate treatment and intensive chemical doses.

He had no choice but to move with his family to Damascus in order to secure her medication but the cost of treatment was more than Nabil could afford so he had to sell his house and car to afford it, and he had to work as a taxi driver with only 30 percent of the profit to secure the daily living expenses.

Nabil was always praying for God to give him the will and strength to continue this life journey with no hesitation to work as hard as he could for the sake of his family.

With the help of Hope Center, Nabil was supported to purchase his own taxi that will help in increasing his income so that he could continue his message in life with independence and dignity.

Tony Shamieh comes from a modest family that all its members had to work and support each other to survive.

For this reason, he had to leave school at a young age and start working as a car washer then he learned to change cars’ oil and the workshop owner depended on him to run his work as he was hardworking and reliable.

however, soon after the beginning of the Syrian war, Tony was called for military service for seven years, later he was discharged in 2020, he went back home to find everything different as his brothers traveled abroad to work while his father was working as a private driver and suffering from a bad health condition.

Tony had to work to support himself and his family but his previous work at the car wash was no longer enough to afford the simplest living demands so he began working as a private driver for Al-Haseeb company selling its products in the markets.

However, no matter how hard he worked, at the end of the day, he was getting a low salary that was not equal to the increasing living expenses, so he turned to the Micro-projects program applying for the Mini-van project which will provide him with a better and sustainable income and help him compensate for the missing years in his life in order to establish a better living.

Like most of the youth of his age, Majed spent the last decade serving in the military service, facing dangers, and losing years of his life without being able to work or gain experience.

Majed Alsweiry is 31 and lives with his Mom in a Kashkoul area as his brother is still serving the military in Aleppo and his sisters are married.

Before he was called for service he was working at a Cocktail and sweet shop but during the service period he was a driver which gave him good experience in the field so after his discharge he tried to work as an accountant at a snacks restaurant in Damascus but the income was quite low comparing the increasing costs of living especially since he was responsible for his mother.

With the help of the micro-project program, he was supported to have his own taxi considering his good experience in driving and his long service period, hoping that this project will help him to compensate for the previous years in order to have a decent living.

Ramy Ahwash is 51, married to Maya Al-Messber, and they live in an old rented house in Bab Touma area.

He started working in marketing and sales since 1990 and for 15 years he worked in Al-Nuaimi Company as a sales manager and warehouse officer in Al-Yarmouk camp.

However, after the start of the war in Syria, the armed groups entered Al-Yarmouk camp and spread violence all over the place, which made Rami unable to enter the area and take his stored goods then he was informed that the entire warehouse had been stolen, which made him lose all that he worked for in the last years. soon after, the company itself Went out of business due to the lack of security in the country, making Ramy jobless but he didn't hesitate to change his career and work as a school mentor with a low salary just to provide his daily food.

In 2018, he decided to quit his school work and return to working as a sales representative moving between several companies and looking for a better income but most companies used his sales skills without giving him any percentage of the profits so he felt a great injustice because he was not rewarded with a salary worthy of his hard work.

With great self-confidence, he applied to the Hope Center asking for support to have a closed Suzuki saying:

"I know all the markets, the traders, and the companies, I can sell anything to anyone" 

His vehicle will lead to an increase in income and an improvement in his living.

It is never easy for any woman to raise two daughters alone and look after her old-sick mother at the same time especially during wartime and troublesome conditions, but Randa Kazko was strong enough to defeat all her circumstances.

Randa is 55 years old, divorced, and has two daughters Sandy born in 1992, and Christine born in 1995.

Before the war, Randa was living in Saydnaya with her husband and daughters, she used to work at the monastery in cleaning and cooking in order to support her husband with the house demands, but after the beginning of the crisis, she moved to Damascus with her daughters, learned the profession of nail care and beauty, then she started to work at many salons to gain an experience. Randa was good at her work, and everybody loved her so her work started to increase and she gained many customers daily. During that period, her daughter Sandy got married and had an adorable baby but things didn't work out with her husband so she got separated from him and returned to live with her mother which added to Randa's responsibilities especially since her mother was sick and she was taking care of her and her medication costs.

Randa was doing her best, working at Salons, doing additional work at customers’ houses, and giving training sessions for new trainees. she was aiming to have her own center where she has her materials, tools, and a place to train but that was difficult to achieve during the current conditions so she turned to the Micro-projects center in Damascus asking for support. 

Today, after being supported to have her own Nails Care center, Randa is more than grateful because for the first time, she feels independent and comfortable doing the work she likes without having to share her income with anyone else and at the same time have the ability to improve her job and secure good life for her loved ones.

Louai is a hardworking individual who was raised by his mother in a small, rented house. Unfortunately, Louai's mother had health issues, and she had to cut a part of her foot. She needs another surgery to amputate the other foot because of diabetes, but unfortunately, they can’t afford it.

In 2009, Louai got injured while he was working. The nerve in his hand was affected, and he lost the ability to continue his career with electricity, even after treatment for two years. It was a difficult time for Louai and his mother as they struggled to make ends meet.

Louai knew he needed to find a new job to support his family. He started working with electronics sales in multiple shops for low salary. For years, he worked hard and saved every penny he earned but life was getting harder by each passing day.

With the support to purchase all the supplies he needed by the micro project in Damascus, Louai's shop is now up and running. He is finally able to work and grow his business. He will work tirelessly every day to ensure his shop will be successful and make enough money to provide for his mother's medical care.

Despite all the challenges he faced, Louai never lost hope or gave up. He was determined to create a better life for himself and his mother. His perseverance and hard work paid off.

“I was born with speech impediment, which formed a great obstacle since my childhood and prevented me from doing many things in life, such as completing my education or having a decent job”

With great effort, George was able to share these touching words with us.

He is a 26 single, and heartbroken young man. Since he was a child he had to face difficult obstacles due to his speech disability which forced him to leave school and start working to afford the family's expenses since they are living in the village and suffering hard financial conditions.

George traveled to Lebanon in 2019 where he worked in delivering stationaries to libraries, in 2021, he returned to Syria and started working on an old pick-up car in delivering goods to support himself and his family.

Unfortunately, due to an engine failure, and its high maintenance costs, George couldn’t continue working and had to sell his car at a low price and became jobless.

He tried to look for other jobs but it was so hard for him to work for any employers due to his disability and the only solution that would take him out of this state was to have his private work so he applied to the micro-project program for a pick-up car depending on his former customers and good knowledge of prices and products.

Today, after the fund, George restored an important part of his dignity because he is not forced to work for anyone and face the difficulties he used to have before. on the contrary, he got the hold of his job and life.

"We were displaced from our village in Homs to Damascus countryside, lost our house and work, and had to start from zero in a different place and difficult condition"

This is how Elias summed up his story in the past years of war. 

Elias was living with his wife and kids in a small village called Alqraiteen in the countryside of Damascus, he was working as a goldsmith doing all the stages of gold manufacturing in addition to working as a gold seller.

They weren’t living in luxury, but they managed to live decently, that was blown away with the first years of the crisis as the village was surrounded by the armed gangs which made Elias lose his workshop and the gold pieces he owned. Moreover, during the incidents then they were displaced to Jaramana town in the countryside of Damascus.

 Elias was determined to take care for his family so he started to work at a gold workshop not minding being an employee after all those years of experience because his main concern was providing his family the basic living demands.

His wife also started to work too in order to support her husband within the difficult circumstances they were facing but the increasing costs of living made it very hard for Elias and his wife to cope and they had to look for an alternative solution to improve their living.

With the help of the Micro-project program, Elias was funded with all the tools and equipment to have a gold manufacturing workshop where he could have his own space to increase his work and have better income hoping that this project will be a turning point for Elias and his family.

Fady has always believed that if he wanted to do something, he would find a way no matter how hard the circumstances were.

He is 32, married, and has two little daughters Mira and Mila. He lives beside his parents and younger brother in Al-Dwallaa neighborhood, his parents are retired and his brother is still at university which made Fady responsible for their living.

Fady graduated from Communications High School in 2008 then he got employed at the Ministry of Oil as a guard and at the same time he registered for the first year of Law college seeking to become a lawyer.

He was so determined to work and study at the same time so he could afford the living expenses for his family and continue his education.

Unfortunately, at the very beginning of the Syrian crisis, Fady was called for military service until 2019. These nine years that were taken from his life didn’t prevent him from achieving his goals so after his discharge he returned to his previous work as a guard, had a part-time job as a warehouse guard, and continued his education until he graduated as a lawyer.

Fady wanted to change his career and improve his conditions but he was unable to quit his job despite the low income because he was the breadwinner of the two families and being jobless will affect his situation.

However, he never made excuses for his poor situation and was always trying for the best so as soon as he heard about the micro-project program in Damascus, he applied for the taxi project which he considered a direct source of income that will help in improving his living condition and be a supported project for any future success in his life.

Being a driver is the only job that Maher has ever known, at the beginning of his twenties, he traveled to Lebanon and started working as a private driver at Al-Fursan organization for Disabled People, his income was good enough to provide him with a decent living, and save some for his future.

However, as a result of the crisis in Syria, his mother and siblings fled to live with him in Lebanon depending on him for all their expenses which majorly affected Maher’s financial situation.

In 2018, the situation in Lebanon started to deteriorate and Maher lost his work with the association and became unable to drive in Lebanon.

Maher decided after all those years to return to Syria where he rented a small house in Altabbaleh area in Damascus and started to work as a taxi driver hoping to restore his previous life.

During that period, his brothers traveled to Sweden and his mother returned to live with him as she was diagnosed with cancer and needed to be under intensive care and costly treatment which was out of Maher’s ability to handle.

With the help of Hope Center, this self-made man was supported to have his own taxi which will help him restore his independence in work and provide him with a sustainable source of income to improve his living condition. 

Wissam had always been a hard worker. It was something that had been ingrained in him since childhood. His parents had both passed away when he was young, leaving him to fend for himself. But that didn't stop him from succeeding in life. After years of working as a sewing apprentice, he had eventually become a work partner in a small sewing workshop.

Things were going well for Wissam and his family until tragedy struck. In 2001, his partner passed away, leaving everything behind to his family. Wissam was left with nothing, not even a part of ownership in the workshop. He had to start from scratch again.

He worked in multiple workshops thereafter, but the salary was never enough to meet the family's needs. It all came to a head when his son was diagnosed with epilepsy and autism. The medical care and medication that his son needed were expensive, and Wissam had to sell the sewing machines he owned just to make ends meet.

It was a difficult time for Wissam and his family. But they never lost hope. Thankfully, the tide turned when he got funded by a micro-project in Damascus, he was finally able to buy all the tools he needed to open his own workshop.

It was a dream come true for Wissam. he had a small house, but it was enough to start a new business and improve his standard of living. With his own workshop, Wissam could now afford to pay for his son's medical care and medication. He felt grateful for the support that he received, and he promised to do his best to make his own business thrive.

Wissam's story was a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. He had gone through tough times, but he never gave up hope. And in the end, things had turned out for the better. He could finally provide for his family and help his son.