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.

Aghiad's journey from hardship to success is one of hard work and determination. After his parents' passing, he chose to stay with his sister, while their siblings sought opportunities abroad. A twist of fate struck with a knee injury from a car accident, creating a need for surgery that he couldn't afford. Undeterred, he took on a job as an accountant, in a restaurant and then as a teacher in an NGO, struggling to make ends meet.

His path to success wasn't paved with ease and he thought of having his own project. However, before embarking on his journey, he decided to gain the necessary experience by working at a well-known pizza shop for a year then turned to the Micro Projects Program, a lifeline that transformed his life.

Aghiad envisioned a Pizzeria in the city of Homs, introducing a unique concept of selling large pizza slices. With strategic planning and program support, he secured a good location, equipped with a solar power system and essential tools. Today, Aghiad realizes his dream, passionately selling delicious pizzas, not only securing his future but also creating a story of achievements against hardships.

Hala, a wife and mother of four daughters in Qattinah village, faced the challenge of supporting her family as her husband battled health issues requiring joint replacement surgery. 

With determination, she utilized her skills, working tirelessly at her hair salon for over 5 years. Recognizing the potential to expand her small business, Hala's daughters joined her in the salon, and she pursued additional training in nail care and makeup.

Eager to transform her project into a thriving beauty salon, Hala applied to the Micro Projects Program and received a nail care kit and makeup essentials, turning her dream into reality. Now, as the sole provider for her family, her salon flourishes, offering a broader range of beauty services. 

This support not only enhanced her business but also empowered Hala to secure a brighter future for her daughters.

In the village of Qattinah, Vivian and George's life took a heartbreaking turn during the ravages of war. George, serving his mandatory military duty, fell victim to a cruel explosion, robbing him of his sight. Vivian, now the family's sole provider, possessed a talent for nail care. 

Yet, life's hardships continued and lacking the essential tools for her craft pushed her to borrow from a friend to serve her clients. The burden of a rented house further strained their fragile situation. Determined to achieve self-sufficiency, she applied to the Micro Projects Program.

Now, Vivian tends to her clients requests with her new kit. The project not only fulfills the family's basic needs, but also became the hope, illuminating the darkness that war had cast upon their lives. 

For over 25 years, Amer dedicated himself to his profession, wall plastering. Married to Mirvat, with a daughter and a son, he supported not only his immediate family but also his mother and brother, his partner in work. 

Disaster struck two years ago when a construction site fire destroyed Amer's equipment. Things worsened when his essential electric bike was stolen. Unable to afford replacements, he had to rely on friends' equipment for work. 

The Micro Projects Program became a glimmer of hope, offering a chance to save his career. Now, equipped with the tools he needs, including a new electric bike, Amer is back on his feet, moving between construction sites, and securing a better income for his family. The program has not only revived his work but has also restored his independence.

Joud, the only son in a small family, took a leap towards his dreams through the Micro Projects Program. His family lives in a rented house, with his father who works as an employee, his mother managing the home, and his sister, a student in the 11th grade.

Armed with a dentistry degree in 2022, he dove into the workforce immediately, joining a dental care center due to financial constraints preventing the family from opening a private clinic. The Micro Projects Program became his beacon of hope. Eager to serve his community, Joud seized the opportunity and applied for support to establish a dental clinic in Kafr-Aya village in rural Homs, known for its high population.

This venture not only allows him to practice his profession independently but also empowers him to support his family, fulfilling the aspirations that once seemed out of reach. 

Najah's husband passed away 9 years ago leaving her and his sister as providers and supporters for his three children. her eldest son had to leave his studies and work due to their hard financial situation, while her daughter works at a hair salon and at the same time studying at university, and her youngest son traveled to Erbil. 

Back to the war period in 2011, Najah and her family were displaced from their house in Homs to Rabah village, in 2014 she started working in a local sewing workshop there where they stayed until 2018. In 2018, they returned to their home in Al-Hamidia neighborhood. Najah is a retired school teacher, after her husband's death, she had to find another source of income to support her family, at first, she did not have the ability to continue working in her profession as a seamstress because buying sewing machines and requirements was not affordable, until someone donated and helped her to buy an overlock sewing machine so she resumed with her sister-in-law working in clothes repairing at home. However, the main problem she faced was the severe lack of electricity and not having a zig-zag sewing machine made her work slow and exhausting. 

Through the Micro Projects Program, Najah was supported with the needed sewing machine and a battery, which helped her save her time and efforts and helped her and her sister-in-law ensure better living situation. 

Antoine, a dentistry graduate from the Middle Institute of Dentistry of Aleppo in 1994, had seen his life take a difficult turn due to the war in Syria. With a loving wife and a 16-year-old son, he faced the challenge of providing for his small family in a rented house.

Before the war, he had his own dental laboratory in Bab Al-Sebaa neighborhood of Homs. However, the conflict ravaged his laboratory, leaving him without the essential equipment needed for his profession. To support his family, he worked at other laboratories for a meager income.

Dreaming of reopening his own laboratory, Antoine faced financial challenges that seemed impossible to resolve. But then, a ray of hope emerged in the form of the Micro Projects Program. With his years of experience, Antoine deserved the opportunity to regain his livelihood. This support would bring a great positive impact to his family. 

Having a life transformation from stability and security to a life full of dangers and fear is what Marwan and his family have been through during the past years.

For more than 12 years, Marwan has worked at Kabbour company as a private driver, having a good income and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.

However, all of that changed after the outbreak of the war in Syria as the company he was working for was closed, while his house in Kashoul was exposed to daily shelling which forced them to move to his village and take shelter at his parents’ house, but soon after they survived an explosion while his wife was pregnant and the intense fear she felt made her lose her baby, which was a tragic shock for the family.

But it wasn’t the end of their calamities as Mawran was called for the reserved service and was sent to serve in Idlib facing constant dangers daily until his discharge in 2019.

All of those incidents didn’t affect Marwan's commitment and determination toward his family; he started to work as a taxi driver then when he learned about the micro project program, he applied for the taxi project because being a driver is all he had known in his life.

After being supported with the taxi, Marwan feels grateful because this project would be the perfect chance to have a proper income to improve his living conditions and preserve his dignity.

Michel Al-Tarsheh was a happy man, living with his family in a beautiful house in Adraa, Damascus suburbs, having a sustainable income, and enjoying a peaceful lifestyle until 2011, when everything turned upside down.

His first loss began when the armed groups attacked the area they were living in forcing them to flee under heavy shooting without being able to take any of their belongings. After that day Michel’s life changed completely as he rented a small flat in Jaramana for his family without being able to furnish it then he was informed that his house in Adraa was destroyed and all the furniture was stolen. His wife was diagnosed with cancer as she had to go through long and costly treatment that left Michel broken and ended with his wife’s death, the loss that affected him deeply. 

Michel found himself a widower in his sixties, responsible for his disabled daughter, working hard for long hours to put food on the table at the end of the day, he felt desperation sneaking into his heart but his strong faith led him to apply for the taxi project at the Micro project Center in Damascus.

Supporting Michel to have his own taxi not only provided him with a sustainable source of income, but also had a great impact on his mental health as he felt once again that he was productive and able to secure a decent living for his family.

Amjad Doumat's journey is one of determination and purpose, marked by his relentless pursuit of excellence in the medical field. Born in 1992, he embarked on a path that would lead him to become a specialist in otolaryngology.

The newlywed is yet to experience the joys of parenthood, residing in a rented home in Dwalaa. His professional journey began as a resident physician at the Red Crescent Hospital in 2019, following two years of service at a medical center in Jaramana from 2017 to 2019.

Devoted to his community, Amjad dedicated Wednesdays at the church to provide medical care to all in need. His commitment to serving others extended beyond his professional obligations, embodying the true essence of compassion.

As a newly married man, Amjad had obligations toward his family as well but within the devastated economic condition of the country, working in the hospital was no longer enough to cover the living expenses. Despite financial constraints, his unwavering resolve propelled him forward and with the support of Hope Center, Amjad's sought for an independent clinic specializing in otolaryngology became a reality, paving the way for the establishment of his own clinic by supporting him with all the required tools and equipment.

The assistance he got played a pivotal role in Amjad's journey, providing him with the resources to realize his dream and secure a decent living for his family.

Salem Al-Zawahra, 31, is living with his parents and brother in an old house in Kashkoul, he started his life as a hairdresser and stayed in the career until 2013 when he was called for military service, during which he was exposed to several injuries that caused him a back disc and infection leaving him with 30% disability and he was discharged from the service in 2020 as a result of his health condition.

Unfortunately, he was discharged during the coronavirus quarantine which made the chances of finding work almost non-existent, so he went to his village and worked with his cousin in grocery because in the crisis years, his family house and land were looted and destroyed by the armed gangs.

However, when the quarantine ended, Salem returned to Damascus and started working as a taxi driver with his brother trying to afford the minimum living demands.

Today he was supported to purchase his own taxi believing that this project is suitable for his health condition and at the same time it would provide him with a stable income to improve his financial condition.

Fadi is one of the skilled, determined men who works for his living and does not accept to lean on others' support. He is 36, single, and lives with his mother and brothers in a rented flat in Kashkoul. Fadi started his life as a plumber and didn’t mind doing any maintenance work to support his family but in 2012, he was called for military service where he spent the next nine years of his life.

He was discharged from the service in 2021 and was looking forward to building a life and a career so he enrolled in a Mobile Phone Maintenance course at a development institution, then he started to work in the field at a maintenance center in Kashkoul trying his best to gain the experience needed to start his own place because the salary he was taking was way far from the daily living expenses.

Thus, when he learned about the Micro-Project center in Damascus, he didn’t hesitate to apply, and considering his strong will, his love to work, and his experience in the field, he was supported with the equipment, tools, and some accessories to start his Mobile-phone maintenance center with all hope that this project will be the first step of building this man’s life and will help in preserving his dignity

Abdo was still in school when the war started, which affected his educational progress leading him to leave school and work at his uncle's goldsmith workshop until 2015, then when the work decreased, he moved between several jobs trying to handle his expenses and support his parents, but in 2017 he was called for military service so he decided to travel to Lebanon to continue working there because his family was depending on his support to survive.

In Lebanon, Abdo worked in the morning as a salesman and in the afternoon as an Auto mechanic and soon he learned this profession and became very skilled in it.

However, during the coronavirus epidemic, the situation in Lebanon deteriorated so he went back to Syria and started working as a mechanic using simple tools, and depending on his circle of friends and relatives to get work requests.

Abdo wanted to start his own Auto mechanic workshop but the high costs of equipment stood against this endeavor so he sought support from Hope Center.

Now, after having his own workshop, Abdo is so optimistic about the future, because he has become independent and able to improve his work and have a better income which will have a positive impact on his living situation.

For more than nine years, Andrea Khoury worked in gold carving workshops, carrying out his work with precision and perfection for long hours daily trying his best to afford the basic demands of living.

Andrea lives with his parents and siblings in a rented house in Jaramana while he and his brother and sister are working and supporting each other to pass through the current circumstances especially since their father suffered from some health issues and had to undergo heart surgery while Andrea himself was also suffering from tendons cut of the hand that affected his ability to do hard work.

Andrea wanted to be independent and establish his own workshop so he applied to the Micro Project program with the idea of starting a small workshop in which he does engraving work, the last stage of goldsmiths’ manual engraving process, benefiting from his acquaintances in the market.

Considering his long experience in the field and commitment to his work and family, Andrea was supported with the necessary equipment and tools to start his own engraving workshop hoping that this project would enhance his living conditions.

Milia Daowd's story is one of love and determination. Despite facing adversity, she embodies strength and compassion, caring for her elderly mother and sick brother while navigating life's challenges as a divorced woman.

Born in 1968, Milia's journey took unexpected turns. she got divorced after a short period of her marriage to find herself as the sole provider for her family. With her father passing away and her mother dependent on her care, Milia's responsibilities grew heavier.

Her brothers, Maher and Hussam are abroad, though physically distant, remained pillars of support. Meanwhile, Samer, amidst his own struggles with schizophrenia, provided emotional support from afar.

Milia's passion for sewing became her lifeline. For 29 years, she honed her craft, working as both a seamstress and an art teacher until her retirement in 2022. Now, facing financial strain and her own physical limitations due to a hand injury, Milia decided to embark on a new journey – opening her own sewing workshop.

With unwavering determination, Milia sought to turn her skills into a sustainable business. Her dream was to not only provide for her family but also to create a safe space where her brother could find purpose and solace amid his illness.

She applied to the micro project for support to purchase two sewing machines aiming to specialize in crafting blankets and linens, a modest yet meaningful endeavor

Today after the fund, Milia stands strong, determined to weave a brighter future for her loved ones, one stitch at a time.

Being a chef’ specializing in sweets and special dishes is all that Colette desires as a career. She is 31, married and has a three-year-old son. She lives with her family in a small rented flat in Jaramana, where she also started her project.

In the beginning, Colette worked as a sales representative in a cosmetic company but in 2017 she decided to follow her passion for cooking so she started to make food and sweets at home using her small circle of relatives and friends to sell her dishes. Her work was so good that she became famous in the neighborhood and started to receive many orders.

Colette wanted to expand her project and receive more orders and had several ideas to add such as events planning and decorating in addition to making wedding cakes and party meals but the equipment she was using was old and not proper to handle such work especially that her oven wasn't working and she had no electricity.

at the same time, her husband's work wasn't good and their financial condition was deteriorating which made Colette project the only mean to overcome the financial difficulties. 

With the help of Hope Center, Colette was supported to renew her cooking equipment and have the necessary materials to expand her project, hoping that this skilled woman would be able to improve her job and have proper income to support her family.

Somar Fallouh is 30 years old, lives with his parents and brother in Jaramana, Damascus suburbs and currently working as a salesman in a clothes store.

In 2014, Somar was called for military service in Aleppo and he served there for more than five years facing dangers and death daily because of the critical security condition of the city.

Despite the dangers, Somar worked after his duty as a taxi driver in order to afford his expenses and send money to his parents in Damascus; as his father was a cancer and heart patient and his mother was looking after him while his younger brother was still studying.

During the service, Somar was injured by three fragments then in 2021, he was discharged from the service and started working immediately as a taxi driver which wasn’t easy due to the high car rent, so he turned to other careers until he found a job as a salesman.

Somar spent long hours at the store trying his best to provide his family with a decent living, but that wasn't enough with the crazy increase in prices making people unable to buy clothes which affected his income majorly.

With the help of Hope Center, Somar was supported to find a taxi which was the only proper source of income that he can do to support himself and his family and secure a dignified life. 

Raghed Farah, 37 years old, is a self-made man who took responsibility for his family at a young age, and even through the nine years of military service, he kept working and covering the house expenses.

He used to live with his family in Al-zablatani area but during wartime, the area was targeted by daily shells in addition to the security incidents so they moved to Jaramana.

In 2011, he was called for military service until 2020 but his service was administrative so he worked after duty time as a mini-van driver, transporting students and employees. However, after his discharge from the service, he got employed as a warehouse keeper and was doing his best to afford the living demands of his family and his newborn baby, but the economic situation was very difficult, and despite all his efforts he was unable to afford his family’s livelihood.

However, Raghed fought for his family right of their simplest needs and sought support from the Micro Project Center in Damascus. 

Today, after being supported to buy his own Mini-van, Raghed is committed to work as hard as he can to improve his income and secure a decent living for his family. 

The 37-year-old Mirna Al-Shehadeh is a talented saleswoman who has been in this field since 2015. She is married to Joseph Al-Essa and has three kids Patricia born in 2007, Nabil in 2010 and Angelina in 2015.

Her husband used to work in electricity maintenance, but during the years of war, his income declined making the family suffer financial hardships so Mirna decided to work and support her husband through these difficult circumstances.

After a while, Mirna found out that she was good in sales and the store owner assigned her to take charge of the work which made her a real supporter of her family and kids.

However, in the past years, her husband’s health deteriorated and he had to undergo heart surgery which affected his ability to work making Mirna the breadwinner of the family which wasn’t possible due to her low salary, but she refused to see her family in need and applied at the Hope center asking for support.

After being supported to have her women's clothes shop, Mirna said:

“Every day, when opening  my store’s door, I smile and feel thankful for this opportunity I was given, because now, I know that I am able to provide a decent living for my kids and secure a decent life for them.”