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.

Fadi, a dedicated husband and father of two boys, had faced financial struggles for years. After completing his 8-year mandatory military service in 2018, he worked tirelessly, between two jobs to make ends meet. His roles as a factory worker in the solar power industry and a government employee barely provided enough to cover their basic needs, even with his wife's teaching salary.

Determined to improve their situation, he had a brilliant idea; he realized that having a mini pick-up truck could significantly boost his income by enhancing his work at the solar power factory. Unfortunately, the cost of such a vehicle was far beyond his financial reach.

One day, Fadi stumbled upon a poster about the Micro Projects Program, which seemed like a ray of hope. He submitted his application, and it was approved. Today, he proudly owns his own mini pick-up truck, thanks to the program. The vehicle has not only improved his family's financial stability but also brought a smile to his face, knowing that he can now provide a better future for his two boys.

After graduating from the tourism institute in 2012, Iyad had to put his dreams on hold to fulfill his military mandatory service, enduring nine tough years until 2021. Discharged and pushed into the harsh realities of life, he faced the challenges of providing for his family.

With a wife to support and his mother relying on him since his father's passing, he found himself working tirelessly in a sweets shop, laboring 12-hour shifts just to make ends meet. But hope emerged in the form of the Micro Projects Program, a lifeline to a better future.

At 32 years old, without a stable profession, Iyad applied for a taxi through the program. This opportunity marked a turning point in his life, offering a chance to break free from the relentless toil and secure a more stable life for his family. With the taxi, he could provide for his loved ones and also create a path to a brighter future after years of hardships. 

Adib's life has been a series of challenges and responsibilities, he lives with his mother and sister-in-law while his younger brother serves his mandatory military service. As the oldest son, he carries the weight of his family's livelihood on his shoulders. Their financial struggles became even more daunting when his father, who had been battling heart and kidney problems for years, passed away.

Adib has been working as a floor tiler since 2010, but his life took a difficult turn when all his equipment was stolen from a construction site. Unable to compensate for the loss due to his father's mounting medical expenses, he had to borrow from his grandfather and uncle, who could not always provide the help he needed.

The family's situation became harder as they lived in a rented house. He knew that to secure a better future for himself and support his family, he needed his own equipment. That's when he applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the assistance, he acquired the tools he needed to continue his work independently, ensuring a more stable income and the promise of a brighter future for himself and his family. 

In 2015, Malak, his wife Norma, and their three children, Peter, Barbra, and Fadi, were forced by the war to leave their beloved Al-Qameshli and settle in Norma's hometown of Fairouza due to displacement. Life was tough, but Malak, as the sole provider, worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

To support his family, Malak took on a job operating a mini-winch, sharing the profits with a partner. For more than eight years, he honed his skills and gained valuable experience in the field. However, owning his own mini-winch seemed like an unattainable dream due to financial constraints.

Determined to provide a better life for his family, he applied to the Micro Projects Program for support. With the assistance, he finally acquired his own mini-winch. Now, he can work independently, secure a dignified income, and build a brighter future for his family.

Sanaa, a determined young lady, made a selfless choice to support her family. Living with her unemployed father, who suffered from hemiplegia, and her hardworking mother, a seamstress, along with her brother, life was far from easy. In 2019, she enrolled in a makeup training course, embarking on a path that would change her life.

With her newfound skills, she began working at a local salon, offering a range of beauty services, from makeup artistry to nail care. Her dream was to work independently and provide a stable income for her family.

Sanaa's opportunity came when she applied to the Micro Projects Program. Her heartfelt desire was to acquire her own kit, allowing her to work by herself. This initiative not only fulfilled her dream but also transformed her situation, bringing hope and stability into her life.

Toni, originally from Aleppo, honed his car calibration skills from a young age, working alongside his father in their workshop. His expertise deepened during his military service in 2014, where he served as a driver, practicing the craft in the industry area of Damascus. His service extended to nine years due to the ongoing war. After completing his duty, he returned to Aleppo, resuming his profession until a devastating earthquake struck, leaving his house in ruins.

Miraculously surviving with his wife Mary and their baby boy, they relocated to Fairouza village in Homs, seeking refuge in Mary's parents' house. 

In the midst of adversity, Toni applied to the Micro Projects Program, hoping for a fresh start. Fortunately, his project was approved, offering a glimmer of hope. Now, in a new chapter of his life, he is ready to work hard and secure a better future for his son, Christian, along with his family, which faced the challenge of rebuilding their lives after losing everything.

Living with his parents and sister, Majd's family endured displacement and the theft of their home during the war in Homs. Despite the hardships, he pursued his dream of opening a dental clinic in Fairouza village.

His mother's battle with Neuropathy, which began eight years ago after an extended ICU stay, added to the family's struggles. His father, a university professor, did his best to support the family, but financial constraints prevented them from aiding him in launching his own clinic after he graduated from the faculty of dentistry in 2022.

Majd applied for the Micro Projects Program, seeking assistance to fulfill his dream and had the chance to attend micro-project management training at the HDISC. Equipped with new skills, Majd meticulously prepared a study and submitted it to the Micro Projects Program.

With the support of the program, he has established his own dental clinic in Fairouza village, providing essential care to the local community. Majd looks to the future with optimism, grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around him.

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.

A creative, hardworking, and determined woman is the least that can be said to describe Ramia Rezeq. This 41-year-old lady sacrificed most of her life years working to support her family.

Ramia started working in 2007 in a stationary store in Jaramana, because she always believed in being independent and responsible for her living, but when her family started to face financial hardships during the years of war she didn’t mind working harder to support them and together with her sisters they shared the responsibilities of taking care of their sick parents.

Ramia herself had also a critical health condition; as she suffered from disc herniation, dorsal, and cervical discs, in addition to a twisted vertebra but she tolerated all that pain and kept working to preserve her dignity.

In 2019, Ramia decided to follow her real passion in handicrafts so she decided to do handmade pieces and sell them which turned out to be really profitable, but her poor financial condition prevented her from expanding the project so she applied at the Hope Center asking for support.

During that period, her father’s health deteriorated and he needed a lot of care and costly medication which ended sorrowfully with his death. This great loss affected Ramia and her family, but she kept insisting on following her endeavors of having her own project which was achieved as she was supported to have her own handcraft project to allow her to prove her skills and have a sustainable source of income to enhance the family's situation.

Basil Kasoha is a young man in his thirties, who has been burdened with the worries and responsibilities of a harsh life for years.

At the beginning of the Syrian crisis, he was called for military service, in which he spent 9 years of his life, and was full of pain and difficulties, especially in 2012, when his father was martyred, leaving the family heartbroken and sad.

In the year 2020, Basil was discharged from military service and returned to his home seeking to have a new start, but unfortunately, he began a new chapter of suffering in his life, especially since he proposed to a girl, hoping to start a family with her. However, with the harsh reality of living in Syria, as despite of all his efforts, he barely could afford to buy the simplest necessities for his new home without being able to save any money for his marriage.

During the past three years, Basel worked hard as a sales representative, merchandise distributor, and pick-up driver, trying his best to provide as much income as possible to support his family.

He was alone in the face of all challenges but kept his strong will and determination to improve his reality.

This self-made young man deserved the support from Hope Center to buy a pickup car as his own project that would help him obtain a greater income in the hope of improving his financial circumstances and helping him get married and have the family he dreams of.

Ibtisam Haddad began her career in the cosmetic field in 2010, after attending several make-up and tattoo courses, she started to work at beauty salons but in 2017 she had her son Milad who was born with Down syndrome which made it difficult for her to continue working, so she stayed in the house to take care of her son who needed a lot of care and love.

During that period, her marriage deteriorated and she and her husband got divorced which was very tough for Ibtisam because she became responsible for the house expenses in addition to her son’s medication. Ibtisam’s financial condition was very bad and she started to seek help from her family and friends, even her house owner felt sympathy toward her and didn’t take the house rent. She felt sorry for herself so she decided to return to work in order to preserve her dignity and handle the livelihood demands without the need of anyone’s help.

Working at a salon was not useful for Ibtisam because of her son’s condition so she started working tirelessly from house receiving her customers and trying her best to expand her work and get more income but the tools she had were simple and consumed and needed a strong push to move forward.

After applying at the Hope Center, Ibtisam was supported with makeup and tattoo tools in order to improve her home-based work so she could afford the daily living demands and look after her son at the same time.

Maher Aljamal is 41, married, and has three daughters Samira, Sham, and Naya. He lives with his family and elderly mother in a two-rooms old Arabic house in Bab Toma.

Before the crisis, Maher worked as a salesman in a company but during wartime, the company was closed so he started to work in a kiosk selling cigarettes until 2019 when he was called for the military service in Idlib where he was exposed to sectarian disturbances that affected his psychological condition. As a result, after his discharge in 2021, he decided to consider traveling abroad so he went to Lebanon trying to travel to France but his request was rejected while the economic condition in Lebanon was getting worse so he went back to Syria after spending all his savings.

Upon his return, Maher started to work as a driver with Nuns then he rented a car to work on delivering orders to restaurants and shops but the income was barely enough to cover the high car rent not to mention the living expenses or his daughter’s education.

With the help of Hope Center, Maher was supported to purchase his own Mini-van which he will use to transport school students and employees in addition to other orders hoping that this project will form a positive shift in Maher’s living conditions.

With great faith and a smile, Rabei Marta faced all the misfortunes in his life, trusting that God wouldn’t let him down.

The 32-year-old man lives with his mother and brother in a small modest flat in Jaramana, his father passed away when he was still a child and he had to share the responsibilities with his brothers from a very young age.

At the beginning of the war in 2011, Rabei was called for military service where he spent nine hard years that left him injured and broke.

However, Rabei didn’t hesitate after his discharge from service to start working immediately because his elder brother Maher had been exposed to a Cerebral hemorrhage that affected his movement ability, so Rabei had to take care of Maher’s family especially since he had special needs child that needs a lot of care and medication, while his other brother Ramy has also had to undergo heart surgery and needs daily medicines which made him unable to do any hard physical work. 

Despite all the calamities, Rabei worked hard at a private company in packaging aid kits and distributing them, but the income was barely enough to cover his daily expenses leaving him with little to support his brothers. Rabei didn't lose hope and decided to apply at the Micro project center for the Pick-up car with an idea of using it in delivering products and goods.

Supporting Rabei to purchase the pick-up car was the best that could be given to this fighter who was holding such great responsibilities and at the same time thanking God for everything in his life. Hopefully, this project will provide him with an opportunity to increase his income and improve his living conditions.

For a man who spent more than ten years of his life in the military service, living a normal life was all that Azeez Wassouf was seeking.

He is 31, originally from a small coastal village called Al-Khrab, where he spent his childhood and started his career as a barber until the Syrian war began and he was called for military service spending the next decade in the service dreaming of going back to his old life and having the chance to establish his own family.

Azeez was discharged from the service in 2020, but his dream of having a normal life was further than he expected because the country was going through an economic crisis and his hometown village was suffering from a lack of job opportunities so he had to move to Damascus, the capital, looking for proper job and better income.

Azeez wasn’t lucky to find such an opportunity because his long service prevented him from learning any profession or improving his career so he found no solution but to rent a taxi and start working as a taxi driver to save as much as he could and soon after, he met his first love and decided to defeat all the challenges and marry her to have the family he dreamed of.

The couple started to work together along to secure their living which wasn’t an easy mission during the current circumstances but with the help of Hope Center, Azeez was supported to have his own taxi which would provide him with a sustainable source of income to secure a decent living and ensure a promising future.

Although Michel was always from the A students of his school, he had a passion for making sweets, that is why after he finished the baccalaureate, he registered at the engineering institute and in the afternoon worked in a sweets shop to gain experience and do the job he loves dreaming of having his own project in the future.

With the beginning of 2011, Michel was called for military service and had to pass through severe circumstances for more than three years during the service until he was discharged.

Michel went back home and found out that his father was suffering from several health issues that prevented him from working and the financial condition of his family was very bad so he put his dreams aside and started working two jobs a day just to afford the basic living demands in addition to his father’s medication.

The tough days that Michel witnessed had created a strong man that is willing to do his best to live in dignity without being in need of anyone but no matter how long hours he spent at work, the increasing costs of living were defeating him and he was in desperate need of having his own source of living.

With the help of Hope Center, Michel was supported to have his own sweets and shakes shop in Jaramana, giving this determined man the chance to achieve his endeavors in having the project he was dreaming of hoping that it will also help in securing a decent life for his 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.