Zohrab is a young man who had to face life's hardships at an early age, he left his education and started working when he was only 15 years in mobile and computer maintenance, to help his parents provide the daily needs.

He worked in this domain for about 4 years. He also worked as a vendor in a pharmacy for one year, then as he became 18 he was called for military service. Zohran spent the next ten years of his service in the electronics section, gaining experience in this field.

After the service finished, Zohrab submitted for an electronics maintenance course to improve his skills and follow the fast developments in this domain. He earned the certificate with an excellent degree. But he didn't have a personal laptop, so he started using the one in the clothes shop that he was working for to fix mobile phones.

Due to the hard living conditions, all the family members had to work to provide a decent livelihood, especially after the father passed away due to a heart attack, after all of the stress he went through trying to get a visa for his family, but only the younger brother was able to get the chance and travel to France.

Despite these harsh circumstances, Zohrab refused to give up. Instead, he focused on his goal of initiating his own maintenance work, so he rented a place with the church aid and applied to the Hope Center to purchase the needed equipment to become a freelancer and ensure a better livelihood and more stability of his business. 

Elias the owner of a car mechanics workshop who has been working in this field since 1985, gaining the skills and building good reputation in the industry. For two decades, Elias who is forty now has been the sole provider for his family who depended on him for their daily bread. 

Like any business this workshop was hit hard by the economy, Elias thought it was best to sell it and seek another opportunity abroad, but three months later he came back home regretting his decision but unknowing how to start over now that his business is all gone. Unfortunately, that loss was only the beginning, hardships were about to arise with the start of the war to make Elias' goal to regain his business even harder. 

The devoted man was willing to try everything; he worked in machine maintenance, selling fuel, he even worked as a driver for a private company; a job that turned out to be more dangerous than he ever imagined. While driving on his usual route, Elias found himself a victim of armed robbery and kidnapping that he miraculously outlived.

Losses burdened Elias' shoulders, but they never succeeded in hindering his will to go on. Despite all, he kept knocking on every door he came across and did his absolute best to get the workshop he always desired. 

The micro-projects answered Elias' prayers, and with the funds his long-lost dream of owning a car inspecting machinery drew his first steps on the track of work success and independence.

“Poverty matters when it’s related to the way of thinking, not to the financial situation…”

That’s how Garabet started his conversation…

This ambitious man did not let the hard conditions he faced stop him from following his dream and starting a lovely family, in addition, to initiating a job in Syria after years of living abroad.

Garabet lived in Lebanon for a long time, where he started his career as a sweets and pastries chef. Also, he worked for a Cinematography company, to ensure the family’s livelihood, as he was the only breadwinner for his family.

During this period, he made good money, but unfortunately, the his mother's illness forced him to pay a big portion of his savings for her treatment costs.

Further, he spent a lot of money from his savings on his wedding party, thinking that he would recompensate all those expenses when he returned to his job. But unfortunately, Covid-19 hit the scales, and soom Garabet found himself stuck in Syria with no work and no income.

He had a long experience, and a great amount of resilience within him, so he didn’t give up and bought a mixer and fridge by installments. He borrowed some equipment he needed, as well. He rented a workshop from the a church in exchange of a small cost and started baking.

The taste of his pastries is special, that once, when he didn't have a penny, he borrowed some money to pay for joining a fair, at the end of the fair, he didn’t only pay the money back, he profits exceeded the amount by the double.

Gearabet stilll needs an electric oven, which can increase his capacity, so when Garabet applied to the Hope Center, we were happy to support this persevering man in expanding his work and joining his journey of success.

Starting from scratch, losing his brother, serving in the military for four years, made being the sole provider for a whole family, seem nothing compared to all those agonies for Jamil. 

After he was discharged from the military. Jamil began taking care of his sick father, who was suffering from cancer for several years before losing his battle with illness. 

The death of his father and brother, those who were always supportive of him, caused him a big shock in his life. They used to work together in a blacksmithing, but unfortunately, due to the war, even their rented workshop was lost.

to top all of those struggles, Jamil and his wife, son, and his mother, were displaced from their house because it was in a very dangerous area. 

All these circumstances stole any hope of returning to their damaged house, and their workshop. Jamil had to do anything to meet his family's requirements. He worked as a cleaner, gardener, and salesperson. Later, he traveled for a while to Damascus, but he came back to Aleppo after two years of trying to seek an appropriate job.

After all this suffering, he decided to go back to his main profession, and specialize in manufacturing innovative designs of chairs and tables that were not used before, but Jamil still needed the necessary equipment to initiate such a business.

Applying to Micro-Project was a perfect choice because it’s the best way to receive the support he deserves to be a successful entrepreneur. 

It all began in 2014 when Moses, the father of Kaytana and Hagop, was walking back home late at night, making his way in pitch darkness, and suddenly fell into an 8m deep trench. the most frightening thing was the loss of his sight and knowing that if he would ever be rescued, he is going to be hospitalized to save his injured eye. Help was on the way, eventually Moses was thankful this nightmare ended, but he was still worried about his sight which was heavily damaged and didn't respond well to all the treatments.

For a photographer to lose his sight was devastating and catastrophic. Before the eye injury, he worked with his father in their photography shop, but after the incident his career's future was vague.

It took a lot of determination to get used to living with one eye, but this young man made his mind to save what he still had, especially that due to war he lost his rented house and had to move in with his parents along with his family.

With one eyesight, an old camera, and a lot of determination, Moses made his way back into photography which he was not willing to abandon, but it was extremely hard with the weary equipment. Things were getting overwhelming, but he needed hope to face the challenges ahead and it came in the form of a new camera.

The Micro-Projects initiative was the only way to purchase photography gear and save a career from an evident end. Moses now has a chance to build a better future for his family, a future full of hope.

The 34-years-old Yacoub spent most of his life building a career in car mechanics; from an early age, he worked in several workshops and attended many masterclasses to get acquainted with engines and latest methods, each and every step of the way, he learned new things adding to his growing experience. 

To achieve his goals, this fast-learning man worked in a specialized company which was sadly closed after one year because of the unstable situation in the country, but he did not give up, instead, Yacoub joined a course to focus more closely on car electronics, hoping that someday he will be able to purchase his own car inspection device and set.

Unfortunately, the odds were against him for so long; he had to postpone his dream of independence and worry about making a living from his modest job in a cars' body part retail shop until a good opportunity comes up, and indeed, he found the microprojects program to be the perfect chance. It all came together as his current job gave him the contacts and relations with the market, he discovered how much his income can improve if he obtains the car inspection device while having his first job. The combination of his skills in cars' retail and the inspection device will surely upgrade his lifestyle significantly.       

It is said that a mother spares no means to take care of her family and offer the best for her children and loved ones and sometimes does what seems to be impossible, like Siranoush. 

Siranoush's biggest challenge was the loss of her husband who passed away leaving her behind, to face life alone with no source of income no roof over her head and with the great responsibility of taking care of her disabled.

By the time her husband passed away she had already been through a lot, she had lost her house because of the mortar shells, and moved back in her parents' house and not only she settled in the house where she lived her childhood in but also she went back to practice sewing which she learned from her mother when she was little.

long story short, when Siranoush's financial situation was getting worse she decided to work from home on an old sewing machine even though that machine couldn't operate as she wanted, but having no money to replace it with a better one forced her to stick to what she had in hand.

When the outdated machine started to become an obstacle in the way of Siranoush's small business and started compromising the workflow it became a necessity for her to apply for the micro projects to be able to upgrade her sewing machine, especially that Siranoush's opportunities have increased due to her growing experience and the fact that her daughter also worked in the same domain, which meant that she could provide better job opportunities for her hardworking mother.

Eventually, Siranoush's micro-project turned out to be a family business, where all members of her family can participate in, even her son will help around despite his disability. That way Siranoush will become an independent breadwinner and live in dignity.

Aboud, his wife Huda and his two sons Nicholas and Carlos (12 and 6 years old) live together in the family residence in Aleppo, along with Aboud’s mother Mouna.

At the beginning of war, Aboud couldn’t reach his carpentry workshop in Handarat area, all the roads were cut off and the armed groups took complete control of the area. When dangers of mortar shells became closer and more severe, Aboud took his family and fled to Marmaritta village far from the war beaten Aleppo. 

Eventually Aboud couldn’t stay away from his hometown. So, in 2018 he made the decision of coming back and settling in his parents’ house. In order to financially support the family, he rented a modest carpentry workshop. The problem is that the workshop lacks many important equipment and machines that Aboud can’t purchase on his own.

With your help, Aboud will be able to obtain all the tools to upgrade his production and thus, his profit will increase significantly in the future. 

Vecken has been battling with the hardships of life to take care of his wife and two boys; Garo and Hagop. The war may have ceased in the fighting sense, but its impact on families is still overwhelming. 

Through the first years of war hundreds of shells were falling in their neighborhood, the building in front of theirs was destroyed by one of those shells and their house was severely damaged. Those explosion terrifying sounds affected their youngest son’s physiological health and he has been stuttering ever since.

The financial situation was not good either. Long time ago Vecken was a car mechanic, but for medical reasons he had to quit that field of work. Later he became a janitor at Al-Sharek school. However, the salary is poorly able to support four people during this economic crisis, that’s why Vecken started thinking about finding another source of income to be able to put bread on the table and afford all the educational expenses of his boys. 

The taxi is a life changing step for Vecken, who was happy that he found the type of career that won't interfere with his part-time job, suits his health condition and at the same time will give him a good income.

Albert Gergi is a 45-years-old industrial man, who has 30 years of work experience in Metal lathing.

Albert is married, and a father of Mark; his 15-years-old son. He lives with his family in their house in Al-Serian neighborhood, which was relatively safer than other areas in Aleppo during the war. Unlike Al-Sheikh Najjar where he works. 

While all his relatives have left the country during the war, Albert chose to stay in Aleppo his home town for many reasons; besides being the place where he spent his whole life and loved so much, he also has established his work here and his roots, but most importantly his elderly parents live here and it is impossible for Albert to leave them behind. He is the only one left to take care of them, as one of his brothers lives in Austria while the other is in Sweden. 

Although the family life was stable for Albert, but the business world was not the same. In his domain establishing a thriving business requires a massive capital, Albert made a partnership to be able to obtain the needed machinery. Years went by and he was successful in his job, despite the economic situation which was associated with war, he was financially surviving. But what Albert didn’t expect was that his partner withdrawal from the partnership which Albert can’t afford in this difficult time.

The three months of lock-down due to the Corona Virus, the lack of transportation to the industrial area of Al-Sheikh Najjar (where his workshop is) and the over the roof prices of everything in the market had its toll on Albert. 

Albert applied for the micro projects program hoping that the funding he gets will be a savior for his business because unless he doesn’t take action and find a way to obtain his machinery, he will lose the machines, and that simply means that he will lose his workshop and his life work will be gone to no use. This support for Albert will create a second chance in business and more stability for his family in their foreseeable future. 

Rania comes from a big family, she lives with her mother, both of her brothers and their own families, all in the same household. From early on Rania grew to be an independent, strong woman on every aspect. Her long years of experience in the sewing field enabled her to open her own workshop just before the war started.

Like many people, Rania was affected by the ramification of war. The lack of electricity, the bombing and the bad economics in general forced Rania to sell some of her equipment in order to pay the last salaries of her employees before having to close. Beside the loss of her business, Rania also went through a life-threatening experience when in 2014 she was injured by a falling shell near her house while she was playing with her niece on the balcony, her injuries were critical, luckily doctors removed the shrapnel from Rania’s face and she recovered well.   

The old and small apartment does not suit the large family, That’s why Rania’s brothers will try to move out, this puts all the responsibilities of taking care of her ill mother and the daily life needs on her shoulders alone. 

With determination and hard work Rania is reopening a sewing workshop of her own. She finally bought a part of the machinery that she lacks and now is establishing a good business, taking advantage of her experience, good relations in the business community and the most important the well-known quality of her work. 

Joseph is a graduated architect, but besides his studies he has always been a hardworking and self-dependent man.

His father had lost his workshop and the machinery, and when the family lost their livelihood, Joseph started seriously considering having a full-time job. First, he volunteered with an organization then in 2018 he started working on a laser cutting machine. Utilizing his designer skills, Joseph started making a living by selling architectural models, wooden accessories and many other items. The problem arose when the owner of this machine decided to end their partnership and sell the machine. Joseph would had lost his work because he couldn’t afford to buy a similar machine on his own. 

But Joseph did not give up, he applied to micro project hoping to save his business and indeed he purchased his own laser machine and used his father’s workshop space, and now he is looking forward to have a successful work. 

Fadi, a dedicated farmer and hardworking father, faced a significant challenge in his pursuit of providing for his family. Living in the village of Maskanah, he resided with his beloved wife Riham and their two young sons, Mikhail and Danial. With dreams of a prosperous future, he relied on his farming skills to support his family while also working as a driver in the nearby industrial area.

His agricultural endeavors were centered around his cherished land, adorned with grapevines, olive, and almond trees. These crops held the promise of a bountiful harvest, but their success relied heavily on proper care and regular irrigation. Unfortunately, Fadi's limited financial means prevented him from constructing a crucial water pond essential for storing the necessary water supply.

In 2021, he valiantly began digging the foundation for the water pond on his land, hoping to secure his family's future. However, the lack of financial resources halted his progress, leaving the pond unfinished and his crops at risk. As the scorching summer approached, he grew increasingly worried about the impending drought and the potential devastation it could bring to his beloved grapevines and olive trees.

Determined not to let adversity hinder his dreams, Fadi made a bold decision and applied to the Micro Projects Program. After he heard that this program aimed to empower individuals like him by providing the necessary assistance to continue their projects and improve their livelihoods. Filled with hope, he awaited the response, yearning for a chance to secure the resources needed to complete the water pond and save his crops from the impending dry spell.

The Micro Projects Program approved his application, offering the needed help to continue his project. With the newfound support, Fadi was finally able to complete the construction of the water pond, ensuring a sufficient water supply to nourish his land and safeguard his crops during the sweltering summer months.

Fadi's perseverance paid off, as his grapevines, olive trees, and almond groves flourished under the care of the water pond. The once-barren land transformed into a thriving oasis, providing a stable income for Fadi and his family. With their newfound prosperity, Fadi and Riham could offer their sons a brighter future, filled with hope and opportunities.

Inaam, a married woman and a mother of two university students, has been diligently working as a seamstress since 1995. Despite her efforts, she knew she needed to do more to support her family. In 2000, she took up additional employment to improve her income. Inaam's husband, a retired engineer, suffered from heart disease, adding to their financial burdens.

In 2022, determined to create a better future, she took a leap of faith and opened her own workshop in a rented space. However, she faced a hurdle, the lack of essential machines that were necessary to develop her project. Inaam applied to the Micro Projects Program, seeking assistance. 

Fortunately, her plea for support was heard, and she was granted the necessary support to acquire the required machines. With her newfound equipment, her workshop flourished. Her income improved significantly, providing stability and a brighter future for her family. Through sheer determination and the help of the Micro Projects Program, Inaam transformed her humble sewing workshop into a thriving small business, ensuring a better life for herself, her husband, and their two university-going sons.

Nouha, a resilient young woman hailing from Homs, Al-Hamidia neighborhood, found her life forever altered when the war erupted in 2011. As the conflict escalated, forcing her family to seek safety in a village called Mouzeina, her dreams of education were abruptly halted and she got married there in 2015. The subsequent years brought a series of challenges, but her determination and passion for the beauty field would eventually guide her towards a path of independence and hope.

In the village, she honed her skills in nail care and began offering services from the comfort of her own home. For five years, she diligently catered to her clients. However, as life often presents unexpected challenges, Nouha's marital problems became a heavy burden to bear. Eventually, she found herself separated from her husband, carrying the weight of responsibilities alone.

Returning to Homs city with her young daughter Angela in 2021, Nouha sought refuge within the embrace of her family. Together with her parents and brother, they formed a close-knit unit that provided love and support during this difficult time. To sustain herself and her daughter, she found work at the local church, supplementing her income as a nail care specialist.

She borrowed essential tools, such as a UV device and an electric file, from her sister's now-closed salon to continue her work and found an opportunity at a well-known salon. However, she didn’t have access to all the necessary equipment, which would help her establish a thriving career and grant her financial independence so she applied to the Micro Projects Program.

This initiative offered her the chance to pursue her dreams and build a better future for herself and her daughter. With the support, she acquired the essential equipment needed to continue working and improving her income, giving her the chance to provide a dignified life for Angela.

Layal's life has been a series of challenges, but her determination and passion for the beauty industry have never wavered. For over six years, she has developed her skills in the beauty field, working tirelessly from her home in the Al-Arman neighborhood. Recently, she ventured into nail care and eyebrows tattoo, seeking to expand her expertise.

Despite limited resources, she managed to save up enough money to purchase some essential tools and materials for her business, including a UV device and an electric file. However, her dreams of fully equipping her beauty studio were hampered by financial constraints. As a single mother of two daughters, living with her parents after her separation from her husband, Layal faced numerous obstacles.

Determined to overcome these hardships, she applied to the Micro Projects Program, seeking support to acquire the remaining tools and materials necessary to enhance and expand her project. With the essential kit, she knew she could continue her journey and improve her services. Layal's ultimate goal is to establish her own beauty center in the future, providing a wide range of beauty services to her clients.

With the support of the Micro Projects Program, she hopes to turn her small room in her parents' house into a thriving beauty studio, paving the way for a brighter future for herself and her daughters.

Rami's life revolved around his aluminum workshop, a place where he poured his heart and soul for 15 long years. With each passing year, his skills grew, and his reputation as a skilled craftsman spread throughout the town. However, his dreams were suddenly shattered when severe electricity shortage crippled his ability to work efficiently.

The power cuts were relentless, leaving him with limited working hours and hindering his progress. To add to his troubles, some of his equipment needed renovation. Determined not to let adversity bring him down, he decided to seek help from the Micro Projects Program.

His wife, Randa, was a dedicated school teacher in Fairouza village. Together, they rented a modest apartment and were blessed with a precious 5-year-old son named Elie. Their lives were simple but filled with love and hope. However, the war brought unexpected destruction, rendering their family house in Al-Hamidia uninhabitable. Forced to leave their memories behind, Rami, Randa, and Elie sought refuge in Fairouza village. It was a fresh start, a chance to rebuild their lives.

Rami's journey in the aluminum profession began in 1995 when he embarked on the path of learning. Years of dedication and hard work led him to open his first workshop in 2007. Despite the challenges, he never lost sight of his dreams.

One remarkable skill Rami possessed was his ability to design using specialized software. With this tool, he could bring his clients' visions to life before executing them. His designs were a testament to his creativity and attention to detail, making him stand out among his peers.

The Micro Projects Program approved his application for an electric generator and essential equipment. The news brought joy and renewed hope for Rami and his family. Now, Rami could overcome the electricity rationing and breathe new life into his workshop.

As the generator hummed to life, his aluminum workshop regained productivity. With renewed energy and upgraded equipment, he worked tirelessly to fulfill his clients' demands. The orders poured in, and Rami's craftsmanship flourished once again.

Youssef, a hardworking farmer from Al-Maamoura village, had always strived to provide for his family. With a wife and a beautiful four-year-old daughter, he cherished every moment spent with them. However, life became more challenging when his brother had to leave for Lebanon to find work, leaving behind his wife and her two children under Youssef's care.

Youssef and his six brothers were fortunate to inherit their father's vast and fertile land, which was adorned with almond, olive, and grape trees. These trees held the promise of a bountiful harvest, but the lack of a reliable water source posed a significant obstacle. Youssef had been renting a water tanker to irrigate the trees, which had become a considerable financial burden over time. His dream of nurturing his family and providing for their needs seemed distant.

Determined to find a solution, he applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. Recognizing the importance of well-watered trees for increased productivity, he sought a water tanker that would alleviate the burden of renting one. With his own tractor ready to be used, the tanker was the missing piece in his irrigation system. It would ensure the trees received the optimal amount of water, enabling them to thrive and bear plentiful fruits.

But the significance of the water tanker extended beyond the land. His family, including his sister-in-law and her children, also relied on it for their daily drinking water needs. Clean water was essential for them, and the tanker would enable them to access it conveniently.

Days turned into weeks, and he awaited a response from the Micro Projects Program. Finally, the good news arrived, his application had been approved. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he received the water tanker.

With the tanker now at his disposal, Youssef could efficiently irrigate his trees, ensuring their strength and productivity. Additionally, clean drinking water flowed into his household, bringing peace of mind and improved living conditions for everyone.

Imad Aldeen, a devoted father, faced many challenges in his life, yet his unwavering determination and love for his family kept him going. After his retirement in 2012 from a government job, the outbreak of war in 2011 left him without employment for two long years. But Imad refused to give up. In 2014, he opened a mini-market to provide for his three daughters, who were all pursuing their university education.

However, tragedy struck the family once more when Imad's beloved wife lost her courageous battle with cancer in 2017. Overwhelmed with grief, Imad was left to shoulder the responsibility of raising their daughters alone.

To compound their difficulties, the country was gripped by a severe economic crisis, which had a profound impact on his ability to procure an adequate supply of goods and commodities for his shop. The dwindling income added to the mounting pressures on him to provide for his family and support his daughters' education.

Realizing that he needed assistance, he turned to the Micro Projects Program, a beacon of hope for individuals like him who were striving to sustain their livelihoods. With a glimmer of optimism, he applied for support, hoping it would provide the boost he needed.

Months later, he received the news he had been eagerly awaiting. His application had been accepted, and he was supported. The Micro Projects Program provided him with the necessary resources and support to strengthen his mini-market's inventory and improve its sustainability.

The impact was almost immediate. Imad's shop began to flourish, attracting more customers and generating increased revenue. With his small business revitalized, he could now provide for his daughters with greater ease and ensure they could continue their education without financial burdens.

Bashar, a hardworking farmer from Al-Maamoura village, has always strived to provide for his family. Married to Maryam, they lived with his mother and his brother. In addition to his farming project, Bashar also ran a modest grocery shop, ensuring multiple sources of income for his family.

One of his main challenges was his almond tree plantation, which he started three years ago. To maintain the health and productivity of his trees, he needed to water them four times a month. However, the cost of renting a tanker for irrigation purposes was a burden on his finances. Determined to find a more sustainable solution, he applied for a water tanker.

The water tanker would not only assist him in irrigating his land but also enable him to spray pesticides and fertilizers effectively. This would greatly enhance the health and yield of his almond trees, leading to improved profits for his family. Bashar had been relying on his uncle's tractor to transport water from the village's main well, situated near the church.

To make his dreams a reality, Bashar sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program. His application was approved for support to purchase a water tanker. This support would relieve him of the burden of renting a tanker, allowing him to save the family's financial resources.

With the water tanker, his almond trees will thrive. They will grow strong and healthy, bringing abundant harvests year after year. The increased income from his almond production, will couple with the success of his grocery shop, bringing stability and prosperity to Bashar's household and although Bashar's father was still missing after being kidnapped during the war, the support he received from the Micro Projects Program filled his heart with new hope. 

Elias, a husband and father of three, had opened his mini-market in 1987, which had been the sole source of livelihood for his family. His children had all gotten married, leaving him and his wife as empty nesters, relying on the income from the mini-market. However, a series of events took a toll on Elias and his business.

Initially, his son worked as a chef, but he found himself unemployed, making the mini-market the family's sole source of income. Tragedy struck when Elias suffered a debilitating stroke, leading to a financial crisis for the family. In order to make ends meet, he was forced to sell the shop where his mini-market was located. Determined to continue his business, he rented the same shop back from the new owner.

Though Elias faced immense challenges, he refused to be defeated. With sheer determination, he completed his treatment and made a remarkable recovery, enabling him to return to running his micro project. Despite the setback, his indomitable spirit shone through as he resumed his role as the heart and soul of the mini-market.

However, due to the market situation, fluctuating prices, and the impact of his health crisis, the variety of goods and commodities in Elias's shop dwindled. Realizing the need to revive his small business, he applied to the Micro Projects Program, seeking assistance to rejuvenate his shop.

Among the products he sells, Elias has a coffee grinder, which is a unique selling point of his mini-market, offering customers freshly ground coffee. This special touch has always created a welcoming atmosphere and helped draw people to his shop.

His story is a testament to his unwavering determination in the face of adversity. Although he experienced a stroke that had a significant impact on his business, he refused to give up. Through his tenacity and the support of the Micro Projects Program, Elias aspires to revitalize his mini-market, once again providing a wide range of goods to his community.

As Elias continues his journey to recovery, his story serves as an inspiration to others. With resilience and a strong work ethic, he strives to rebuild his thriving business and support his family. 

Jihad and Adla, a hard-working couple with two young children, found themselves facing financial struggles in their modest life. Both government employees with limited salaries, were determined to provide a better future for their family. In 2016, Jihad took a leap of faith and opened a mini-market in the hopes of boosting their income.

However, their business faced challenges from the outset. The economic crisis gripping the country led to a continuous increase in prices, making it difficult for the small business to thrive. As the family's breadwinner, Jihad felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders. He knew he needed support to keep his small business running, especially with strong competitors in the area.

He came across the Micro Projects Program, a beacon of hope in their darkest times. He gathered all the necessary documents and submitted an application, hoping to secure the assistance they needed.

Months passed, and just when Jihad had started to lose hope, he received the long-awaited news. The Micro Projects Program had approved his application, providing him with the much-needed support to continue his journey.

The mini-market flourished under Jihad's diligent management, and with the support of the Micro Projects Program, the small family found hope, stability, and the means to build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Rami started his iron lathing workshop in 2003. As a skilled craftsman, he had learned the trade in Lebanon, honing his skills from 1994 until he finally became an independent worker. With a family to support, he took on the role of the sole breadwinner, striving to provide for his wife and two children.

However, the aftermath of the war had brought a new set of challenges for him and other craftsmen. The electricity supply became severely disrupted, with frequent power outages and unpredictable rationing. This dire situation had a profound impact on all aspects of life, including Rami's small business.

Undeterred by the difficult circumstances, he made every effort to adapt to the unreliable power supply. He resorted to working during the limited hours when electricity was available, often toiling away until the late hours of the night. Despite his determination, these makeshift solutions were not sufficient to sustain his business and maintain a steady income for his family.

Recognizing the need for a reliable source of electricity, he decided to seek assistance from the Micro Projects Program. He believed that securing a generator would alleviate his struggles and enable him to work without interruption. With renewed hope, he submitted an application, sharing his story and the pressing challenges he faced.

The Micro Projects Program recognized his dedication and the impact such support could have on his livelihood. his application was approved, providing him with the necessary support to purchase an electric generator for his workshop.

The day the generator arrived was a moment of great joy and relief for Rami. With the new equipment in place, his workshop buzzed with life, unaffected by the unreliable grid power. He could now focus on his craft and fulfill orders without worrying about frequent disruptions. The steady flow of work brought stability to his income, easing the burden of financial responsibilities.

Thanks to the Micro Projects Program, Rami overcame the challenges posed by the inadequate electricity supply and guaranteed a thriving business. He will provide a stable future for his children and ensure a brighter tomorrow for his family.

Mounir, a hardworking farmer from the village of Al-Maamoura, carries the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as the head of a family of seven. As a loving husband and father to five children, he is determined to provide for his family and secure a brighter future for them.

On his vast land, adorned with almond and olive trees, he toils day in and day out to yield a bountiful harvest. However, his beloved land has a perpetual need for plowing to maintain its fertility and ensure optimal crop production. Though he owns a reliable tractor, a vital tool for his farming endeavors, Mounir lacks a crucial component: a moldboard.

The absence of this essential attachment had forced him to resort to renting one whenever he needed to plow his land. These rental expenses gradually drained his limited financial resources, leaving him unable to invest in his family's well-being and the improvement of his farmland. The necessity of owning a moldboard to alleviate his financial burden and enhance his land's productivity, encouraged Mounir to seek assistance from the Micro Projects Program.

With hope, he submitted an application to the program, detailing his challenge and emphasizing the transformative impact a moldboard could have on his farming operations. 

In a heartwarming turn of events, Mounir's application was approved, and he was provided with the aid necessary to purchase the coveted moldboard. 

Equipped with his new moldboard, he set out to plow his land with renewed determination. This task became more efficient and cost-effective, as his tractor glided smoothly across the land, preparing the soil for an abundant harvest. His almond and olive trees will thrive under his nurturing care, yielding healthier crops that will bring joy and prosperity to his family.

Christine Fanouneh is 39 years old, she lives with her mother and brother in Jaramana, Damascus suburbs.

During her childhood, Christine lived in a very harmful environment as her father used to abuse her mother on daily basis in front of her and her sister, her brother was born with Down’s syndrome in addition to many health problems which made him in a continuous of medication and lots of love, care, and attention that the family was missing.

When Christine and her sister became adults, they stood in the face of their father defending their mother which angered him so he kicked them out of the house. Christine didn’t sit around feeling sorry for herself, on the contrary, she started working as a seamstress assistant and took care of the house expenses and her brother's medicine costs.

In 2009, Christine decided to start a job at a telecommunications company where she could meet people and have a social life until 2019 when she volunteered at the GOPA DERD organization.

During those years she kept working in sewing as a part-time job and managed to continue her education and graduate from the faculty of English literature.

Unfortunately, the health condition of her brother Elias was deteriorating and he needed intensive care that her mother couldn’t handle alone as she was not in a good mental situation and suffering from a lack of concentration due to the severe abuse that she was exposed to during her life with her husband, which forced Christine to miss many work days so she can be with her mom and brother.

Christine realized that she needs a job where she could manage her time and look after her family at the same time. She found her way to the micro-projects initiative and applied for a sewing machines, tools, and equipment that will enable her to have a new start in this field hoping that this opportunity will help her provide a proper income to look after her family.

Elie Istanboly, 30 years old, is like many young men of his age who had to spend years of the war facing dangers and horrors during their military service, and in Elie's case, it took nine difficult years of his youth.

Before the war began, Elie worked as a taxi driver and after he was discharged in 2019, he wanted to learn a profession so he could have a career for the future and make up for the previous years.

Elie started working at a metal casting workshop and in the afternoon, he continued working as a taxi driver trying his best to pay all his expenses and provide the living demands for his family.

However, the metal casting profession affected his health as he was exposed to lung poisoning due to inhaling poisoned gases. After his treatment, his doctor recommended that he doesn't go back to the same job because his lungs were damaged, and continuing in the same work might lead to serious outcomes.

But working as a taxi driver wasn’t enough to meet the livelihood costs because he had to give half of his income to the taxi owner, which forced him to sacrifice his health and face the dangers of keep working in the metal workshop for the sake of his family.

Elie was seeking any chance to improve his situation so he applied for the Micro-projects program for a taxi hoping that his life would change for the better.

Today after being funded to buy a taxi, Elie is delighted to have a project of his own. At the same time, he can work harder and improve his living conditions to provide his family and kids with a decent life.

Hassan Jolan, 33, didn’t have the chance to work or learn any profession after turning into his twenties because he was called for military service. He thought it would be a short period and pass in peace, but he did not know that a fierce war would strike his country to steal nine years from his life in which he had to be far from his family and friends under very difficult circumstances until his discharge in 2019.

He went home full of hope, got married to Suzan Altheib, and had adorable two kids who compensated him for the bitterness of wartime. During that period, he started to work as a taxi driver but he encountered critical conditions due to the corona virus and the restrictions that were followed by a huge increase in prices.

Unfortunately, no matter how long he worked, he kept suffering from the insufficient income and he became unable to handle the living expenses and his kids’ demands, especially since the taxi owner started to increase the rent which prevented him from having any additional savings.

However, even though all his relatives and friends were encouraging him to travel abroad, deep in his heart Hassan was praying to have a chance in his country, close to his parents and among his friends, and that’s what he got as he was funded with the taxi project that turned his life around as he has now a taxi of his own, and independence to have a better and sustainable income to improve his living conditions.

At the age of five, the life of Adeeb Haddad completely changed from a young child living in a safe environment with his parents to a homeless orphan moving from house to house.

His father's death in 2001 put his mother in a state of grieving and shock and also affected Adeeb who lost security and stability. Their financial conditions were very bad as his mother wasn’t working, so they moved to live with their relatives until his mother decided to marry and move with her husband to Homs.

Unfortunately, his stepfather was very cruel to him, while his mother was too weak to protect him so Adeeb moved back to his relatives' house and never saw his mother for the next eight years. Adeeb has suffered a lot from deprivation as his relatives were also living in extreme poverty; he was forced to leave school in the sixth grade and worked in cleaning bathrooms and washing dishes, or any other job he could find.

In 2017, Adeeb worked with his friend in a mobile maintenance workshop, where he found his interest, as he liked the profession and learned it quickly until he became well-known in his neighborhood for being a skilled maintenance worker. However, his friend wanted to travel, so Adeeb decided to borrow some money and buy the equipment from him to continue in the workshop alone which gave him the opportunity he was looking for to be independent and start his own project.

Adeeb was working in his shop seeking to improve his living conditions to get married, but no matter how hard he worked, that little dream kept becoming farther because the living circumstances were very tough, and with his modest workshop and old tools, he was unable to save money or improve his conditions.

With the help of micro-projects, Adeeb was supported with new tools and proper amounts of goods to enhance his work and income, hoping that after all those tough days, life will smile on him and he will be able to improve his situation and establish his own family.

Often, we are born to encounter many life obstacles, but the defining point is either giving up or challenging and accepting these obstacles and continuing our lives while we are full of hope and optimism, which was the choice of thirty-two-year-old Johnny Mardini.

Johnny was born into a humble family consisting of a hardworking father who worked day and night for the sake of his family and a loving mother who did everything she could to give love and care, especially since Johnny's older brother George suffers from a mental disability since birth that stopped his growth.

However, Johnny never hesitated to be responsible for his brother or his parents; so he learned the plumbing profession from his father and began to work with him at the workshops and at the plumbing store, trying his best to help with the household expenses.

unfortunately, in 2011 a fierce war broke out and stole Johnny from his family, as he was taken for military service to serve in conflict areas, where he used to be absent for many months without being able to communicate with his family, the thing that made them live in great fear and affected their health. After ten bitter years of suffering and life threats, Johnny was finally released in the year 2021.

After he returned, Johnny did not hesitate to work as a plumber, in the evenings he stayed with his father in the store and tried to give his brother the care he missed in his absence.

Johnny was striving to secure the most basic needs of the house, not to mention the monthly medicine costs for his parents, and despite his tight conditions and poor financial situation, his warm smile did not leave his face, and he kept hoping that life would reward him for his endeavors one day.

Indeed, this self-made man deserved the support of the Micro-project Program in Damascus, where his plumbing store was funded with the necessary equipment and materials that will increase his income and improve his living situation, in the hope it will reflect positively on his life and future.

losing her husband at the age of 26, and being responsible for a newborn baby at the same time is tough for any woman to handle, but Nancy Alshoufi decided to direct her love and care to her baby who will grow up without his father's support.

Her in-laws were also in great shock as they lost their son at a very young age, Nancy decided to keep living with them trying her best to look after them after their huge loss.

This young lady’s sacrifice had no limits as she took a full-time job to afford her son’s basic demands and at the same time help her in-laws with the house expenses. She also decided to finish her education at the faculty of translation as she is now in her third year continuing her journey in work and study with great passion.

In 2019, Nancy took a Micro project management course at GOPA and won funding for starting a small nuts shop in the neighborhood which will be additional income for her but unfortunately, the start of her project was in parallel with the Corona crisis in the country which led to a huge increase in the prices and the fund she got wasn’t enough for buying 20 percent of the shop’s goods and materials.

Yet, she kept trying with the help of her father to sustain the shop and manage its capital to buy new goods, but that became difficult as time passed because of the hard economic conditions of the last two years.

Although Nancy was struggling to make a balance between her living expenses and raising her son in good conditions, she didn’t lose faith in God who led her to apply at the micro-project office in Damascus and she was supported with the necessary goods and materials that will increase her income and ensure the stable and secured income.

Behind the great amount of sadness and calamities that Fahed has been through in his life, there is a loving, confident heart and a solid will to improve himself and save his family from their tragic situation.

Fahed Farah, 34, is a caring husband and father of two sons; Farah, born in 2017, and Charbel born in 2019. He lives along with his family in a dilapidated flat in Al-Dwalaa neighborhood.

At the beginning of his twenties, Fahed was called to the military service for eight tough years of his life, he had to face the most difficult conditions until his discharge in 2018. He was then facing a harsher reality as his son was diagnosed with a brain tumor and needed to undergo a surgical operation which cost Fahed all his savings in addition to selling his wife’s gold jewelry.

Fahed was on the edge of a breakdown, but his will was stronger than his conditions, so he decided to defeat all the obstacles and start over. He returned to the physics college to continue his education in the morning, and in the afternoon, he started working as a taxi driver and a physics tutor at the same time, trying his best to secure the living demands and his son’s medications for misfunction in the Hypothyroidism which led to lack of growth.

Sorrowfully, such an effort didn’t improve his situation because half of his income was going straight to the taxi owner and he was looking for a miracle to save him from his hardship.

Now, after applying to the Hope center to have his own Taxi, Fahed is determined to improve his livelihood, finish his university study and provide his family with decent living circumstances.

Wadie Abou Assaleh, a 60-year-old man, is married to Claire and they have two sons George who since his born in 1994 suffers from a mental disability, and Elias born in 1991. 

From 1985 to 2011 Wadie worked as a goldsmith along with his brother at their workshop but after the outbreak of the war, their profession was affected badly. Hence, his brother traveled abroad and Wadie was forced to close the workshop and work as a private driver for an archbishop on the Damascus-Beirut international road which provided him with a decent income during the years of war.

Wadie dedicated his life to the sake of his boys as he provided his son George with all the love and care he needs; he wanted to support his son and prove to him that disability is not an inability, so in 2012 he rented a mini-market near his house and filled it with goods so his son could do something valuable and be socially involved with the people every day.

His other son Elias traveled to Erbil but he couldn’t’ find a proper job and Wadie had to send him money every month to secure his living. Unfortunately, by the end of 2019, the corona epidemic affected the situation all over the world and the travel movement stopped between Syria and Lebanon which left Wadie jobless.

His son Elias was also in a bad financial situation in Erbil and wanted to return to Syria so Wadie had no choice but to sell his car to pay him the military service fees.

Although Wadie started the market to enhance his son's social abilities, now even with its poor amount of goods, it became the only source of income for the whole family. Giving him the chance to renew his goods will help him overcome all the tough days and allow him to improve his family’s situation.

As long as you keep smiling in the face of your difficulties, life will reward your great hope. 

Simon Tannous is 44 years old, he is married and has two adorable girls, Hala born in 2008, and Lana born in 2013.

Simon and his family live in a small rented flat in Kashkoul and he also works in his mini-market in the same area.

He was an employee as a driver at the construction administration in Damascus since 1996, but his low income wasn't matching his living expenses which made him decide to have additional income, he started his own mini-market shop in 2010 where he used to work in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, after about three years of the war’s outbreak, the violent acts spread all over and as a result, the armed groups robbed and vandalized his shop which cost him many losses.

Yet, Simon didn’t hesitate to borrow some money and buy new goods to keep the work going which annoyed the troublemakers in the area and they reported him to the police station for selling alcoholic drinks illegally. That cost Simon five years of his life in prison until the church intervened to prove his innocence and he was set free in 2019.

After his release, Simon’s health was affected badly as he was suffering from Back disc pains which made him quit his job at the administration and returned to work at his mini-market.

During the last years, Simon’s family survived with the support of the church’s relief aid and the help of their friends and relatives. Simon couldn’t provide his shop with new goods to improve the work and increase his income.

However, despite all the difficulties he has been through, Simon’s smile never disappeared and he kept praying for a better future. Indeed, his hope wasn't disappointed and with the help of the Micro-project program, he was supported with a proper amount of goods that will increase his income and improve his situation.

Sometimes the only thing that can keep you fighting, is believing that one day everything is going to be better.

Najeh Ajaiby, 52, has never stopped believing that good things are coming on his way.

he is originally from Egypt and came to Syria in 1997 looking for better work opportunities, so he started to work in his profession as a carpenter in different workshops. Soon after he got married to Samar AL-Abdoun and had three children Ruba, Fadi, and Mina.

Najeh worked hard for many years in Al-Swaida until he became able to establish his own carpentry workshop in 2009 in the same area. His wife and kids were living in Damascus so Najeh was planning to move his workplace there to be close to them but in 2011, the war started in the country and the deteriorating security situation in the area prevented him from moving. For more than ten years, Najeh was forced to be far from his family working as hard as he could to secure all their living needs and provide his kids with proper education to secure their future.

Indeed, his daughter Ruba is studying now at the Engineering college, his son Mina is in the faculty of Medicine while the other son Fadi has won a scholarship to study flight engineering in Moscow.

Even though Najeh was delighted to see his kids succeed in their studies, he had to work harder to meet the increasing costs of living which were unbearable, especially within the electricity blackouts situation in the area which affected his work directly as his customers started to deal with other workshops which have electric generators and can do the work on time.

Now after being financed with the electric generator and the necessary equipment, this self-made man has the chance to improve his work which will change his situation for the better and secure decent living conditions.  

Salwan Alnasr is 43 years old, married to Rita with a 13-year-old son called Jack.

Salwan and his family live in a modest rented flat in Al-Dwalaa, He used to work as a tile setter for more than 13 years. Despite the fact that his work was very hard and affected his health on the long term, he kept working to afford the best life for his family because during the crisis years, no matter how hard he worked, his income didn’t level up with the high costs of livelihood.

Unfortunately, in 2017, Salwan started to suffer from severe pain in his back and the doctor told him that he has to go through surgery that he couldn’t afford, but “the Good Shepherd Association” covered the surgery’s costs and after the operation, he had to stay for about 18 months in bed rest. During that period, Salwan had to spend all his savings to afford the basic living needs and after his recovery, his brother helped him to start a small shop close to his house where he could be able to support his family without much physical effort.

He worked in the shop with his brother until his traveling in 2020 when Salwan took the responsibility of running the shop by himself and he became very popular in the neighborhood as people got used to buying from him.

However, due to the Corona and the huge increase in prices, Salwan couldn’t support his shop with new goods, and day after day it became empty besides a few materials that were left on the shelves. Salwan was in a bad financial situation and he wasn’t able to make a balance between his income and his family’s living demands. 

“Don’t let life bring you down. Remember that God gives you struggles to test your faith.”

Salwan’s faith was stronger than his struggles, and now after being supported by the micro-project program he is able to support his shop with a good amount of goods and products to improve his income and restore his life balance.

In 2010, Tony left his village and headed to the city of Damascus with hope and determination to make a change in the life of his family. He settled in Al-Dwalaa neighborhood and started to work in any available job and send most of his wages to his mother and brother who suffers from sight disability. 

Unfortunately in the first years of the war the security situation in Damascus deteriorated badly, and soon after, he was asked to serve in Hama.

Tony accepted the bitter reality and for more than eight years he served in very dangerous zones, went through several hardships, and survived many calamities. Yet, he didn’t let his situation bring him down, on the contrary, he learned the hairstyling profession and while he was serving in Hama, he worked at Marmarita village then when he was transferred to serve in Damascus, he continued his work there and gained good experience by the leading of professional hairstylists in the area.

The day that Tony was looking forward to, had arrived and he was discharged from the military service. He didn’t hesitate and started to work many shifts during the day to improve his financial situation, he wanted to save money to have his own salon, but his family’s situation wasn’t stable and he was sending them money every month to secure their basic living demands.

Tony’s dream of being independent and having his private job was fading away with the increasing costs of living, but he kept on the hard work until he heard about the micro-project program so he came with all hope asking for support.

Now, after being financed with the necessary equipment and the electric generator, Tony has finally reached his goal; having his own salon, and being independent to mprove his living circumstances.