Despite all difficulties, the 35-years-old Boutros was determined to reopen his local restaurant in Al-Serian neighborhood after being closed for a long time because of war. In those dark years the whole city was in danger, restaurants were closing and life became hard on every aspect. Boutros decided to leave Syria and go to Lebanon, until Aleppo becomes safe again. When Boutros and his wife came back to Aleppo, they settled in his family’s house with his parents, and became responsible of supporting the family financially. Boutros did not want to give up his long experience in food catering business, although this kind of business needed a large amount of capital to establish a place almost from scratch. But the determined young man did not lose hope and opened his old tiny restaurant with the bare minimal equipment he had. 

It was great news to him that his project will be funded by the Micro Projects Program, in purchasing new kitchen ware and refrigerators because his limited resources were starting to hinder his progress and prevent him from serving many popular dishes that customers may request. 

Today Boutros has all the equipment needed for his restaurant to thrive and for his customers to taste his delicious dishes made with love and passion for cooking.

Khatchir is the head of his small family of four, along with his wife Rowaida, daughter Eliza and son George, they all live in Serian neighborhood. Since they belong to the middle class, the financial crisis of the long war had put a devastating tall on them. 

Due to the high rents, the family had to live in a small, unhealthy underground apartment for a long time. The bad conditions of the apartment did not suit the son, George, who suffers from asthma. In 2018, when many people fled the country, a friend of the family lent his house to Khatchir, and this was a huge relief for them. 

During war Khatchir had to have many jobs in order to survive, and what made things worse was that his wife went through a joint-replacement surgery which made him the sole provider for the family. Khatchir worked in the church, then in a local shampoo company, and recently he decided to go back to his original profession of silver crafting, but as an employee in a friend’s workshop.

Khatchir’s project of Silver Crafting allowed him to take a step forward in his career and be a business owner. His long years of experience in the domain, with the machines and tools purchased by the funds, made the excellent recipe for a thriving business and a financially stable future.

Eshak and his wife Amira are blessed with two boys and a girl, living in their house in Al-Midan, the couple consider themselves lucky to survive the vicious war with only some material losses. 

One of the losses was Eshak’s metal crafting workshop in Bustan Al-Basha, which was severely damaged and robbed-off completely during the years of war. 

When Eshak heard that his workshop was looted while being out of reach, he knew that he should think of another way to make a living, and that was how he started his new career as a driver. Eshak found this field of work to be convenient for him, and since 2013, he has been renting a taxi and making his living this way. 

Today, Eshak’s schedule is fully packed. Having his own car made him more motivated and more content on many levels that he now is putting more effort than ever to improve his family’s life. This project will give him a boost of hope needed to carry on his hard work. 

Jameel was one of the craftsmen whose career was severely disrupted because of the Syrian war. Prior to 2012, Syria was heading toward developing its economy; large companies and industries were being built and many well-known artisans like Jameel were having thriving businesses more than ever. However, when war started everything changed. The nature of Jameel’s work was affiliated with industrial facilities, huge gas or water pipe lines' installation project across cities and oil tanks manufacturing projects. this type of work was severely (if not completely) destroyed thus he stayed unemployed for a long time. His personal life was not going any better either, he and his wife have lived (and still do) in their sixth-floor apartment in Al-Midan, witnessing all the shells and missiles falling in the sky of Aleppo city, luckily, they survived  with little damage to the house.

Despite everything, Jameel stayed positive and resilient. He knew that big projects were not going to happen soon, so he compromised to slightly altering his field of work, when he rented a workspace for metal welding services in Bustan Al-Basha. This fund enabled Jameel to purchase all the machines and tools needed for his new workshop and will help him maintain a decent livelihood, hopefully in the future the wheels of development run again in Syria.

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. 

Gamal is a mother of two, who has a long experience in the sewing field. She had entered this work long before she was married. First, she started doing tailoring for customers but when her own sewing machine was worn out and no longer in a working condition, she stopped for a while. However, her husband’s deteriorating health, which coincided with the start of the war forced her to look for jobs in sewing workshops in order to make a decent living and support her family specially that her children were still in school and her husband couldn’t work properly after his heart surgery (he even started a cigarette selling stall near their house). 

The fund came in a crucial timing for Gamal, since the workshop she lately worked in had unfortunately closed couple of months ago due to the economic crisis and Gamal had become unemployed. The good news of her project’s approval revived the hope in Gamal’s heart, since it gave her the opportunity to purchase two sewing machines and create her own little workspace at home and be an independent woman who can support her family at the same time. 

Although young George lives a quiet life with his mother in their family house in Al-Midan, but the long years of war were anything but quiet; their neighborhood had suffered from the shelling for many years and George and his mom were alone in those hard times, since his father had passed away when he was a kid and his older sisters are married abroad. Going through war and being responsible for his mother, made George mature early in life. 

Despite the fact that George did not give up on his studies, he has always been interested in crafts, since he was young, he worked in a gold crafting workshop and discovered his skills. Slowly this Summer job became a career field which George got involved in. During his ten years of working in this field, George worked on his skills and started building his own name in the market, hoping that one day he can become independent and start his own silver crafting workshop.

His dream came true when he got the funds from the Micro Project that allowed him to purchase all the tools and equipment to establish his first independent workshop. 

From an early age, George and his brother Fadi had to face the hardships of life instead of having a normal childhood, first they were separated from their parents at the age of five, then, life became even harder. 

The brothers who were living with their aunt and uncle, were shocked when they both were called to serve in the army at the same time. During his service, George was injured; a sniper's shot hit him just under his heart, and he went through four surgeries to remove the shrapnel. In 2019, the five years of agony ended when George was discharged unlike his brother who is still serving till this day.

However, with his multiple injuries George could not go back to his original profession which was in car mechanics, instead he was hired in a medical company with a very modest salary. 

George, was very enthusiastic when he knew that his Taxi project got accepted. For the first time he became self-employed and independent, a young man full of hope and determination to move on in life and build a better future.

Maher’s life was turned upside down when he and his younger brother were both called to serve in the army’s mandatory service in 2018. When the two brothers were away on fire lines, their mother Soaad could not bear the thoughts that her sons are in danger everyday, the fear for their lives and the difficulties of living alone as her husband passed away since the boys were small children, all this affected her health and caused her a heart attack. she survived the incident to be reunited with her son Maher when he got discharged after two years of service. 

When he came home, he immediately looked for a job, and he found one in a local bakery with a very modest salary. Maher had no choice but to accept in order to make a living. 

Today Maher takes care of his mother and support her financially with the limited resources he has. 

The Taxi car was a turning point for Maher, since it will make him more independent and able to make a better income. This way he and his mom can live more comfortable and financially secure life. 

After the death of their father, Fadi and his brother George lived with their mother and became responsible of the household. 

Although the war years were not easy on Fadi, but he considers himself lucky that during those difficult times he and his loved ones stayed safe and he managed to keep his job and make a decent living to survive. 

Young Fadi has a long experience working in the embroidery field; he has been in this domain since 2001, when he was a teenager and ever since then he has been working (in his employer’s workshop) with many producers, building a good reputation and increasing his customers in this field.

Fadi had to make a bold decision, when his boss informed him that he was going to sell the workshop and leave the country. Fadi didn’t want to waste his long experience in this field, so he decided to purchase an embroidery machine and open his own workshop. Of course, this step was not possible without the funding Fadi got which allowed him to buy a computerized embroidery machine and fully equip his workspace and resume his career with great hope of a successful business in the future. 

Hrant, his wife Rita and their six-years-old daughter Nathalia are one of many young families who had to tackle on hardships of war from their early start. Soon after getting married Hrant and his wife escaped Aleppo city seeking safety in Mashta Al-Helou in Homs’ countryside and remained there for more than four years. It was during that time their house in Aleppo was hit by a shell, luckily they were out of the city when the incident happened.

Hrant wanted to go back to his original career as a car tuning technician, but due to the economic difficulties he was lacking the needed equipment to be independent with his work. He now had the chance to start over his business with this support after moving back with his family to Aleppo, full of hope that the future will bring him prosperity and a better life.

Tony Saeed, the father of two is an example of resilience in times of war. On both safety and financial aspects Tony and his family have suffered for long time. Their house in Al Midan was extremely dangerous, the falling shells had their toll on the family specially the children, it got to a point where they were forced to leave their home (and ever since they have been living in rented apartments). 

Before the war, Tony’s job was going good, he used to work partially in different clothes’ manufacturing workshops but with the increasing expensiveness and the economic depression Tony’s income became insufficient, not only that but he also stayed unemployed for a long period of time.

Tony refused to give up on the future, with the sewing machines he purchased with the support of Micro Projects initiative, he is going to establish his own workshop hoping that the odds be in his favor and this new step bring him more stability and success.

Talaat, a hardworking farmer from Qattinah village, faced adversity when thieves stole his irrigation network. This setback left his water pond and well, equipped with a pump, useless, limiting him to planting only wheat on his land. As a husband and father of two university students, he felt the weight of providing for his family. With the stolen irrigation system, he struggled to cultivate a variety of crops to improve their livelihood.

However, with the support of a new irrigation network, Talaat's hopes blossomed anew. Now equipped with everything needed for a well-watered farm, he eagerly began planting potatoes and a variety of vegetables without worries. This stability not only transforms his farm but also holds the promise of changing his family's future, ensuring them a dignified life. 

Alaa, a devoted family man from the village of Qattinah, faced the trials of sustaining his family through farming and seasonal fishing. 

He works in his father-in-law's land, entrusted with its care while his father-in-law traveled abroad. In this land there was a partnership between his father-in-law and someone else and this partnership had once thrived, when they equipped the land with essential irrigation tools.

In 2022, Alaa's world shattered as his father-in-law's partner sold their shared assets, leaving him deprived of the crucial equipment and water access. 

With no recourse, his farming activities were paused, casting shadows over his family's livelihood.

Yet, hope flickered in the form of the Micro Projects Program, where he sought aid to restore his dreams. He applied for a solar power and irrigation systems, envisioning a future where his land flourishes once more.

Amidst the olive trees and vegetable crops, Alaa's resilience bloomed. With the installation of solar panels and an efficient irrigation system, his land came to life. 

Fadi is married with two children, he cherishes the simplicity of life alongside his aging parents. Enduring a two-year struggle with liver inflammation and diabetes, he found stability, embracing gratitude for his family and health.

Specialized in pastry making, a skill acquired in Lebanon, he operates a modest shop with his wife. He also works in farming with an arable land. He worked hard to enhance productivity year-round. However, lacking a water pump and motor hindered his ambition, limiting cultivation to winter season.

Despite efforts to rent equipment, the high costs hindered the progress. His cultivation during the summer was limited to wheat, due to the water scarcity. 

Hope flickered when Fadi applied for the Micro Projects Program, through the program's intervention, he received vital irrigation equipment, transforming his agricultural prospects. Now, empowered by efficient water management, he became able to secure a dignified life for his loved ones. 

Sami, the head of a family of four in Qattinah village, struggled with the financial burden of farming. As both a dedicated employee and a farmer with olive and almond trees, he faced challenges plowing his land and providing essential treatments due to high equipment rental costs. Undeterred, he sought help from the Micro Projects Program.

He secured a mini-cultivator and a spraying pump. This invaluable support not only alleviated the strain of expensive tractor rentals but also empowered him to tend to his land effectively. 

Now, Sami cultivates his land with ease, saving costs and ensuring a bountiful harvest. The support has not only transformed his struggles into success but has also paved the way for a brighter future, promising his family a more prosperous and secure livelihood.

Together with his wife, Eisa faced life's adversities head-on, within their humble house in Al-Tabbaleh, holding their strong faith in God's mercy. Their son Elie who was living with them, faced the complexities of life as a recent graduate with a lingering eye condition.

Eisa had dedicated decades of his life as a driver at the Ministry of Agriculture, until his retirement in 2021. However, retirement didn't signify a life of leisure; with financial constraints above his shoulders, he found himself in a critical situation in addition to the threat of eviction loomed large as his landlord sought to oust them.

In the face of adversity, the family remained resilient, his son, despite his visual impairment, persevered, finding employment in a mobile repair shop trying to hold the costs of his eye care, and his wife shared the responsibilities with her family by working as a bus attendant for a private school while Eisa sought any job opportunity available holding one endeavor in his heart, preserve his family's dignity.

unfortunately, due to his age, work options were limited until he found his way to apply for the pick-up car project at Hope Center with the idea of transporting vegetables and fruits to markets. 

Today, after having the support, Eisa is so grateful because despite the hardships, the income he got helped in improving his livelihood and promised of better days to come.

Samer Al-Shammas is married to Mouna Derany, and they have two sons Louay and Maher. Samer's life has always revolved around his family. Despite facing health challenges after retiring from his job in 2013 due to pancreatic issues, he never let adversity deter his spirit. Even when his medication costs became more than he could handle, he decided to sell his cherished home in Jaramana to pay for his treatment and spent the rest on his sons' weddings, proving that his sacrifices knew no bounds because he always found his solace in the love and support of his family.  

His son Louay was working diligently as a distributor, and established his own family, while Maher, miles away in Lebanon, pursued his career as an accountant.

Samer was working hard as a taxi driver, struggling against the increasing living prices trying his best to afford his daily food with dignity.

The turning point in his life was when he was supported by Hope Center to purchase his own taxi which wasn't just a vehicle for him; it was his means to independence, dignity, and a stable income.

As Samer cruised through the streets of Damascus, his taxi became more than a mode of transportation, it was a testament to resilience in the face of life challenges. With his head held high, Samer embraced each passenger with a warm smile.

Fady Qassis 46, started his career as an employee at Bimo Bank until 2015 when his life took a drastic turn as he was called for reserved military service and as a result, he was forced to vacate his rented home and leave his job.

Despite setbacks, Fady insisted on maintaining a decent standard of living for his family so he started working in distributing medicines using any means of transportation available and working long hours daily for this endeavor but the deteriorating economic conditions and the high costs of living exhausted him and he was clearly in need of support.

Through his unwavering commitment to providing for his family, he applied for the pickup truck project for distributing medicines and aimed to expand distribution beyond his area of residence.

Having support from Hope Center to purchase his own vehicle marked a significant milestone in Fady's life. It promised not only improved livelihood but also a secure income source for the future.

Khalaf Al-Bshara, 51, is married to Shireen Qabalan and lives in a humble house with his parents in Al-Tabbaleh neighborhood.

Despite being a skilled painter since 2003, life had not been kind to Khalaf.

At the beginning of the crisis, his painting work decreased so he started working on transferring vegetables and fruits between his village in Daraa and Damascus until the security conflicts reached the area and it was no longer safe, but he decided to challenge the situation and keep working until he was exposed to kidnapping by the armed groups, the three days he stayed in abduction shattered his stability so he relocated to Damascus to live with his family at his parents’ house.

With opportunities scarce, Khalaf found himself shuttling between different jobs: painting, construction, and even restaurant cleaning, he opted to do any available work to put food on the table but his situation was getting worse and the weight of responsibility pressed down harder in addition to having financial hardships, all of that led his marriage to collapse, as his wife took his daughter and moved to live at her parents’ house while he had to put his son at an orphanage.

Tears welled in Khalaf's eyes as he spoke of his kids, his dream of reuniting his fractured family stirred a deep resolve within him, making him apply for the pick-up car with one goal ahead, the reunion of his family.

The support that he gained from Hope Center isn't just about financial assistance; it symbolizes the promise of reunification, healing fractured bonds, and restoring Khalaf's family. 

Samaan Ashkar, a blacksmith whose life tells the tale of resilience against all odds.

From his humble beginnings in Kashkoul, Samaan started working as a blacksmith where he faced numerous challenges, including financial constraints and the loss of his beloved family members, but Samaan's spirit remained unbroken.

In 2003, he decided to relocate to Dubai and try his luck there, he worked in various capacities and experienced both triumphs and tribulations. However, with all the setbacks and financial strains that he went through in Dubai, Samaan managed to preserve, handle his livelihood, and save for his future, then after several years of working hard, Samaan decided eventually to return to Syria and start a new chapter of his life. 

Unfortunately, upon his arrival, he had to endure the loss of his mother, brother, and sister, which left him heartbroken and in poor financial condition as he bore the burden of their medical expenses and funeral costs from his previous work savings. 

With the limited tools and resources, he had, Samaan was not able to start his own business; he had to work at other blacksmithing workshops to get income and afford his living expenses.

Samaan longed to become independent and have his own blacksmithing workshop, which was achieved after getting support from Hope Center to buy electricity generators and necessary equipment and machines.

Today, Samaan is so grateful because having this project marked a pivotal moment in his journey, enabling him to overcome his adversities, and lightening his path toward self-sufficiency and decent living.

Elias Al-Ghabra is one of the minorities who are still interested in preserving the family profession as he began working in the field of manufacturing convection ovens with his father at a young age in a rental workshop in Jaramana and continued in the filed alongside his study.

The main field of work is manufacturing thermal ovens based on gas after the electric ovens stopped being demanded due to the terrible electricity situation in the country, their work increased and they also started to receive ovens maintenance orders. 

In 2010 Elias was called for military service and the war began shortly after he joined, so he was transferred to serve in Al-Hasakah Governorate until 2019, during which he went through difficult circumstances and faced many dangers. However, on his vacations, he used to return home and help his father in the workshop.

However, as a result of the significant increase in prices in addition to his mother’s battle with cancer and her treatment in Al-Biruni Hospital, their business deteriorated and the expenses became higher than the income forcing them to sell some of the equipment to cover the mother’s treatment expenses.

After Elias was discharged from service in 2019, he returned to work with his father, but the remaining equipment and materials were not enough to strengthen the work and have a proper income to cover the living expenses.

With the help of Hope Center, Elias was supported to purchase new machines to enable this intrepid young man to expand his work which will positively impact his living circumstances and help preserve the family's profession.

Hanna Al-Ajoury 31, resides with his parents and brother Jack, their father, who was employed at the Gas station for 13 years but is currently without work. His brother works as an employee while their other brother, Marhaf, has relocated to Germany.

Before the war, he had worked at his cousin's beverage shop in Zabadani for two years until 2011 when he was called for military service for the next nine years. however, during his military service, he also worked alongside his father at the gas station, to secure his expenses and save some money for the future.

After his discharge from the service, Hanna embarked on a new journey in his life, as he started working as a taxi driver, with the money he saved from his previous work,  got engaged seeking to establish his own family but he was shocked by the huge burdens of living and his endeavors started to vanish.

Seeking assistance from Hope Center in Damascus, Hanna was granted support to purchase a taxi, which significantly improved his life. The newfound independence and stability brought by this taxi helped Hanna support his family and nurture his dreams.

Despite the challenges he faced, Hanna's story exemplifies the human spirit's ability to rise above adversity and create a better reality, one step at a time.

Anastasia Haddad born in 1998, was working diligently as a makeup artist and nail technician, living with her sister Taj in a rented flat in Jaramana after the divorce of her parents as they found solace in each other's company, forming a bond of strength amidst adversity.

Anastasia and Taj's childhood was marked by tumultuous family complications leaving scars that only time could heal. Yet, their determination to carve a brighter future fueled their aspirations and their talents blossomed despite all the challenges they faced.

Anastasia managed to overcome the obstacles by working long hours daily at a Salon in the neighborhood, but the income didn't cover the living expenses and she wanted to expand her work and customers which wasn’t possible with the tools she had, so she decided to apply at the Micro Project program to start her own project.

Supporting Anastasia with a make-up kit including all the necessary tools to start, was a turning point in her life because it enabled her to become independent and enhance her living condition.

George Eskeif, 33 is living alone in a sparsely furnished house in Jaramana while his heart remains tied to his family in Lebanon.

His family's relocation from Idlib to Damascus due to his father's health issues marked a turning point in their lives. George, then a student, saw himself shouldering the responsibility of their household while his father pursued medical treatment in Lebanon.

After completing his military service in 2019, George found himself with no education or experience, so he started working as a taxi driver, hoping to secure a stable income for himself and support his family who was residing in Lebanon as his father was working at a small coffee kiosk, while his brother was working diligently at a snack restaurant. Yet, the harsh realities of life in Lebanon lingered, driving George to ensure his family's well-being by sending them vital medications each month.

full of faith, George applied for the pickup car project at Hope Center seeking financial stability and sustainable livelihood.

the support he got, didn't just offer George financial assistance; it restored his sense of purpose and dignity. It empowered him to support his family while carving his own path to self-reliance and success.

Murhaf Al-Maher 62, is married to Nada Sankari, and the father of two daughters and son. Despite his age and recent health issues, including lung inflammation, Murhaf remained determined to work. His dedication stemmed not just from financial necessity but from a sense of pride in providing for his family and with no hesitation he also supported his daughters; Souryana, while she was pursuing a medical degree, and Rima, who became a music teacher.

In recent years, with his wife's medical expenses and his daughter's university fees looming large, Murhaf had found himself dipping into his savings more frequently. Yet, he remained steadfast in his commitment to their well-being, he kept supporting them through thick and thin, especially during his son-in-law's military service, and had even exhausted his savings to ensure their living. 

Now retired, Murhaf sought to continue working, not just out of necessity and lack of income, but out of a desire to maintain his independence and dignity.

With limited options available due to his age and health, the support he received from the Hope Center to purchase his own taxi, was crucial in ensuring his family's financial stability and allowing them to live with dignity. Despite the challenges he faced, Murhaf remained resolute in his determination to provide for his loved ones, one ride at a time.

Despite life's challenges, Elein Zghaib 28, remained steadfast in her pursuit of a better future. She lives with her family in Jaramana, her father is employed at the Ministry of Education, her mother tends to the household, and her sister, born in 2002, is skilled in nail care and beauty care. Their familial bond was a source of strength as they faced life's adversities together.

Before the crisis, Elein and her family were living in their ancestral home in Dweileh, but circumstances forced them to sell it and relocate. During that period, she graduated from the Faculty of Business Administration then she started working at Syriatel from 2016 to 2020 in marketing and sales. However, the income she got was barely enough to meet her own expenses without being able to provide for the house. Elein sought new horizons in the field of hairdressing and beauty care then she decided to travel to Lebanon in early 2022 seeking better opportunities but low salary and harsh conditions prompted her return after eight months.

Upon her return, Elein continued working as a freelance at various salons, often alongside her sister. She honed her skills through self-teaching leading to undeniable expertise in hairstyling.

With a vision for the future, Elein dreamed of opening her own salon, a joint venture with her sister, and with the help she got from Hope Center, this dream turned into reality.

Today, both sisters are determined to shoulder responsibilities and contribute to their family's expenses, facing life's challenges with unwavering resolve and great hopes.

Mufeed Hejazy, 28, lives with his family in a rented house in Dwallaa. His household consisted of his parents, his elder brother, who works at a goldsmith workshop, and his unemployed sister. Mufeed himself had volunteered for a charitable project in 2020 then he worked at a cosmetic company for two years until it closed. 

Mufeed and his family faced numerous hardships during the crisis in Syria, including his father suffering with chronic bronchitis which was very costly so they sought help from a local charity for the life-saving oxygen machine. Additionally, during the conflict in Maaloula in 2013, his father was kidnapped along with their car, requiring a hefty ransom of money for the release.

Despite the challenges, Mufeed persevered, seeking employment after the closure of the cosmetic company. However, finding stable work was difficult, especially since he didn't have the chance to gain any experience or education degree during his 9 years of military service.

With support from Hope Center, Mufeed was able to purchase a taxi, which formed a fresh start for him, a pathway to financial independence, and a means to navigate life's challenges without relying on others.