Family is what gives you the roots to stand tall and strong, it is the first support unit in times of hardships, Hagop comes from such a family.

Hagop Lutfi used to work in goldsmithing since 1997, despite the fact that he didn’t have his own independent business, but he surely has the skills for the delicate craft.

he has two brothers, one of them was in the military service since the start of the war, he was already in service for 8 years when Hagop was called to serve in the army in 2017, it was the worst timing for such a news, his wife was pregnant after many years of unsuccessful conceiving trials. It was hard for them to have two family members on the fire lines … so his other brother took the action. 

After two months, his brother volunteered to serve in the army instead of him; so Hagop would stay with his family (since there is a law that says if a person becomes the sole provider for the family, he gets to be exempt from the military service). Indeed because of his brother’s sacrifice, Hagop came back home to his wife Mary and newborn son Hovsep.

Although being the sole provider is what saved him, but it has put heavy financial burdens on Hagop’s back. His house is rented, his wife has left her job after giving birth, and his mother lives alone so he has to support her as well, and that is almost impossible with only one salary. 

Hagop wants to work as a taxi driver to increase his income. It is convenient for him because of the flexibility in his schedule, he can work in his workshop and work on the taxi to secure a better life for the whole family. 

The remaining shrapnel in his head is a constant reminder of the vicious war that Roland lived.

The 39-years-old Roland Makdissi was a victim to something he didn’t have anything to do with. in 2016, a mortar shell fell on a building in the same street where he and his wife Salpy live. The positioning of the shrapnel was very delicate, it caused him facial Hemiplegia. The couple consulted many doctors and all of them agreed that leaving the shrapnel inside is much safer than removing it; since the removal procedure contains a great risk of causing more nerve damage.

However, this injury wasn’t the only suffering for Roland, from a young age, he used to own a retail shop for selling car spare parts in the industrial area called Al-Ramouseh, when the war started, it was one of the first targeted areas by the armed groups. His shop was confiscated with all the merchandise in it. It was a great loss for the couple, especially that they were trying to conceive for years and weren’t getting lucky, and all the treatments were costing them a great fortune. Prior to his injury, when he lost his shop Roland took his wife and went to Latakia for two years, while staying there, he worked as a tar machine driver.

But after the injury, his job options were minimized, he couldn’t do anything that would cause a stress on the nerves like the chores that demand heavy lifting or physical effort. That’s the main cause of choosing this career. It is both suitable for his health condition, and at the same time it provides a good income that they really need since the only income for them is his wife’s salary from working in a dentist’s clinic.

Roland deserves to have a chance to increase his income, recover from all the misfortunes that got in his way, and secure an amount which will enable him one day to start over his business in Al-Ramouseh. 

Since 1983, Manoug Hyrabedian worked in cars repairing, his workshop was in Bustan Al-Basha and like all the workshops in that area he was forced to evacuate in 2012, with the start of the war. His losses weren’t only the workshop, he also had machinery there and a lot of materials stored there, none of that could be rescued. For two years the 63-years-old stayed without any work, but the family of four had no other source of income than his son Garo’s salary from working in a retail store for cars spare parts (his wife Nora doesn’t have a job, and Patil; his daughter is preparing for her baccalaureate exams).

After that, Manoug Had to find a solution, he started working with some of his friends for a small profit percentage, but it was better than nothing. The church also helped with occasional food baskets and small financial aids, which was a temporarily support for them, specially that there were other things they had to endure; like the lack of electricity and water cut-offs.

Almost two years ago, the armed groups withdrew from Bustan Al-Basha. The craftsmen including Manoug; had high hopes of returning to their careers and workshops, but time passed by and things didn’t get better, the electricity didn’t come back and the infrastructure hadn’t been repaired. That’s why last year Manoug rented a cosmetic store his older daughter helped him, but for the craftsman it was not something he could success in.

All that Manoug wants is to repair his old workshop and replace the stolen equipment to restart from where he left off, it’s been his profession for 36 years, and it’s what he wants to do in the future.

When you hear Sarkis explain How he manufactures his products (electrical breakers for cars), you can see how passionate he is about his profession. 

Sarkis Habib is a 37-years-old who lives with his wife Vartouhi and their two daughters; Zovig and Rita in their grandmother Zovinar house, he is the provider for all of them. After his father passed away Sarkis kept his father’s workshop working for a long time. He used to spend the majority of his day in the workshop where he put his equipment and tools and he would lose track of time. The process of manufacturing one piece takes a lot of time and effort and lots of steps on different machines, each designed for a specific purpose.

With the start of war, the father of two was burdened with the collapse of the Syrian currency, and the rising living costs. The high material prices made it impossible for Sarkis to invest in new ones, it would make the whole process financially inefficient. He made the hard decision of closing the workshop, and then started the search for a job… 

After a while he started working as a delivery guy for a mini market, and that became the source of income for the family. Although it is helping them to survive but it is frustrating for a man like Sarkis to give up the job he loves and work for others, while his own workshop is closed.

All what Sarkis needs to restart his business is to be able to purchase the primary material needed for the production process, going back to his workshop would mean the world to him, and this will be a new beginning for the whole family.

Charbel Mamo is a 27-years-old young man who went against all expectations and while a great percentage of Syrian youth did everything to leave the country or even wished to leave, Charbel couldn’t stand being away from his family and fiancée so after four years in Sweden he couldn’t wait to come back to his hometown Aleppo.

During his stay in Sweden, Charbel worked in the food business, in a pizzeria place and he excelled that job, on the busy weekends he used to serve up to 600 pizzas a day, his job was the only thing he enjoyed there. 

All the experiences Charbel had gone through and what he learned from his father in sales field, gave him a good knowledge in having a successful project of his own. And despite the diversity of the domains he worked in previously, he knew exactly how to benefit from these experiences when planning for his project. At first, he wanted to open a small restaurant or a pizzeria since it had been his latest job, but the costs are unbelievably high to start such a project from scratch. That’s why he decided to open a retail shop for women’s sportswear and sneakers.

The location of his shop, the decoration to attract the customers, and the advertising techniques all are well planned elements that Charbel have to start a thriving business for years to come.

After his graduation from electrical institute in 2002, Bashar Boulos who’s 31 years old today, started building his career on his own, until he could upgrade his business and rent a shop in 2010. Not much time passed before difficulties found their way to him, soon after the war started in 2013, the industrial factories shut down and since he was specialized in Industrial machinery, he had to switch his job to something more profitable. Thereafter, He worked on a taxi for 7 months, but the shortage of fuel and the high cost of this substance made the earnings barely enough to cover the costs, so he started searching for something else. 

This time he traveled to Lebanon, got a job as a Maintenance manager in a hotel, and worked there for the following two years. In 2015 tragedy struck again, Bashar heard the devastating news of the death of his father, his widowed 68-year-old mother was left alone and he had to come back to Aleppo to take care of her. New hopes are starting to blossom in Bashar’s life, he is engaged now and planning for his wedding in September, and not just only on a personal level but also because the closed factories are re-opening once again even if it is in a slow pace, and customers are coming back to him to repair their machinery parts. That helps a lot but it’s not enough to start a new family while taking care of his mother since his father’s retirement salary is her only modest income.

Bashar applied for an electrical maintenance equipment, which is his field of experience, so he wishes to get back to this job and that would give him the boost he needs to create a better living, and become financially more stable for the new chapter of his life.

The 31-year-old Elias Khawam had it all... with his wife Odet, and their seven-year-old son George, together they make a beautiful small family living relatively a comfortable life. Elias shares business with his father since 1998, in the domain of selling and fixing car parts. But in 2013 everything was about to change, the armed conflict got heavier and closer in Aleppo city, until one day the inhabitants of Sheikh Maksoud area were forcefully dislodged from their homes. Elias wasn’t an exception; he lost his house and two cars. The displaced family refuged to Elias’s Father house in Sulaymaniah, and stayed there for the next 5 years. 2018 brought positive changes, the situation got slightly better in the city, the access to Sheikh Maksoud became possible again. Elias went to see his house there; it was mostly destroyed and stolen. He had to spend approximately 5,500$ to make it habitable again. The high costs of renovation have put heavy financial burdens on Elias, to overcome these difficulties, he needs to invest in more goods, to thrive more and more in business so the family can compensate their losses and improve their future.

In his early thirties, Yacoub Baddosh shares his story with us and his future plans, this young man who lives with his parents had originally studied in the institute of tourism in Aleppo university, and worked in lots of hotels after finishing school. He was making his way in that domain steadily and everything was going smoothly for him until the war started. 

The impact of war in Syria reflected greatly on the tourism industry, the losses were massive, Yacoub found himself out of work and had to find a new job. After a while he started working for the ‘MJO’ in one of their warehouses for the morning shift and in the afternoon, he helped a friend in his espresso coffee shop.

Yacoub and his family are very thankful that throughout the war, they didn’t have any major losses. However, living in a neighborhood like Telefon-Hawaee, where they are an easy target for bomb attacks wasn’t easy at all, neither was the deteriorating economic circumstances; Yacoub’s father retirement salary plus his simple salary combined are barely enough to survive the daily needs. 

Today, Yacoub is planning to open a small shop of his own, in his busy neighborhood to sell espresso coffee and some cold beverages, since he has done this job for many years in his friend’s shop and gained some experience in managing such projects. The income will give him the first push towards improving his financial situation.

Craftsmen are the most people who were affected in the Syrian war. 

Nasri is a 56 years old carpenter, who works mainly in spraying and painting wooden furniture, his workshop was located in Suleyman AL-halabi area like most of the workshops of this kind.

When the war started in 2012, the area was confiscated by armed groups and that was the last time Nasri saw his workshop. It was a rental but the tools and equipment were his, and unfortunately, they were all stolen.

Nasri was left without a source of income, he needed to work in order to provide for his wife Georgette and his 16-years-old daughter Maria. The carpentry business was slow by then in the city, he had to work in anything he could find, so he found a job as a janitor in a building for a while…

At the same time, he started having some health-related issues that escalated quickly, and Nasri found himself in need of an open-heart surgery.

After the successful surgery in 2017, Nasri worked in “George Salem printing house” for one year. When the carpentry workshops gradually started working again, Nasri’s friends supported him to go back to his original craft, he started working with them in exchange for a profit percentage temporarily until he can stand on his own feet, and that is exactly what he wants. 

Nasri and his family are ready to put the past behind them, they survived the years of war, the daily dangers and the destruction of their house, when a mortar shell hit their living room demolishing the balcony and the living room walls, (The Latin church helped with the reconstruction fees). Today Nasri is looking forward for a better future, and all he needs is a little financial help to rent a shop and purchase the needed tools to start off his business.

My name is Salim Ajami, I am 40 years old; I’m married to Georgina Mashek and we have two little boys, Tawfeek is 11 years old, and Elia is 9 years old. We live in Al-Midan area in Aleppo, this area was very dangerous during the war because it was a critical fire line, all our neighbors left fearing for their lives, we used to go down to the building shelter when the children get terrified by the sounds of boming. My main job was a driver in a housing project from 2007 in Sheikh Saeed area, but in 2013, the company closed because the region was under attack, and I became unemployed. After that I worked in selling cigarettes in an area near my house, where I was living, I suffered a lot in this work specially in the winter harsh cold, in addition to the constant fear of being killed by a mortar bomb in any minute. My project is a taxi cab, I chose this job because I don’t have an experience in other fields and working on a taxi will increase my income, I am an excellent driver. My hope is to be able to provide a decent life for my wife and my boys, during these hard times that we are going through.

Michel Shahoud is married to Jannette Gharam, they have one daughter; Sara who is still studying at college. In 2010, his wife got sick with scleroderma and as a result, she frequently loses her balance and she can’t move on her own so she needs constant care from her husband, which makes it difficult for him to leave her alone and go to his work while his daughter is in college. During war, part of their house in Al-Jabryeh was damaged greatly by the shells that were falling near them. Michel worked as a Centralist in the Touristic Hotel from 2002-2011, and also as a receptionist from 2005-2011 in Al-Faisal hotel, but he had to leave both jobs as these hotels closed in the war, he now works with his friend in a real estate office, but this job is not stable at all and the salary is very low. He applied to get a Taxi so he can improve the income for his family and he can control his work hours in a way that he can help his wife in any time she needs him, in addition to the fact that he has a good experience in driving.

It is the best to work in what you love and be good at it.

Ebrahim Hazzouri shares his home with seven other members; his wife Walaa, their four children; two boys and two girls, his mother and his single sister.

Since he was a young boy back in 1997, Ebrahim worked in making handbags, he used to go to work after school hours, before he dropped out in the sixth grade and devoted himself to work so he can help his family especially that his father passed away and left five children without any income, which has put big pressure on the livelihood situation.

The family originally lived in Hanano area, when the war started this area was left without any water or electricity, they left to Tartous but he couldn’t find any job there so they moved again to Damascus and settled for five years, the rent was very high and it was dangerous because of the mortar bombs. One day in 2016, a shell fell and injured Walaa and the children; eventually they were okay but they still have some scars from that horrifying day. 

Ebrahim moved back to Aleppo with his family, they found their house ruined from the inside and everything was broken. They all live now in Maysaloon area, Ebrahim’s brother was recruited in the military service so he became the only provider for the family.

Ebrahim currently works in a workshop, he makes handbags from synthetic leather, he wants to get machinery so he can have a bigger percentage from the profit and the income will improve gradually. It is the profession that he is skilled in and he wishes to continue with the support of this initiative that will help him progress and get his life together again.

Bassam, a farmer from Qattinah village, faced adversity when his irrigation equipment was stolen in 2014 amidst the chaos of war. Living with his wife Nada and their three children, Bassam, a government employee, sought additional income from the family's shared land, a lifeline for five households.

The land, cultivated with olives, grapes, and vegetables, relied on a crucial water well and pond for irrigation. The theft of his equipment jeopardized not only his family's livelihood but also that of his brothers and their families. Undeterred, he turned to the Micro Projects Program for support.

Through the program, Bassam received a mini-cultivator to alleviate plowing costs and essential irrigation equipment to replace what he had lost. This assistance not only compensated for the setback but also revitalized the family's land, ensuring its productivity.

Shadi dutifully served his mandatory military service from 2012 to 2021, a period that took away nine precious years of his life. But the scars ran deeper than time. In 2013, during his service, he fell victim to an armed group's kidnapping, causing a terrifying year of captivity. To secure his release, his family borrowed money, a debt they were still repaying today. The day he was freed from captivity felt like a rebirth, and his heart was full with hope for a brighter future.

Shadi had dreams of a career in computers based on his studies at the computer institute, but the nine years of absence made job opportunities almost impossible for him. His hope rekindled when he applied to the Micro Projects Program for a taxi. To him, this was a lifeline, a chance to have a new start.

With his taxi, Shadi embarked on a journey towards independence. He was determined to leave the shadows of the past behind and build a better life for his family.

Rami, a single man, who lives with his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and their children; Rami and his brother strive to support the entire family.

Since 2017, he has been running a mobile phone shop, but a near bomb incident shattered its front glass. Unable to afford a replacement, he covered it with a nylon sheet. 

Previously working in maintenance for two years, Rami faced setbacks when his equipment broke, preventing him from accepting job offers. Economic hardships encouraged him to attempt a return to maintenance, but the high equipment costs was the challenge.

Upon learning about the Micro Projects Program, he eagerly applied for support. The program provided essential equipment; a solar panel for alternative energy and a laptop for mobile phone programming, alongside the needed glass for his shop. Empowered by this assistance, Rami not only resumed maintenance work but expanded his business. The program alleviated his financial struggles, enabling him to enhance services, boost income, and uplift his family's living standards. 

Akram, a resilient young man, found himself displaced from his home in Bab Al-Sebaa due to the brutal war. Alongside his parents, they navigated through several neighborhoods in Homs before finally settling in Al-Hamidia, renting a new home. In 2019, Akram ventured into the world of printing, advertising, and promotion, learning essential skills from YouTube and honing them through practical experience.

By 2022, he relocated his project to a vibrant neighborhood near the university, expanding its services to include college requirements, souvenirs, and printing. Despite serving the university students, he faced a significant challenge; the shortage of electricity, crucial for his project. 

He heard about the Micro Projects Program, encouraging him to prepare a feasibility study. Armed with the experience needed to run his project, he applied for assistance, specifically seeking a solar power system, a new paper printer, and additional goods for his shop.

His determination and entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with the support from the Micro Projects Program, enabled Akram to continue providing valuable services in the area, ensuring the thrive of his small business. 

Simon faced numerous challenges as a farmer in Al-Maamoura village. As the sole provider for his wife, two children, and elderly parents living with them, he struggled to make ends meet. His almond and olive land needed rehabilitation, but he lacked the necessary financial ability to prepare the soil and plant new seedlings. Determined to improve his family's circumstances, Simon took on additional jobs as an employee and worked at a food shop in the evenings to generate extra income.

Realizing that the key to a sustainable future lay in the revival of his land, he decided to apply to the Micro Projects Program. He believed that with support, he could rehabilitate his farm, cultivate it once more, and create a stable livelihood for his family. Hope filled his heart as he envisioned a prosperous future where he could provide for his loved ones without the burden of multiple jobs.

Fortunately, Simon's application to the Micro Projects Program was approved. With the provided help, he begins the laborious process of preparing his land. Digging holes and planting new seedlings become a daily routine as Simon works tirelessly, fueled by his determination and love for his family.

As time passes, the once-desolate land will become a symbol of hope and resilience. his dedication and hard work will pay off, and the farm will start to yield a bountiful harvest.

With the revitalized land, his income will increase significantly. The rehabilitated farm will become their sustainable source of livelihood, allowing Simon to focus on his role as a father and husband. He will finally be able to provide his children with the quality education they deserve and ensure that his elderly parents receive the care they need.

In Al-Dwair village, a family of four lived together happily and didn’t know the meaning of loss until the cruel war began. The parents and their two sons lived on the bounties of their farmland and everything was going well. 

Today, George, the youngest son became his mother's only family after their life was turned upside down; his older brother Elias was kidnapped and since that day, unfortunately, no one heard from him! Their house was destroyed and they were displaced until the situation stabilized, they waited in hopes that Elias might return, and in 2020, George's father passed away leaving him and his mother alone, they are taking care of their land, which is planted with wheat, barley, and olive trees. 

When George finished studying at the faculty of law, he began practicing this profession with the help of a lawyer. However, during this period, he won't be able to generate an income and his father's land will be his only way for a living.

He applied to improve production and guarantee a decent income, although life was unfair with this family, George is doing his best to ensure his mother a dignified life, hoping for better days to come. 

Mttanos and Ranim, who got married in 2015, built their life together in Fairouza village. With two children, they settled in a rented house, far from the harrowing memories of Al-Qusayr, Mttanos' hometown, which had witnessed the horrors of war.

In 2011, he was called upon for nine years of mandatory military service, leaving his parents behind in Al-Qusayr. Their family's livelihood depended on their land, and their house was severely affected by the war.

When he was discharged in 2020, he lacked any professional experience. He found work as a driver at a carton factory in Fairouza, earning just enough to cover their basic needs. However, he looked for a way to secure a brighter future for his family.

Determined to improve their circumstances, he applied to the Micro Projects Program and succeeded in acquiring a mini pick-up truck. This vehicle not only enhanced his job at the carton factory but also paved the way for a promising tomorrow.

With this new opportunity, Mttanos and his family were on the path to stability, ensuring good living for their children. 

Living in Fairouza village with his wife Rita and their son Mikhail, Ibrahim has always been the provider for his family. However, his life took many turns before he found his passion in motorcycle repairing. 

After trying his skills in various professions, from restaurants to construction, his health issues forced him to seek a change. In 2012, he ventured to Lebanon in search of better opportunities, only to return in 2016 due to life's challenges there. It was then that he decided to become a self-taught motorcycle repairman, acquiring his skills through the internet.

With only some old equipment and the help of his son Mikhail, he set up his own workshop. To ensure a stable source of power, he relied on his brother's electric generator during power outages. 

When Ibrahim learned about the Micro Projects Program, he applied for essential equipment and an electric generator to secure his family's only means of livelihood. With the support he received, his small motorcycle repair workshop continued to thrive, providing a steady income and a better livelihood for his family.

In 2008, Thanaa's world was shattered when her beloved husband surrendered to cancer after a two-year battle. Yet, this was only the beginning of her struggle. When the war started in her hometown of Homs, her family faced great suffering. Their home in Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood was not only stolen but also burned. The heartache intensified as her son was martyred, and it took two and a half months for his body to be returned to the family. All this weighed heavily on Thanaa, who had endured heart surgery and had a fragile heart.

Forced to seek refuge with relatives, she searched for stability in Homs. The local church stepped in to help her and her sons repair their damaged home, allowing them to return. Today, her son Rawad serves his mandatory military service, while her other son, Danny, suffers from a disc condition, as result of his tiring work in floor tiling. His condition barely allows him to work, further straining their financial situation.

Before the war, Thanaa and her husband ran a modest grocery shop, but it was forced to close its doors due to the conflict. Determined to regain her independence, she began preparing homemade food for sale. 

When she saw a poster about the Micro Projects Program, it rekindled a glimmer of hope in her heart. With unwavering determination, she gathered the necessary documents and a project study, and she swiftly applied.

Thanaa's vision is to open a mini-market, taking into account her age and her son's health. With this small shop, she hopes to create a sustainable income source for their family. This project not only promises financial independence but also the opportunity to have a dignified life.

Louay's life took an unexpected turn when a work-related injury ended his 20-year career in floor grinding and polishing. In 2020, he had to sell his equipment and started a small shop, selling frozen chicken, olives, pickles, and barbecue essentials. This was his new source of livelihood for his wife, three children, and his mother.

But adversity struck again when his shop's freezer broke down a year ago, and financial constraints prevented him from purchasing a new one. The electricity shortages left him without any alternative, as he couldn't afford an electric generator.

His hopes were rekindled when he learned about the Micro Projects Program. He saw it as an opportunity to revive his small business. He applied for assistance, requesting a new freezer, a solar power system, and a meat dicing machine to enhance his project.

With the support of the program, his shop was back in business, offering frozen goods, and fresh cuts of meat, with a reliable power source. He could once again provide for his family and continue to serve his community with the products they relied on. Louay's determination and the Micro Projects Program gave him a second chance to secure a better living for his loved ones. 

Bishara, the sole provider for his wife and three children in Fairouza village, faced daunting challenges when he moved from Al-Aalyat. He sold a part of his land in 2022 to start a new life in Fairouza, but encountered a severe water crisis due to post-war conditions in Homs and its villages. The water grid deteriorated, and strict rationing was applied, forcing families to purchase water for daily needs.

Despite his job as a government employee, Bishara's income fell short of his family's growing demands. He saw an opportunity to use his tractor and water tanker to sell water to his community during these tough times. There was one major obstacle; the worn-out tires of his tractor made it dangerous to operate, and replacing them was unaffordable.

He turned to the Micro Projects program, seeking assistance to purchase new tires and restore his vehicle. This simple yet vital support would enable him to provide for his family and offer help to others in need. 

Raising children and taking care of them has always been Ruba’s passion and to fulfill this passion she studied at the faculty of education and then enrolled in several educational courses to help her specialize more in this field and started working as a teacher in Yabrud area in the countryside of Damascus. However, after the start of the war in Syria, the area of Yabrud became under threat, forcing Ruba and her family to move to the city of Damascus where she also took a job as a teacher and volunteered in her spare time to teach children with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, trying to provide the benefit to everyone who needed it.

Deep inside, Ruba was always dreaming of having her own children's care center so she could have a space of innovation, and the ability to improve her financial condition, so she managed to get some help from her father to start her project but the amount she got was only enough for the kindergarten rent and some assets which made her unable to receive many kids and provide them with proper services.

With the help of Hope Center, Ruba was supported with all the tools that will improve the situation of her kindergarten and provide the kids with comfort and a useful environment, in addition to supporting Ruba to have the project that she always dreamt of.

Ayham Almhanna is from Daraa governorate in south Syria, he used to live there with his parents and siblings and was raised to be a self-dependent and hardworking man who started supporting himself and his family from a young age.

Like many of his age, Ayham had to serve in the military service for more than nine years during the Syrian crisis where he had to encounter several dangers in Aleppo and Damascus in addition to experiencing great fear when his brother Nour was kidnapped by the armed groups in Daraa and the family had to pay a ransom of money for his release.

However, after Ayham was discharged in 2021, he found out that the security situation in Daraa was critical and it was impossible to work or have a normal life there so he decided to settle in Damascus hoping for better work opportunities, but with no career of experience Ayham couldn’t find any proper job so he rented a taxi and started working long hours daily seeking to afford his living and send the rest to his family in Daraa which wasn’t possible with the high rent he was paying to the taxi owner leaving Ayham with some money that was barely enough for his daily food. 

With the help of Hope Center, Ayham was supported to have his own taxi hoping to provide this young man with the chance to improve his living and support his family in the village.

Success isn’t always about greatness, most of the time, it is about strong will and hard work.

Like the case of Fares Al-Sbeih who is 29, single, and lives with his family at his uncle’s house in Damascus.

Fares was one of many who became adults during a critical time in Syria, a time of war, destruction, and fear but he didn’t accept to let despair sneak into his heart.

On the contrary, he started working at a young age to handle his own expenses and help with the house demands then when the security situation started getting worse, he decided to travel to Lebanon where he took two jobs a day trying his best to send money to his family.

In 2022, the economic situation in Lebanon deteriorated badly so Fares returned to Syria, paid the military fees, and started working as a taxi driver in partnership with his cousin which wasn’t enough to have a decent living as he had to pay for the car rent and share half the profits.

As the breadwinner of the family, Fares was looking for better opportunities to improve his condition so when he learned about the Micro Project program in Damascus, he didn’t hesitate to apply for the Mini-van project.

Today, after being supported to purchase the Mini-van, Fares started to transport students to their schools, take passengers to the airport, and put plans to expand his work in the future full of determination to succeed in his aims.

For most of his life, Simon had to count on himself to encounter the great responsibilities he was holding as his parents’ health was unwell and he was the breadwinner of the house and the supporter for his four sisters.

As a result, he traveled to Libya at a young age and worked as a goldsmith for about four years, then he had to return to Syria because his father had to undergo Heart surgery and he had to look after him.

Simon worked as a goldsmith until 2011 but after the war began, his profession deteriorated, so he turned to working as a taxi driver working as hard as he could to afford his family’s living.

“I can’t take a day off from work, because the day I don’t work, we don’t eat”

This is what Simon said when he visited the micro project center to apply for the taxi project because during the current economic situation in the country and after becoming a father to a newborn baby, he became unable to pay the high taxi rent and at the same time afford his parents’ expenses. 

Supporting this self-made man to have his own taxi was the best way to preserve his dignity and enable him to earn a better income to handle the increasing costs of life.

“It's really unfortunate when you have everything you dream about to wake up the next day and find it's all gone.

We were living in Alzabadani town in prosperity as we owned land planted with walnut trees, a villa with a swimming pool, a carpentry workshop, and a wood warehouse.

My husband was a carpenter and our financial situation was very good, but all of that disappeared overnight and we found ourselves fleeing under bombing and sniping, with only our clothes on, looking for a shelter to stay alive.”

That's how Lody Nakad 57, summed up her story with deep sorrow.

she lives with her husband and three children in a rented flat in Jaramana city.

This shift in their life was very hard for all of them but they had great faith in God so her husband started looking for alternative careers to afford the living expenses while Lody started working at a clothes company as a seamstress specialized in sewing kids’ clothes. She was trying her best to support her kids and continue their education, resulting in her son Shehadeh studying the specialty of orthopedics, her daughter Ranim studying neurosurgery, and her other son Fadi in the third year of informatics engineering.

together, they were trying to overcome their losses but the journey was hard and full of obstacles, especially under the current economic situation in the country.

Today, after supporting Lody with the sewing machines and tools to establish her own sewing workshop, she started to feel that she restored part of her missing life as she has her own independent income that will enable her to have a better living condition and secure her family's future.

"I feel like I am living as an extra number in this cruel world", it was with great sadness and despair that Hassan said these words.

He is a 31-year-old single man who lives with his mother and brother in an old house in Jaramana. Hassan worked any available job to afford the daily food for his family as his father had passed away leaving him to be responsible for his mother and younger brother.

During the first years of the war, Hassan was called for military service where he was injured by shrapnel in his left arm from a shell explosion which led at the beginning to a complete disability in the arm, but after many sessions of physical therapy, it recovered to 50% of mobility. 

However, as a result of the injury, Hassan was discharged from service, but when he tried to work, he found himself unable to perform many jobs due to his health condition which also affected his psychological situation as he felt helpless because he was unable to cover his family's daily expenses.  he was on the edge of despair, not knowing what to do with his life when the priest told him about the Micro Project program in Damascus and how it supports Christian families.

Hassan didn't hesitate and immediately applied for the pickup car, it was the only project suitable for his health condition, and that provided a quick and good income so that he could cover life’s expenses and improve his conditions.

"This help is what I needed to feel that I am not alone, that someone is standing by my side, and that no matter how difficult things are, the Lord always gives us hope to start again'

Caroline Akkawi is a self-made girl who chose to rely on herself rather than being dependent on others. She is 27 and lives with her parents and her brother Antoun at their grandfather’s house in the Al-Dwalaa neighborhood while her second brother, Basil, is still at the military service in Qatana area, Damascus countryside.

Since her childhood, the financial situation of her family was critical, but she never complained and always thanked God for the blessings in her life, especially since she had a talent for drawing, which prompted her, after she finished her university studies, to learn the profession of makeup and begin working in this field in order to secure her own expenses.

However, during the war, her older brother was called for military service, which affected the financial situation of her family, so she worked as a secretary in the morning, and in the afternoon she received customers at home, trying as much as possible to support her family and secure living expenses.

It was very tiring for Caroline to work two jobs a day and for long hours; she wanted to focus more on being a makeup artist which was her greatest passion, but the materials she used were modest and hindered her from expanding her work.

Through the Hope Center, this ambitious, strong-willed young woman was supported with a cosmetic and makeup kit with all the necessary tools so that she could expand her work and receive more customers in order to achieve her passion, and at the same time obtain a greater income that would improve the living conditions of her family.

Ibrahim could never have imagined the way his life turned out. From being a rock carver for four years, he transitioned into a soldier after he received the call to go into military service for five years.

Serving in the army had been a particularly challenging period of his life, but he had persevered through it.

During his service, he received the sad news that the war had hit their town of Maalola, his family had to move to Damascus till the situation stabilized. After finishing, he rented a small room in Damascus searching for job, he returned to his passion for rock carving; determined to support his family, he worked harder and longer hours to bring home food as he became the sole breadwinner to his parents after his brother joined the army.

The tools he was funded with by Micro-project in Damascus gave him the opportunity to transport his rock carvings across different towns and markets. He no longer had to worry about renting and losing income and can now focus entirely on carving and earning more money to cover his family's expenses.

Ibrahim feels proud of his achievements and is grateful for the opportunity to take care of his family. The tools were indeed a game-changer, paving the way for a brighter future for Ibrahim and his family.

War calamities were tough on everyone, especially those who are still suffering from its impact till now like the case of Mikhael Kousa who was exposed to a shell explosion during his service in Jobar, his entire body was penetrated by the shell’s shrapnel which put him in critical condition as he had to undergo several medical surgeries to survive, but he didn't recover completely which prevented him from living normally or working.

However, when Mikhael was discharged from the service, he tried to take any available job to afford the livelihood demands so he worked washing dishes at a restaurant and tried to work as a taxi driver but he wasn’t able to pay the high taxi rent and working as a dishwasher became tiring for him and the income was very low.

Mikhael became desperate because during the last few months, he and his family were living on support from his family and in-laws and he was in need of having his own source of income, especially after having a newborn baby.

With the help of Hope Center, Mikhael was supported to purchase his own taxi because it was the only project suitable for his health condition and that will form a great opportunity for him to be independent and have a sustainable source of income to improve his living.

Bassem Al-Mousa is 31 unmarried young man who used to live with his family in their small village. His father was blind and unable to work due to his condition, while his two siblings suffered from Joint Erosion and needed a lot of treatment, which forced Bassem at a young age to start working. At first, he worked at a prosthodontic laboratory then began working as a farmer cultivating the land and selling the crops trying to support his family and provide them with a decent life. However, the war quickly overpowered his efforts as he was called for military service, and for the next ten years, he knew nothing but dangers, as his service was in the most severe locations such as Aleppo, Barzeh, and Qaboun.

During those ten years, his family’s situation was greatly affected, as their village was in direct contact with the fights, so they were forced to flee to Damascus and live in a small house in the Al-Dwalaa area, relying on aid from churches and associations.

In 2021, Bassem was discharged from military service, and during that period, his father was diagnosed with skin cancer so Bassem didn’t hesitate to spend the entire amount of the service allowance on his father’s treatment. After that, he returned to working in agriculture and transporting crops from the village to the city, bearing all the possible risks in order to extricate his family from the miserable situation in which they lived.

Despite all the tragedies that Bassem experienced, he was full of faith and hope, and this led him to apply for the pickup car project at the Micro Project Center in Damascus as he was supported to obtain his own pickup car, through which he transported vegetables and goods between the city and the village, which saved him effort and provided him with a better source of income. Hopefully, this project will be an opportunity to improve Bassem's financial situation and help him secure the best means of life for his family.

For a thalassemia patient, Najeeb was full of energy and determination to live like any normal person.

He is 30 years old and lives in an old house in Al-Tabala neighborhood. After he graduated from the agricultural institute in 2013, he volunteered at the SSSD association as a part-time job, then in 2016, he volunteered with the Al-Safina Association for People with Special Needs at the paper recycling center, he also worked as a painting worker at the weekends trying his best to secure a good income.

Despite his health condition, which requires a lot of care and rest, Najeeb did not hesitate to take up a lot of work in order to be self-reliant and afford his living expenses in addition to his medication costs which he was taking daily to stay alive.

As time passed, working at painting workshops started to affect his health condition so he worked as a rented taxi driver which was suitable for his health condition but the income wasn’t enough because he had to pay high percentage to the car owner.

Najeeb was full of optimism when he applied for the taxi project at the Micro-project Center in Damascus.

With the help of Hope Center, Najeeb was supported to purchase his own taxi which was the best project that suited his condition and at the same time provided him with a decent income to preserve his living.

George Bershan was one of the people who lost a lot during the war in Syria; not only his home and his job, but he also lost members of his family, which left him broken-hearted and sad.

George is 31, he used to live in a small village in the countryside of Aleppo and worked as an assistant bus driver on the international road. After the start of the war, their village was besieged by armed groups who started to spread killing and violence all over the area, so George and his family had no choice but to flee, leaving everything behind to preserve their lives. They moved to live in a rented house in the Kashkoul area in Damascus but the area was hit by daily shells and unfortunately, George’s sister was injured by one of them and passed away as a result. 

This incident has plunged the family into great sadness, especially George’s father, who was subsequently afflicted with cancer and died two years later.

George was burdened with sorrows and worries. He had become responsible for his mother and sister and had to protect them, especially during the severe security events in the region. So he decided to move to another place in search of safety. During that period, George worked as a sales representative for several companies. He also worked for a period as a private driver and as a minibus driver, trying his best to afford his family's expenses.

After George visited the micro-project center in Damascus and applied for the Mini-van, he was supported to purchase his own mini-van, because it would enable him to become self-reliant and have the ability to improve his income and provide his family with a decent living.