Micro-Projects is a livelihood-support program which helps family providers who had either lost their livelihood during the war, or aspire to be a productive and financially independent part of the community by starting their own income generating business. By financing their micro-projects, Christian Hope Center is helping Christian families to have a sustainable source of income, through the provision of equipment, machinery and tools. This will eventually mitigate the economic harm caused by increasing poverty and insecurity, preserve their dignity, and alleviate the calamities of war and the economic crisis, which will ultimately preserve the existence of an active Christian community in Syria. In addition to the Micro-Projects supported in Cities of Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, the program also supports families who rely on agriculture as their principal source of income in rural Homs.


702

Aleppo

704

Homs

324

Damascus

Car Electricity


Costantin was building a name for himself in the market and planning a successful career as a car electrician and mechanic, when the war started and interrupted not only his career but also his family's life.

In 2015, Costantin’s house in Al-Suleymanieh was severely damaged by a mortar shell that exploded in the adjoining building causing complete destruction to Costantin’s 5th-floor-apartment, where he and his mother live. However, the biggest loss for the family was the death of Costantin’s older brother...


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Sewing Workshop


Akram, his wife Claude, son Salim and daughter Dalal have witnessed the war in Aleppo and suffered immensely of its consequences. The constantly falling shells during the first few years affected Salim and Dalal’s mental health greatly, the explosions and the horrors pushed them on the verge of a breakdown. Specially when one of those shells hit Akram's car that was parked in front of their building.

Akram’s business was also affected, when his partner decided to leave the country, they...


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Sewing Machines


Saad is a 37-years-old man who chose to make a risky decision of changing his career more than five years ago. Originally Saad was working in retail business, but after loosing his shop and the merchandise in Al-Ramouseh, he found himself without any job for more than two years, he decided to begin a new career in tailoring. He started this path by taking a course to learn everything related to this new domain, then he borrowed his uncle’s old...


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Plumbing Equipment


Just with the start of war, Shadi was called to serve his mandatory military service, Shadi went to his assigned position in Damascus without knowing that this period of his life will extent to over than nine years. 

During those years he went through many hard and challenging circumstances, he overcame many dangers and dodged many explosions, and finally was discharged in April 2020. His wife and two daughters were very excited for their father coming back home, they were united...


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Handmade Christian Sculptures


Not many people have the courage to leave their job and switch to something they love, that is what Gaby did by quitting work in a goldsmithing workshop, to choose a pretty unique field; hand making souvenirs rosaries and religious art pieces. This artisan who is also a father of three daughters, made this change back in 2006, since he was the sole provider of his family that was smaller back then.

Gaby was struggling to provide from his weekly paycheck...


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Coffee Grinder and Espresso


George Korjian (32 years old) is a self-made hardworking man, whom like many Syrians was affected by the exhausting prolonged war.

His bitter experience started in 2013 When George was still single. He used to work in Sheikh Najjar area in a plastic chairs manufacturing factory. This hard-working man was trying to build his future, his daily shift would extend to approximately 18 hours, but George didn’t mind the tiredness, on the contrary his concentrated efforts paid off when in a...


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Car Repairing


Sarkis Najarian (36 years old) used to work with his father in the family’s workshop for car maintenance, when the family business took a hit, Sarkis and his father financial stability was shaken strongly. In 2012, their workshop in Bustan Al-Basha (which they owned since 1999) was destroyed, all the material and supplies were stolen and the family lost their livelihood.

Two long years passed, in that period they remained without a job, living through the hardest times that Aleppo city...


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Computers Maintenance


The wide spread of technology, smart phones and portable computers, made the need for these devices’ maintenance services a necessity. Many people like Essam Ishak entered this field of work relying on the rapid development of this particular domain. At first (in 1991) when he started, mobile phones were the upcoming trend, he cultivated his skills in mobile maintenance, software and program installations, then with the internet availability the laptops were the next wave to catch if anyone like Essam...


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Mobile Phones and Electronics


Mazen Sakkal is a 40-years-old father of two and the sole provider for his family.

With his wife Jina and their two sons; George (4 years old) and William (2 years old), the family lives in Al-Suleymanieh area, they consider themselves lucky that their particular street was considerably safer than other streets during the long war that Aleppo had to suffer from. However, they were not spared from facing losses. 

In 2015, Mazen’s small warehouse, where he used to store his goods,...


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Gear Making Machine


Elia Karam and Antoine Karam are two brothers who decided to retrieve their career and start again at their lathing workshop.

Elia lives with his wife and his son. Antoine is also married and has a son; the two brothers are responsible of providing for their parents.

Before the war the brothers worked at their workshop in Al-Arkoub, but during the war the shop was destroyed so they left it and started a work with a friend of theirs.

Unfortunately, this partnership took...


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Stationery Store


In one of the most beautiful streets in Aleppo, and probably from the most heavily affected areas by war, Nabil Shouha and his mother Soaad live. The old embellished buildings of Al-Azizieh have witnessed a lot of dark days during the war; mortar shells, deadly shrapnel and sniper shots threatened the life of the residents and spread fear among people.

The 33-years-old Nabil with his mother stayed there the whole time despite all the horror and fear, one time a mortar...


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Laser Machine


When you live in a fifth-floor apartment in Al-Suleymanieh area, with no High buildings around you to protect you from the shells you can relate to Aboud sayes’s story.

When Aboud (34-years-old) married his wife Aline few years into war, buying a house was hard for the young couples, one of their relatives felt sympathy towards their struggle and offered them an apartment to live in since the owners had left Syria because of the war and the house was empty...


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Mini-Market


Amany and Khalil, residents of Qattinah village, opened their mini-market back in 2005 in partnership with Khalil's brother, aiming to support their three daughters and son. 

In 2023, the couple had to take the full responsibility of the shop. Unfortunately, this weakened their capital, leading to a scarcity of goods and impacting their income. 

Desperate to save their livelihood, Amany turned to the Micro Projects Program and her application was approved, breathing new life into their mini-market. 

Now, restocked and thriving, the shop stands as their hope of securing a good life for their family. 

Olive, Almond, and Beans Land


In Qattinah village, Elias a farmer and family man, works tirelessly to provide for his wife and three children. 

Between the beans, olive, and almond trees in his precious land, he faced the challenge of soaring agricultural expenses, particularly the escalating costs of plowing that consumed his hard-earned profits. Being the sole provider, he juggled his time between farming and a mini-market job, just to ensure his family a dignified life.

The solution to this problem laid in having a mini-cultivator, an...


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Olive Land


Elias, a husband and father in the village of Qattinah, found himself facing financial strain as he and his wife, Nazha, worked tirelessly to provide for their family. With two sons living in Lebanon, he took on the responsibility of caring for their olive land. The cost of plowing weighed heavily on his shoulders, threatening their main source of livelihood.

Determined to overcome this challenge, Elias turned to the Micro Projects Program for support. Applying for a mini-cultivator proved to be...


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Hairstyling


Nidaa, a retired civil engineer, and her husband, a retired teacher, faced financial challenges as their two sons pursued university education. In 2016, she took a bold step to work in a hair salon, learning basic hairstyling skills. However, due to insufficient income and the inability to work independently, she left in 2020. 

With the deepening economic crisis, Nidaa, determined to contribute to her family's income, decided to utilize her hairdressing skills at home, operating with minimal tools, which proved challenging,...


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Floor Grinding and Polishing


Mamdouh and his wife Faten have faced many challenges since they were displaced from their home village, Al-Dwair, in 2013. With two children, they rebuilt their lives in Al-Arman neighborhood, residing in a rented apartment. 

The loss of their home, his job, car, and motorcycle were a devastating loss. He is a dedicated teacher since 1985, also had a career in floor grinding and polishing since 1976. However, his work was hampered by the lack of electricity and essential tools. The...


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Floor Grinding and Polishing


Nano has been working in floor grinding and polishing since 1995, he faced numerous challenges over the years. With a family to support, including his wife and two children, his primary goal was to secure a stable income.

In 2013, the unthinkable happened, his family was displaced from their home in Al-Dwair village due to the war and forced to relocate to Fairouza village. Amidst the chaos, he managed to carry his equipment with him, a valuable asset he had preserved...


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Sewing Machines


Reem and Gaby, a couple from Qattinah village, faced a challenging journey to parenthood. After enduring 8 IVF trials, Reem was unexpectedly diagnosed with uterine cancer. They returned to their home village, in Syria for her treatment. Despite the financial strain and difficult living conditions, she fought through chemotherapy and radiation, reaching the final stages of her treatment with improving health.

Gaby, working as a DJ, found it tough to make ends meet in Syria. As Reem began her recovery, she...


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Floor Grinding and Polishing


From a young age, Manhal worked alongside his older brother, in floor grinding and polishing during summer season. In 2005, he ventured to Lebanon, where he stayed for five years. But in 2005, he returned to his hometown, Al-Dwair, and embraced a new chapter of his life.

He married Rihab, and together they established a family with two daughters and a son. However, their path took an unexpected turn in 2012 when they were displaced from their home village and had...


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Cotton Clothes Shop


In 2017, Nada's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Disc disease, leaving her unable to continue her work in sewing and clothes repairing. Her husband, Fadi, a retired employee, faced his own health challenges as a tumor paralyzed his facial muscles, requiring continuous physical therapy. 

With their wheat land providing insufficient income, their son Waad took on a job at a sugar factory to support his ailing parents. In a desperate bid to regain financial stability, Nada...


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Hair Salon


Maryam, a mother of three boys living in the village of Qattinah, faced challenges as her two eldest sons struggled with brain-electricity issues requiring special care. Their difficult circumstances and her husband's modest income, led her to the Micro Projects Program aiming to make a positive change. 

With over 19 years of hairstyling experience from her home village Rableh, Maryam's dream of enhancing her business became a reality. 

The program's approval not only empowered her to continue working from home, but also contributed to the family's stability. The support of the Micro Projects Program transformed her dreams into a source of strength, enabling her to provide for her family and face the challenges with resilience and hope.

Handmade Accessories and Makeup


Dalida, an employee at the University of Homs and a mother of two, discovered her passion for crafting handmade accessories. What started as a hobby turned into a source of income, prompting her to dream bigger. 

Desiring a shop for her creations and cosmetics, she faced financial constraints. Her husband, juggling roles as an employee and a farmer in Qattinah village, the couple had a shop near their home that they couldn’t make a use of due to the high costs. 

Dalida...


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Packaging Materials Shop


Lina and Ghassan, parents of two in Qattinah village, faced adversity when Ghassan who is an officer, was shot in the back during the war, left unable to work, forcing Lina to sell their toys' shop to cover medical expenses and support the family. 

When Ghassan recovered, driving a taxi wasn't enough, so the selfless mother envisioned a way to utilize their old shop within their home to start a Packaging Materials Shop. Financial constraints appeared until Lina discovered the Micro Projects Program. 

Fueled by hope, she applied for the shop, aiming to provide nylon, carton, and plastic products. The program became their lifeline, offering a chance for the family to rebuild and secure a sustainable future. 

Sewing Workshop


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Mobile Maintenance


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...


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Plumbing Workshop


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...


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Nuts Shop


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Detergents and Plastics Store


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...


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Mini-Market


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...


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Carpentry Workshop


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...


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Mini-Market


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...


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Hairdressing Salon


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...


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