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

Barbershop


Mardiros a young barber with seven years of experience, he lives with his mother and bears the sole responsibility of being the family's breadwinner. As a talent in his craft, Mardiros was longing for the security and independence that came with owning his own barbershop. However, the lack of supportive environment and economic challenges of the country left him hesitant to take the leap. He meticulously calculated every aspect, and despite numerous attempts, he remained doubtful as it posed a...


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Photography and design


Nancy Samaan, an ambitious young girl from Tartous, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts and later relocated with her family to Aleppo. Nancy always had a clear vision of her passion for graphic design and poured her heart and soul into her work.

At a young age, in 2018, Nancy started her career as a graphic designer. However, she soon realized that her previous job didn't provide the opportunities she needed to improve her skills and profession. Determined to grow,...


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Electrician


Elias Zerz, is a skilled electric technician. He learned the tricks of the trade from his father, who unfortunately passed away in 2014. Elias gained over 17 years of valuable experience working alongside his father. Now he works in the shop which his father had established back in 1983, specialized in various electrical services. After the loss of his father, Elias faced many challenges, but with unwavering determination and sheer hard work, he managed to open new doors of opportunity.

Seeking...


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Events Decoration


George Shahda is a hardworking craftsman and a father to two adorable children. His work revolves around a unique concept in the domain of event planning and decorations. George used to have a shop in Homs where he began his initial work, but he had to sell his father's workshop to move to Aleppo for university. During the war, he relocated to Lebanon, where he continued working in event planning and decoration.

George strongly believes that with creativity and hard work,...


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Optometry Center


Antoine, an optician specialized in eyewear lens making, has garnered extensive experience over the years. He is an incredibly optimistic man, brimming with energy and enthusiasm. His work holds immense significance for him, as he takes great pride in delivering his work with utmost precision, striving to ensure that it is free from any errors. Since 2000, he has been operating his shop, situated in a mid-density area. While the location might not attract a high volume of foot traffic,...


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Videographer


Jan lives with his parents in their modest house. The father is an employee working at Al-Kalima Hospital, and the mother is a housewife so he is the only provider of income for the family

Jan’s family has been through a lot in the past 10 years; during the war his father got hit by a shrapnel in his waist and a shell hit their building’s roof but, thankfully their house was only slightly damaged. Then his mother got severely infected by...


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Spraying Wood Furniture


Ebrahim’s life hasn’t been easy at any time, gaining money has always been hard; he had to change his job several times because of the poor economic and living conditions. Ebrahim is the only breadwinner for the family, he lives with his wife, son and daughter in the family’s house.

During the war, the family was displaced for four years to Latakia until the area settled and as a result of the earthquake, their house was damaged and they were evacuated

He started...


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Painter


Patricia's dream is to display her paintings in an exhibition

Patricia’s painting journey began as a hobby to fill her leisure time, however it didn’t take her long to be discovered and recognized by her circle and her teachers have always been her supporters.

Patricia lives in a modest house with her mother (a housewife) and her father who is a worker in a printing press in the Sheikh Najjar area with being the only source of the house’s income. Before the...


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Nail Care Kit


Amal lives with her mother and sister. Her father (who is separated from the mother) is not responsible for them.

In 2013, they were displaced from their home more than once because of the war and the high rental prices. Her sister, is currently an employee and her mother is a housewife.

Amal started her career by working for several companies, then she took a nail art course and after that she started working at a Beauty Center for 3 years and...


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Silver Crafting


“Working from young age helped me gain experience and become a successful craftsman” 

Garo is a single man who lives with his parents and his brother who helps him provide for the household.

Garo started working in a goldsmith workshop back when he was only fifteen years old and he liked this profession and decided to continue in it. In 2010 Garo and his brother took over their father’s workshop to increase their income and gain independence, gradually they equipped the workshop...


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Sewing Machines


“Life is full of difficulties, but these difficulties are strengthening me” that’s what Majda said, when she summarized her life.

Majda is 58, she lives alone. She has been working in the field of sewing in so many professional workshops from young age and her journey have started from being a worker for several years all the way to opening her own business. Due to her health condition (knee joint problems) she needs is flexible working schedule.

Her earnings were slightly decreased after...


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Car Tuning Equipment


Sarkis lives with his wife and his mother; his wife is an employee at a school but soon she will take maternity leave because she is pregnant, his mother is a caregiver for an elderly woman.

Sarkis’s profession is car tuning, he started as a worker back when he was in his early twenties in the Bustan Al-Basha area and stayed in the area until it became unsafe and he had to find another job in a safer region, after a long...


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Cosmetics Shop


Sawsan, a wife and mother of two, faced the challenges of her husband's tiring profession in stone cladding, which took a toll on his health. Despite the hardships, he persevered, as there seemed to be no alternative. Witnessing his struggles, Sawsan decided to take matters into her own hands to support their family.

However, fate had other plans when she suffered a stroke, leaving her unable to work or exert herself. Determined to find a solution, she wanted to open a...


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Coffee Shop


After her husband's tragic death, Rimonda became the sole provider for their four children. Working for 8 years in a local coffee and sweets shop, she faced another blow when the shop owner decided to close it. Determined to secure a stable income for her family, she discovered the Micro Projects Program.

Realizing this could be her long-awaited opportunity, she envisioned establishing her own project, especially considering their village, Qattinah, had no other coffee shops. Rimonda applied for a coffee shop that would offer fresh coffee, chocolates, and juice. 

Fortunately, her project was approved, now, as an independent micro-business owner, Rimonda has not only created a source of income for her family, but also ensured a dignified life for them.

Electronic Devices Maintenance


Adnan, a retired electronic engineer living in Fairouza village, faced financial challenges after retirement, relying solely on a modest pension to support his family. Undeterred, he turned to his lifelong passion for electronic devices maintenance, a skill he cultivated since 1995. However, his work was hindered by the severe lack of electricity in his area and the absence of a suitable chair for his tasks.

Adnan, being the sole provider for his eighth-grade son, improved his work when a solar power...


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Sewing Machines


Manal, a skilled seamstress, faced challenges after leaving her job due to the war in Homs, because she couldn’t travel every day between her village Qattinah and Homs city. 

Determined to support her family, she turned to her sewing expertise; despite having old machines, she lacked the means to start her small business. 

With perseverance, she sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program. Today, thanks to this support, Manal has the tools she needs, with renewed hope, she stitches together a brighter days for her husband Bashar and their two children in Qattinah. 

Mini-Market


In Fairouza village, Nassouh and his wife Fahima work side by side, jointly managing a mini-market they established in 2020 to provide for their family. Their younger son seeks better opportunities in Lebanon, while the eldest, resides with them in the village. 

The mini-market offers a variety of food commodities and dairy products. Recently, their thriving business encountered a challenge when the refrigerator stopped due to an unreliable energy supply. The inadequate power led to the spoilage of numerous dairy products,...


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Welding Workshop


Salim's life took a drastic turn with the outbreak of war in 2011. A skilled car mechanic with a thriving workshop in the industrial area of Homs, he owned a house in Al-Sabeel neighborhood and a car. However, when conflict forced Salim, his wife, and their three children to seek refuge in Al-Arman neighborhood, his stable life crumbled.

Jobless and facing the harsh reality of war, he resorted to selling his car for survival. As chaos intensified, their house in Al-Sabeel...


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Floor Tiling Equipment


Rami, a dedicated father and the sole provider for his wife and four children, has been working as a floor tiler since the turn of the millennium. Over the years, his trusty equipment had worn out, and he faced the challenge of frequent electricity shortages, which hampered his productivity in this electricity-dependent profession.

The cost of replacing his equipment and investing in a generator was unaffordable for him, given his responsibility for a large family. Amid the harsh economic conditions of...


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Floor Tiling Equipment


Nidal, a skillful craftsman with over two decades of experience in floor tiling and stone cladding, had always been the backbone of his family in Homs. His wife, daughter, son, and his son's young family relied on his skills for their livelihood.

However, as time went by, his tools and equipment began to show their age. Renewing them became increasingly challenging, with maintenance costs increasing. His work often suffered from the frequent blackouts in the region, causing delays and frustrations. To...


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Dairy Shop


Yolla, a mother of three in Qattinah village, is married to Rasem, a retired employee. The couple and their two unemployed sons, George and Jack, depended on her dairy shop for living. Tragically, the family had already endured the loss of their eldest son, Johnny.

In 2016, she initiated the dairy shop using rented refrigerators, a venture born out of necessity. Over time, these refrigerators became worn-out, maintenance costs soared, and replacement seemed financially impossible. The situation became challenging as she...


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Shoe Store


Dalia, a resident of Qattinah village, became the backbone of her family when her husband's health issues forced him out of work. With a modest salary, she bravely took on the responsibility of providing for their family of four. In 2019, she took a bold step by opening a shoe store, hoping to secure a stable living.

However, economic challenges and tough circumstances hindered her ability to restock the store with goods. Her husband made a difficult decision to travel to...


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Sweets and Pastries


Nancy, a mother of two, faced challenges while her husband Toni served in mandatory military service. Struggling with unsuitable jobs, she discovered her passion for baking. Posting on Facebook, she began taking pastry orders, but as demand grew, her kitchen tools fell short. 

Living in a rented house, her baking venture became the family's main income source. Determined to enhance her skills, she applied to the Micro Projects Program for vital tools. 

Nancy's dedication not only transformed her hobby into a thriving business but also improved her family's financial situation. In the face of adversity, her love for baking became a beacon of hope for a brighter livelihood.

Pizzeria


Aghiad's journey from hardship to success is one of hard work and determination. After his parents' passing, he chose to stay with his sister, while their siblings sought opportunities abroad. A twist of fate struck with a knee injury from a car accident, creating a need for surgery that he couldn't afford. Undeterred, he took on a job as an accountant, in a restaurant and then as a teacher in an NGO, struggling to make ends meet.

His path to success...


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Beauty Center


Jakleen's path took an unexpected turn when the crisis struck and she found herself living with her sister's family. In a cramped rental home, where space was scarce and comfort was a luxury, Jakleen's determination burned brighter than ever.

With her sister Josephine, a diabetic battling her own health struggles, and another sister Deema by their side, Jakleen embarked on a journey through the world of beauty working at a beauty salon trying her best to secure her living during the...


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Taxi


Since he was a child, Naser Al-mhanna suffered from his big size and he had to face many obstacles in his life as a result, but he didn’t hesitate at any time to work hard and take responsibility for himself and his family; he started to work as a truck driver delivering fruits and vegetables between his village to the city of Damascus. During work time, he was exempted from military service because of his big size but he didn’t...


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Beverages Shop


Determined to stay in the country, Wissam Al-Salameh decided to overcome all life obstacles and build his life in Syria.

He is 36, married, and has a lovely son called George. Before the war started, Wissam worked as a Barista in several restaurants in Bab Toma until 2011 when the security situation deteriorated and his work started to worsen so he decided to travel to Lebanon in order to have better job opportunities. He found a job as a gardener and...


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Pick-up Truck


Antoun Haddad is a salesperson in his thirties who lives with his parents in an old Arabic house in Bab Touma. His father works at a Goldsmith workshop and his mother is a housewife, recovering at home after a long suffering from cancer.

He started working as a salesperson in 2018 at Nestlé company but since then, he has been seeking to have his own business so he opened a snack restaurant in Jaramana which only lasted for six months due...


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Taxi


Having a life transformation from stability and security to a life full of dangers and fear is what Marwan and his family have been through during the past years.

For more than 12 years, Marwan has worked at Kabbour company as a private driver, having a good income and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.

However, all of that changed after the outbreak of the war in Syria as the company he was working for was closed, while his house in Kashoul was exposed...


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Taxi


Michel Al-Tarsheh was a happy man, living with his family in a beautiful house in Adraa, Damascus suburbs, having a sustainable income, and enjoying a peaceful lifestyle until 2011, when everything turned upside down.

His first loss began when the armed groups attacked the area they were living in forcing them to flee under heavy shooting without being able to take any of their belongings. After that day Michel’s life changed completely as he rented a small flat in Jaramana for...


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Otolaryngology Clinic


Amjad Doumat's journey is one of determination and purpose, marked by his relentless pursuit of excellence in the medical field. Born in 1992, he embarked on a path that would lead him to become a specialist in otolaryngology.

The newlywed is yet to experience the joys of parenthood, residing in a rented home in Dwalaa. His professional journey began as a resident physician at the Red Crescent Hospital in 2019, following two years of service at a medical center in Jaramana...


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Taxi


Salem Al-Zawahra, 31, is living with his parents and brother in an old house in Kashkoul, he started his life as a hairdresser and stayed in the career until 2013 when he was called for military service, during which he was exposed to several injuries that caused him a back disc and infection leaving him with 30% disability and he was discharged from the service in 2020 as a result of his health condition.

Unfortunately, he was discharged during the coronavirus...


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Mobilephone Maintenance


Fadi is one of the skilled, determined men who works for his living and does not accept to lean on others' support. He is 36, single, and lives with his mother and brothers in a rented flat in Kashkoul. Fadi started his life as a plumber and didn’t mind doing any maintenance work to support his family but in 2012, he was called for military service where he spent the next nine years of his life.

He was discharged from the...


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Auto-Mechanics Workshop


Abdo was still in school when the war started, which affected his educational progress leading him to leave school and work at his uncle's goldsmith workshop until 2015, then when the work decreased, he moved between several jobs trying to handle his expenses and support his parents, but in 2017 he was called for military service so he decided to travel to Lebanon to continue working there because his family was depending on his support to survive.

In Lebanon, Abdo worked...


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Engraving Workshop


For more than nine years, Andrea Khoury worked in gold carving workshops, carrying out his work with precision and perfection for long hours daily trying his best to afford the basic demands of living.

Andrea lives with his parents and siblings in a rented house in Jaramana while he and his brother and sister are working and supporting each other to pass through the current circumstances especially since their father suffered from some health issues and had to undergo heart surgery...


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Sewing Workshop


Milia Daowd's story is one of love and determination. Despite facing adversity, she embodies strength and compassion, caring for her elderly mother and sick brother while navigating life's challenges as a divorced woman.

Born in 1968, Milia's journey took unexpected turns. she got divorced after a short period of her marriage to find herself as the sole provider for her family. With her father passing away and her mother dependent on her care, Milia's responsibilities grew heavier.

Her brothers, Maher and Hussam...


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