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 significant risk.

Having endured the frustration of earning minimum salaries while working for others, Mardiros knew he needed his own equipment to establish his resilience. Mardiros had an idea to minimize the cost of rent, Mardiros's current barbershop decided to offer him the opportunity to rent a chair in their salon for his own customers. This arrangement enabled him to reduce rental expenses while still generating a steady source of income.

With the approval from the Hope Center, Mardiros received an incredible boost in confidence and support. Finally, he could embark on his journey towards independence. The burst of hope and opportunity provided by the Hope Center gave Mardiros the courage to chase his dreams, ensuring a brighter future for himself and his family. 

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, she embarked on a new job that allowed her to explore photography, expanding her abilities and opening up diverse avenues in graphic design. She delved into areas like social media content creation and product advertisement.

After gaining five years of experience in the field, Nancy desired to work independently, driven by her longing for financial independence. She planned to achieve her goals step by step and began by building an impressive portfolio of her work, which earned her positive feedback from customers who admired her talent and expressed a desire to collaborate. Nancy leveraged social media platforms to showcase her work and gain recognition in the job market. With unwavering confidence and fearlessness, Nancy's ultimate dream career was to become an interior designer.

However, the unavailability of a laptop became the only obstacle hindering her success; One day, while working from home, Nancy's laptop suddenly stopped functioning due to a surge in electricity, resulting in the loss of all her files and documents.

Standing as Nancy's number one supporter, her mother is immensely proud of her daughter's determination and unwavering belief in her abilities. With the support she received from the CHC team, Nancy regained her confidence with her new laptop and took the first step towards realizing her dream and unleashing her boundless creativity to pursue a fulfilling career.

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 to enhance his skills and elevate his work, Elias realized that he needed to upgrade his tools and equipment, a venture that proved to be quite costly. His proficiency lies in home electricity wiring. He currently shares a home with his mother and brother, who is also studying to become an electrician. 

One obstacle that continues to hinder his progress is the outdated equipment he currently has. As the sole provider for his family, Elias primarily relies on his own efforts, occasionally receiving assistance from his brother. Elias is always eager to utilize the latest technology and tools in his work, such as an electricity generator. This would greatly benefit him, especially when he travels to rural parts of Aleppo where access to electricity is non-existent. With a reliable generator by his side, Elias would be able to work at a faster pace and fulfill the electrical needs of those remote areas.

After receiving approval from the Hope Center, the aid has alleviated numerous challenges and provided a much-needed boost to Elias's determination. This support enables him to continue striving for excellence in his craft and fulfill the responsibilities he shoulders for his family and the communities he serves.

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, anything is possible. Despite the impact of the war on Aleppo's economy, George refuses to be limited. His specialization lies in crafting decorations, such as display stands, backdrops, and table decorations. He works with a variety of materials, including wood, paper, mirrors, foam, and resin, with wood being his primary choice.

For three years in Syria, George initially relied on carpenters for required work, but he eventually realized that he preferred to handle everything on his own. Thanks to the Hope Center, George was able to save time and become more self-dependent, which will help him improve his income and secure a better life for his lovely family.

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, Antoine's reputation has managed to draw in customers. Prior to opening his own shop, Antoine had worked at a renowned eyewear company called "Abd el Samad" in Aleppo, where he honed his skills.

Like every Syrian, Antoine experienced loss during the war years. His wife, a retired teacher, resides with him and their son, Fadi. Their older son and daughter had left the country and traveled abroad. Antoine's aspiration was for Fadi to learn the optician profession, passing down his knowledge and experience to his son. By doing so, he hoped to encourage Fadi to stay in the country, establish a stable income for himself, and contribute to its growth.

In 2014, a tragic incident occurred that disrupted Antoine's plans. While attempting to start the machines by running an electricity generator, an accidental electrical mishap caused a fire that destroyed his entire shop. The situation was terrifying, leaving a deep scar in Antoine's memory that he still carries to this day. As Antoine grows older, he finds himself confined to his house, grappling with a sense of purposelessness that has taken a toll on his mental well-being. However, despite all the misfortunes, Antoine's optimism shines through. His infectious smile continues to fill the room, even in the aftermath of such hardships. 

With the support Antoine has received, he has finally found his rightful place, indulging in the very thing he loves and, above all, ensuring the well-being of his family while guiding his son. In moments when hardships weigh heavily on our shoulders, recovery and resilience pave the way forward. It is for this very reason that Antoine believed in these principles and got the appropriate support to help him overcome any obstacle thrown his way.

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 the coronavirus and after her treatment she was no longer able to open the shop.

Jan’s career begun as an electrician, he worked in this domain for more than four years but his income started to drop due to the harsh economic conditions that were impacting the city thus he was forced to change his profession. 

He decided to become a videographer and started learning the profession by working with several videographer, and now he can work on more than four types of cameras.

After he has been funded, Jan is ready to start fresh after having his own computer and camera. 

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 his professional career as a furniture sprayer and worked there for two years, then went to military service for other two years, from 1991 to 1996 he worked in a grain factory, after which he worked for a year in furniture spraying, After that for 18 years he worked in the field of spare parts. 

During the family stay in Lattakia, he worked in a plastic siphons factory, and after their return to Aleppo in 2019, he returned to work in the field of spare parts and returned to his main profession; furniture sprayer as a worker; but because of the shop owner’s travel he remained unemployed. lately, he has been working in a factory in the Sheikh al-Najjar area.

Ebrahim has had enough of being a worker during his life and now, after he got the approval from Hope Center, he utilized his empty house which was affected by the earthquake for his work, now he can provide a better income and livelihood for his loved ones.

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 war he used to own a printing press unfortunately the equipment was completely lost and stolen.

She participated in many exhibitions, including an exhibition in Damascus, which had the greatest impact on the request of her paintings by clients, but she did not want to sell because of her desire to create her own exhibition and start working through it. She's planning to homeschool her students; she's got some students ready for the summer.

The Micro Project program allowed her to improve her work by providing the required tools and materials, now Patricia will use her skill to make good income and teach basic painting mechanisms to the interested and talented students. 

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 left work there due to long working hours and little salary. Then she went to work for three months doing manicures.

After working in several centers, she resigned and allocated her room for work and bought a simple kit. Lately, the shortage of the needed tools has become a major obstacle. So, she started working with gelish, eyebrow tattooing and skin cleansing. She has clients and became well known.

Amal wants to open her own workshop at home and through the Micro-project, she will be able to provide a good income for her family.

“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 with all the necessities but they were missing one of the most essential machines in their line of work, which led them to need other workshops in order to complete their work, but this dependency cost them a lot of money that’s what made them seriously think of a fast and secure way to provide that machine.

Thanks to Hope Center, now Garo and his brother have the needed machine which helped them reduce their expenses to the bare minimum and now they save a lot of money which enables them to fulfill their family’s needs and daily expenses.

“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 she prioritized her health over her work and decided to work part time, because she needs rest which is nearly impossible if she stayed as a worker.

Like many other strong women, who know nothing but relying on themselves. She found the solution in opening her own business at home. She will take work from the workshop she used to work with and some acquaintances.

Today, thanks to the funding from the donors, Majda bought the essential sewing machines that saves her time and effort.

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 search he found a job where he is working now.

During the war the family house was damaged by bomb shrapnel and the parish helped them restore it, unfortunately after the earthquake their house got damaged again and they left it and stayed in a church hall. When they returned home, they had to face yet another shock as the house was robbed.

The responsibility of becoming a father is huge therefore Sarkis decided to rent a workplace because he wants to gain independence and take care of his family’s everyday expenses and his newborn baby’s needs.

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.

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. 

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. 

Reem and Michel, along with their three children, have always called the peaceful village of Qattinah home. In 2016, she embarked on a journey to uplift her family's life. She transformed a humble room in their house into a small stationery shop, determined to provide support for her husband, Michel, whose work as a blacksmith offered limited opportunities.

Although her store was modest, lacking advanced equipment like printers and laptops, it stocked essential stationery supplies. Her dedication and hard work shone through as she sought to secure good living for her children.

Recognizing the importance of her efforts, she took a courageous step. She applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance in obtaining the equipment her store needed and resupply its inventory. This support was not just about the shop; it was about safeguarding the lifeline of her family's livelihood and ensuring her children's dreams had a chance to flourish.

With the Micro Projects Program's help, Reem's small store blossomed, providing not only for her family but also offering great services to their entire village. 

With a passion for floral artistry dating back to 1998, Jawhar worked for various florists until 2012, when he realized his dream by opening his own shop in Al-Hamidia. However, the onset of war forced him to close his beloved shop. Undeterred, he reopened in Al-Arman later that year, only to face adversity again as half of his equipment became unusable.

Living as a single man with his mother, Jawhar faced the challenge of constantly needing to renew his decorating equipment. The soaring prices of artificial flowers, stands, and wooden decorations made it increasingly difficult to meet his customers' demands.

Fortune smiled upon him when a friend in the same field introduced him to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, Jawhar was able to acquire the latest decorating essentials. Now, he can provide his customers with fresh and unique designs, free from repetition. 

Labeeb's life took a tragic turn when war ravaged his neighborhood, Bab Al-Sebaa in Homs, leaving his family displaced and their home in ruins. A once working floor tiler, saw his livelihood crumble as his essential equipment was stolen, and he couldn't afford replacements. Undeterred, he borrowed tools to continue working, but the lack of electricity further complicated his situation.

For over two decades, his craft had been the cornerstone of his family's living, providing his wife and two beloved daughters with a dignified life. Despite the adversity they faced, he has always had hope for a fresh start.

That opportunity arrived when he applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the support, Labeeb aimed to regain the essential equipment and regain his independence. It was a chance to breathe life back into his beloved profession and secure a brighter future for his family in their rented apartment in Al-Adawia neighborhood. 

Anas, a determined young man, faced numerous challenges on his journey to success. Leaving school since the ninth grade, he entered the worklife to support his family consisting of his parents and sister. He tirelessly worked at various pastry shops, gathering valuable experience over the years.

In 2022, he realized his dream of opening his own pastry shop in Al-Adawia neighborhood. Despite the initial hurdles, he managed to purchase all the necessary equipment with the help of some relatives. Unfortunately, the cost of an electric generator remained out of reach, as he was struggling to repay the shop's debts.

Facing rising rental costs, Anas relocated his shop to Al-Hamidia neighborhood in 2023. However, the persistent electricity shortage continued to hinder the productivity. 

He applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance, and his prayers were answered. He received an electric generator. With the newfound power source, Anas and his family now work together more efficiently, ensuring the success of their small business.

Anas's hard work and the support he received have allowed him to provide for his family independently, hoping for a better days to come their way.

Mahasen, a young and creative graphic designer, has always been known for her unique style in crafting souvenirs. With four years of experience, she specializes in transforming her sketched characters into beautiful small figures. Mahasen, who works from her home, balances between her artistic passion with her role as an employed architect at a company. She lives with her parents and two sisters in Al-Sabeel neighborhood in Homs.

However, she faced significant challenges that hindered her work. Her laptop's decreasing capacity couldn't keep up with her demanding tasks, leading to delays in delivering her projects to clients. Moreover, the big issue of power shortages in Homs, made it even harder to meet deadlines. Her digital drawing panel, a vital tool for her craft, also became worn out. 

In an attempt to overcome these obstacles, Mahasen applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, she received a brand-new laptop, a reliable battery, and a new digital drawing panel. These essential tools not only rekindled her creativity but also allowed her to support her family during these challenging times.

Fadi's life took a drastic turn due to the war in Homs. Forced to flee Al-Hamidia, his family settled down in Fairouza village. Fadi, once an employee in a quality control department, lost his job in 2011 when the war disrupted everything.

For years, he moved from one job to another, just to make ends meet. His determination led him to learn the gypsum board craft in 2020, where he mastered the skill. His engineering institute degree and AutoCAD experience further fueled his ambition, but the lack of equipment held him back from independence.

In 2023, Fadi decided to change his destiny. He applied for the Micro Projects Program, hoping for a chance to get his equipment. With this support, he could finally take control of his life, work independently, and provide for his family. 

Hadi, a devoted husband to Minas and a loving father to their baby boy Toni, faced financial challenges living with his family; his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces. His journey began when he completed his 10-year mandatory service and ventured into the world of floor tiling alongside his brother, despite having no prior experience.

Dreaming of a brighter future, he aspired to create opportunities for his family. However, his limited financial resources were a constant hurdle. Then, a friend introduced him to the Micro Projects Program, a beacon of hope.

He seized the opportunity and applied for a mini pickup truck, a project in itself. With this vehicle, he could transport and distribute goods, promising a steady income for his family. It was a small yet significant step towards achieving his dreams.

As Hadi embarked on this new path, his determination and the support of his loved ones would be the driving force behind his journey to provide a better life for Minas, Toni, and their big family. 

Like most of the youth of his age, Majed spent the last decade serving in the military service, facing dangers, and losing years of his life without being able to work or gain experience.

Majed Alsweiry is 31 and lives with his Mom in a Kashkoul area as his brother is still serving the military in Aleppo and his sisters are married.

Before he was called for service he was working at a Cocktail and sweet shop but during the service period he was a driver which gave him good experience in the field so after his discharge he tried to work as an accountant at a snacks restaurant in Damascus but the income was quite low comparing the increasing costs of living especially since he was responsible for his mother.

With the help of the micro-project program, he was supported to have his own taxi considering his good experience in driving and his long service period, hoping that this project will help him to compensate for the previous years in order to have a decent living.

Ramy Ahwash is 51, married to Maya Al-Messber, and they live in an old rented house in Bab Touma area.

He started working in marketing and sales since 1990 and for 15 years he worked in Al-Nuaimi Company as a sales manager and warehouse officer in Al-Yarmouk camp.

However, after the start of the war in Syria, the armed groups entered Al-Yarmouk camp and spread violence all over the place, which made Rami unable to enter the area and take his stored goods then he was informed that the entire warehouse had been stolen, which made him lose all that he worked for in the last years. soon after, the company itself Went out of business due to the lack of security in the country, making Ramy jobless but he didn't hesitate to change his career and work as a school mentor with a low salary just to provide his daily food.

In 2018, he decided to quit his school work and return to working as a sales representative moving between several companies and looking for a better income but most companies used his sales skills without giving him any percentage of the profits so he felt a great injustice because he was not rewarded with a salary worthy of his hard work.

With great self-confidence, he applied to the Hope Center asking for support to have a closed Suzuki saying:

"I know all the markets, the traders, and the companies, I can sell anything to anyone" 

His vehicle will lead to an increase in income and an improvement in his living.

It is never easy for any woman to raise two daughters alone and look after her old-sick mother at the same time especially during wartime and troublesome conditions, but Randa Kazko was strong enough to defeat all her circumstances.

Randa is 55 years old, divorced, and has two daughters Sandy born in 1992, and Christine born in 1995.

Before the war, Randa was living in Saydnaya with her husband and daughters, she used to work at the monastery in cleaning and cooking in order to support her husband with the house demands, but after the beginning of the crisis, she moved to Damascus with her daughters, learned the profession of nail care and beauty, then she started to work at many salons to gain an experience. Randa was good at her work, and everybody loved her so her work started to increase and she gained many customers daily. During that period, her daughter Sandy got married and had an adorable baby but things didn't work out with her husband so she got separated from him and returned to live with her mother which added to Randa's responsibilities especially since her mother was sick and she was taking care of her and her medication costs.

Randa was doing her best, working at Salons, doing additional work at customers’ houses, and giving training sessions for new trainees. she was aiming to have her own center where she has her materials, tools, and a place to train but that was difficult to achieve during the current conditions so she turned to the Micro-projects center in Damascus asking for support. 

Today, after being supported to have her own Nails Care center, Randa is more than grateful because for the first time, she feels independent and comfortable doing the work she likes without having to share her income with anyone else and at the same time have the ability to improve her job and secure good life for her loved ones.

Louai is a hardworking individual who was raised by his mother in a small, rented house. Unfortunately, Louai's mother had health issues, and she had to cut a part of her foot. She needs another surgery to amputate the other foot because of diabetes, but unfortunately, they can’t afford it.

In 2009, Louai got injured while he was working. The nerve in his hand was affected, and he lost the ability to continue his career with electricity, even after treatment for two years. It was a difficult time for Louai and his mother as they struggled to make ends meet.

Louai knew he needed to find a new job to support his family. He started working with electronics sales in multiple shops for low salary. For years, he worked hard and saved every penny he earned but life was getting harder by each passing day.

With the support to purchase all the supplies he needed by the micro project in Damascus, Louai's shop is now up and running. He is finally able to work and grow his business. He will work tirelessly every day to ensure his shop will be successful and make enough money to provide for his mother's medical care.

Despite all the challenges he faced, Louai never lost hope or gave up. He was determined to create a better life for himself and his mother. His perseverance and hard work paid off.

“I was born with speech impediment, which formed a great obstacle since my childhood and prevented me from doing many things in life, such as completing my education or having a decent job”

With great effort, George was able to share these touching words with us.

He is a 26 single, and heartbroken young man. Since he was a child he had to face difficult obstacles due to his speech disability which forced him to leave school and start working to afford the family's expenses since they are living in the village and suffering hard financial conditions.

George traveled to Lebanon in 2019 where he worked in delivering stationaries to libraries, in 2021, he returned to Syria and started working on an old pick-up car in delivering goods to support himself and his family.

Unfortunately, due to an engine failure, and its high maintenance costs, George couldn’t continue working and had to sell his car at a low price and became jobless.

He tried to look for other jobs but it was so hard for him to work for any employers due to his disability and the only solution that would take him out of this state was to have his private work so he applied to the micro-project program for a pick-up car depending on his former customers and good knowledge of prices and products.

Today, after the fund, George restored an important part of his dignity because he is not forced to work for anyone and face the difficulties he used to have before. on the contrary, he got the hold of his job and life.

"We were displaced from our village in Homs to Damascus countryside, lost our house and work, and had to start from zero in a different place and difficult condition"

This is how Elias summed up his story in the past years of war. 

Elias was living with his wife and kids in a small village called Alqraiteen in the countryside of Damascus, he was working as a goldsmith doing all the stages of gold manufacturing in addition to working as a gold seller.

They weren’t living in luxury, but they managed to live decently, that was blown away with the first years of the crisis as the village was surrounded by the armed gangs which made Elias lose his workshop and the gold pieces he owned. Moreover, during the incidents then they were displaced to Jaramana town in the countryside of Damascus.

 Elias was determined to take care for his family so he started to work at a gold workshop not minding being an employee after all those years of experience because his main concern was providing his family the basic living demands.

His wife also started to work too in order to support her husband within the difficult circumstances they were facing but the increasing costs of living made it very hard for Elias and his wife to cope and they had to look for an alternative solution to improve their living.

With the help of the Micro-project program, Elias was funded with all the tools and equipment to have a gold manufacturing workshop where he could have his own space to increase his work and have better income hoping that this project will be a turning point for Elias and his family.

Fady has always believed that if he wanted to do something, he would find a way no matter how hard the circumstances were.

He is 32, married, and has two little daughters Mira and Mila. He lives beside his parents and younger brother in Al-Dwallaa neighborhood, his parents are retired and his brother is still at university which made Fady responsible for their living.

Fady graduated from Communications High School in 2008 then he got employed at the Ministry of Oil as a guard and at the same time he registered for the first year of Law college seeking to become a lawyer.

He was so determined to work and study at the same time so he could afford the living expenses for his family and continue his education.

Unfortunately, at the very beginning of the Syrian crisis, Fady was called for military service until 2019. These nine years that were taken from his life didn’t prevent him from achieving his goals so after his discharge he returned to his previous work as a guard, had a part-time job as a warehouse guard, and continued his education until he graduated as a lawyer.

Fady wanted to change his career and improve his conditions but he was unable to quit his job despite the low income because he was the breadwinner of the two families and being jobless will affect his situation.

However, he never made excuses for his poor situation and was always trying for the best so as soon as he heard about the micro-project program in Damascus, he applied for the taxi project which he considered a direct source of income that will help in improving his living condition and be a supported project for any future success in his life.

Being a driver is the only job that Maher has ever known, at the beginning of his twenties, he traveled to Lebanon and started working as a private driver at Al-Fursan organization for Disabled People, his income was good enough to provide him with a decent living, and save some for his future.

However, as a result of the crisis in Syria, his mother and siblings fled to live with him in Lebanon depending on him for all their expenses which majorly affected Maher’s financial situation.

In 2018, the situation in Lebanon started to deteriorate and Maher lost his work with the association and became unable to drive in Lebanon.

Maher decided after all those years to return to Syria where he rented a small house in Altabbaleh area in Damascus and started to work as a taxi driver hoping to restore his previous life.

During that period, his brothers traveled to Sweden and his mother returned to live with him as she was diagnosed with cancer and needed to be under intensive care and costly treatment which was out of Maher’s ability to handle.

With the help of Hope Center, this self-made man was supported to have his own taxi which will help him restore his independence in work and provide him with a sustainable source of income to improve his living condition. 

Wissam had always been a hard worker. It was something that had been ingrained in him since childhood. His parents had both passed away when he was young, leaving him to fend for himself. But that didn't stop him from succeeding in life. After years of working as a sewing apprentice, he had eventually become a work partner in a small sewing workshop.

Things were going well for Wissam and his family until tragedy struck. In 2001, his partner passed away, leaving everything behind to his family. Wissam was left with nothing, not even a part of ownership in the workshop. He had to start from scratch again.

He worked in multiple workshops thereafter, but the salary was never enough to meet the family's needs. It all came to a head when his son was diagnosed with epilepsy and autism. The medical care and medication that his son needed were expensive, and Wissam had to sell the sewing machines he owned just to make ends meet.

It was a difficult time for Wissam and his family. But they never lost hope. Thankfully, the tide turned when he got funded by a micro-project in Damascus, he was finally able to buy all the tools he needed to open his own workshop.

It was a dream come true for Wissam. he had a small house, but it was enough to start a new business and improve his standard of living. With his own workshop, Wissam could now afford to pay for his son's medical care and medication. He felt grateful for the support that he received, and he promised to do his best to make his own business thrive.

Wissam's story was a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. He had gone through tough times, but he never gave up hope. And in the end, things had turned out for the better. He could finally provide for his family and help his son. 

Fouad Sioufy is 26 years old and lives with his mother and brother in a rented flat in Jaramana, his mother is an employee at Alzahrawi Hospital and her salary is very low and his brother is still in the first year of Business Management college.

Since his childhood, Fouad and his siblings used to see their parents fighting, and soon after his father left the house and ignored all responsibilities toward his family and kids which forced Fouad to be the man of the house since his teenage.

When he became 19, Fouad worked in a restaurant for two years then decided to learn about Mobile maintenance, and at the same time he started studying at the psychology college, Fouad soon became very good and had his own customers.

During his study period, he kept working in mobile phone maintenance with a friend of his in Sednaya and was trying his best to secure the house demands; pay the house rent, and help his siblings to continue their education but unfortunately, in 2018 he was called for military service and stayed in service until 2021.

After his discharge, Fouad started working with his friend at a mobile maintenance shop for a 50% percentage of profits, which was not enough to afford the increasing costs of living.

Fouad felt that it was time to be independent in his job and get his own income so he came to the micro-project program in Damascus asking for support.

With the help of Hope-center, Fouad was supported with all the tools and equipment needed to write a new page in his life and fill it with achievements and success, hoping that this project will help in securing this determined man with a brighter future.

At the age of 67, Antoun was still fighting against life difficulties as he was forced to work day and night so he could put food on the table at the end of the day.

For most of his life Antoun worked as a driver on different vehicles and gained a lot of experience, he was determined on providing his family with good living and tried his best to secure their future.

Unfortunately, such an aim was not available in his condition as his son, George, has undergone seven bowel operations since his birth and he is unable to do hard work while his other son Joseph was discharged from military service after being hit on the head during an armed conflict at the service period. Joseph was diagnosed as being under psychological trauma and in need of costly and continuous treatment which Antoun couldn't afford.

On the other hand, his wife’s health has also deteriorated and became in need of constant medication.

Antoun found himself after all those years of work in difficult financial conditions and unable to afford the treatment costs of his son and wife or even afford the basic needs for his family.

He was in desperate need of support; so with great faith in his heart, Antoun visited the micro-project center in Damascus and applied for the taxi project.

indeed, his request was approved as he was funded to have his own taxi hoping that this project will be the chance to enhance Antoun’s life and help in improving his family’s conditions.

For more than 30 years, Farhan Alkhalil was driving around streets day and night, trying to cope with changing circumstances and provide his kids and wife with the best living conditions.

Such endeavors might be easy for many, but surviving was the main issue that all people sought in Syria during the past few years.

Farhan Alkhalil is 56 years old; he was married to Georgina Harrouq but they got separated six years ago. He has two sons Jerios born in 1999 and Fadi born in 2003. Farhan has been working as a taxi driver since 1992, taking 30% of the profit from his work and the rest going to the taxi owner, making it difficult during the past years and the increasing costs of living to make improvements or save any money as his income was barely enough for daily food.

However, what made things worse for Farhan was that his son Jerios was called for military service in 2018 and he is now serving at the Syrian-Iraqi borders under difficult conditions while his other son Fadi suffers from Bone growth shortening which formed a huge obstacle in his life and made him in constant need of medication so he started to work as a waiter to support himself and help his father with the house expenses.

Farhan and his sons were living in a humid, dark flat that lacks the most basic necessities of life but that didn’t prevent him from waking up every morning to start a new day full of faith that good things are coming.

After supporting Farhan with the Taxi he restored his determination to work because he knows now that he is independent and no one will share with him his hard work, which enables him from increasing his efforts and making improvements in his life.