Zohrab is a young man who had to face life's hardships at an early age, he left his education and started working when he was only 15 years in mobile and computer maintenance, to help his parents provide the daily needs.

He worked in this domain for about 4 years. He also worked as a vendor in a pharmacy for one year, then as he became 18 he was called for military service. Zohran spent the next ten years of his service in the electronics section, gaining experience in this field.

After the service finished, Zohrab submitted for an electronics maintenance course to improve his skills and follow the fast developments in this domain. He earned the certificate with an excellent degree. But he didn't have a personal laptop, so he started using the one in the clothes shop that he was working for to fix mobile phones.

Due to the hard living conditions, all the family members had to work to provide a decent livelihood, especially after the father passed away due to a heart attack, after all of the stress he went through trying to get a visa for his family, but only the younger brother was able to get the chance and travel to France.

Despite these harsh circumstances, Zohrab refused to give up. Instead, he focused on his goal of initiating his own maintenance work, so he rented a place with the church aid and applied to the Hope Center to purchase the needed equipment to become a freelancer and ensure a better livelihood and more stability of his business. 

Elias the owner of a car mechanics workshop who has been working in this field since 1985, gaining the skills and building good reputation in the industry. For two decades, Elias who is forty now has been the sole provider for his family who depended on him for their daily bread. 

Like any business this workshop was hit hard by the economy, Elias thought it was best to sell it and seek another opportunity abroad, but three months later he came back home regretting his decision but unknowing how to start over now that his business is all gone. Unfortunately, that loss was only the beginning, hardships were about to arise with the start of the war to make Elias' goal to regain his business even harder. 

The devoted man was willing to try everything; he worked in machine maintenance, selling fuel, he even worked as a driver for a private company; a job that turned out to be more dangerous than he ever imagined. While driving on his usual route, Elias found himself a victim of armed robbery and kidnapping that he miraculously outlived.

Losses burdened Elias' shoulders, but they never succeeded in hindering his will to go on. Despite all, he kept knocking on every door he came across and did his absolute best to get the workshop he always desired. 

The micro-projects answered Elias' prayers, and with the funds his long-lost dream of owning a car inspecting machinery drew his first steps on the track of work success and independence.

“Poverty matters when it’s related to the way of thinking, not to the financial situation…”

That’s how Garabet started his conversation…

This ambitious man did not let the hard conditions he faced stop him from following his dream and starting a lovely family, in addition, to initiating a job in Syria after years of living abroad.

Garabet lived in Lebanon for a long time, where he started his career as a sweets and pastries chef. Also, he worked for a Cinematography company, to ensure the family’s livelihood, as he was the only breadwinner for his family.

During this period, he made good money, but unfortunately, the his mother's illness forced him to pay a big portion of his savings for her treatment costs.

Further, he spent a lot of money from his savings on his wedding party, thinking that he would recompensate all those expenses when he returned to his job. But unfortunately, Covid-19 hit the scales, and soom Garabet found himself stuck in Syria with no work and no income.

He had a long experience, and a great amount of resilience within him, so he didn’t give up and bought a mixer and fridge by installments. He borrowed some equipment he needed, as well. He rented a workshop from the a church in exchange of a small cost and started baking.

The taste of his pastries is special, that once, when he didn't have a penny, he borrowed some money to pay for joining a fair, at the end of the fair, he didn’t only pay the money back, he profits exceeded the amount by the double.

Gearabet stilll needs an electric oven, which can increase his capacity, so when Garabet applied to the Hope Center, we were happy to support this persevering man in expanding his work and joining his journey of success.

Starting from scratch, losing his brother, serving in the military for four years, made being the sole provider for a whole family, seem nothing compared to all those agonies for Jamil. 

After he was discharged from the military. Jamil began taking care of his sick father, who was suffering from cancer for several years before losing his battle with illness. 

The death of his father and brother, those who were always supportive of him, caused him a big shock in his life. They used to work together in a blacksmithing, but unfortunately, due to the war, even their rented workshop was lost.

to top all of those struggles, Jamil and his wife, son, and his mother, were displaced from their house because it was in a very dangerous area. 

All these circumstances stole any hope of returning to their damaged house, and their workshop. Jamil had to do anything to meet his family's requirements. He worked as a cleaner, gardener, and salesperson. Later, he traveled for a while to Damascus, but he came back to Aleppo after two years of trying to seek an appropriate job.

After all this suffering, he decided to go back to his main profession, and specialize in manufacturing innovative designs of chairs and tables that were not used before, but Jamil still needed the necessary equipment to initiate such a business.

Applying to Micro-Project was a perfect choice because it’s the best way to receive the support he deserves to be a successful entrepreneur. 

It all began in 2014 when Moses, the father of Kaytana and Hagop, was walking back home late at night, making his way in pitch darkness, and suddenly fell into an 8m deep trench. the most frightening thing was the loss of his sight and knowing that if he would ever be rescued, he is going to be hospitalized to save his injured eye. Help was on the way, eventually Moses was thankful this nightmare ended, but he was still worried about his sight which was heavily damaged and didn't respond well to all the treatments.

For a photographer to lose his sight was devastating and catastrophic. Before the eye injury, he worked with his father in their photography shop, but after the incident his career's future was vague.

It took a lot of determination to get used to living with one eye, but this young man made his mind to save what he still had, especially that due to war he lost his rented house and had to move in with his parents along with his family.

With one eyesight, an old camera, and a lot of determination, Moses made his way back into photography which he was not willing to abandon, but it was extremely hard with the weary equipment. Things were getting overwhelming, but he needed hope to face the challenges ahead and it came in the form of a new camera.

The Micro-Projects initiative was the only way to purchase photography gear and save a career from an evident end. Moses now has a chance to build a better future for his family, a future full of hope.

The 34-years-old Yacoub spent most of his life building a career in car mechanics; from an early age, he worked in several workshops and attended many masterclasses to get acquainted with engines and latest methods, each and every step of the way, he learned new things adding to his growing experience. 

To achieve his goals, this fast-learning man worked in a specialized company which was sadly closed after one year because of the unstable situation in the country, but he did not give up, instead, Yacoub joined a course to focus more closely on car electronics, hoping that someday he will be able to purchase his own car inspection device and set.

Unfortunately, the odds were against him for so long; he had to postpone his dream of independence and worry about making a living from his modest job in a cars' body part retail shop until a good opportunity comes up, and indeed, he found the microprojects program to be the perfect chance. It all came together as his current job gave him the contacts and relations with the market, he discovered how much his income can improve if he obtains the car inspection device while having his first job. The combination of his skills in cars' retail and the inspection device will surely upgrade his lifestyle significantly.       

It is said that a mother spares no means to take care of her family and offer the best for her children and loved ones and sometimes does what seems to be impossible, like Siranoush. 

Siranoush's biggest challenge was the loss of her husband who passed away leaving her behind, to face life alone with no source of income no roof over her head and with the great responsibility of taking care of her disabled.

By the time her husband passed away she had already been through a lot, she had lost her house because of the mortar shells, and moved back in her parents' house and not only she settled in the house where she lived her childhood in but also she went back to practice sewing which she learned from her mother when she was little.

long story short, when Siranoush's financial situation was getting worse she decided to work from home on an old sewing machine even though that machine couldn't operate as she wanted, but having no money to replace it with a better one forced her to stick to what she had in hand.

When the outdated machine started to become an obstacle in the way of Siranoush's small business and started compromising the workflow it became a necessity for her to apply for the micro projects to be able to upgrade her sewing machine, especially that Siranoush's opportunities have increased due to her growing experience and the fact that her daughter also worked in the same domain, which meant that she could provide better job opportunities for her hardworking mother.

Eventually, Siranoush's micro-project turned out to be a family business, where all members of her family can participate in, even her son will help around despite his disability. That way Siranoush will become an independent breadwinner and live in dignity.

Aboud, his wife Huda and his two sons Nicholas and Carlos (12 and 6 years old) live together in the family residence in Aleppo, along with Aboud’s mother Mouna.

At the beginning of war, Aboud couldn’t reach his carpentry workshop in Handarat area, all the roads were cut off and the armed groups took complete control of the area. When dangers of mortar shells became closer and more severe, Aboud took his family and fled to Marmaritta village far from the war beaten Aleppo. 

Eventually Aboud couldn’t stay away from his hometown. So, in 2018 he made the decision of coming back and settling in his parents’ house. In order to financially support the family, he rented a modest carpentry workshop. The problem is that the workshop lacks many important equipment and machines that Aboud can’t purchase on his own.

With your help, Aboud will be able to obtain all the tools to upgrade his production and thus, his profit will increase significantly in the future. 

Vecken has been battling with the hardships of life to take care of his wife and two boys; Garo and Hagop. The war may have ceased in the fighting sense, but its impact on families is still overwhelming. 

Through the first years of war hundreds of shells were falling in their neighborhood, the building in front of theirs was destroyed by one of those shells and their house was severely damaged. Those explosion terrifying sounds affected their youngest son’s physiological health and he has been stuttering ever since.

The financial situation was not good either. Long time ago Vecken was a car mechanic, but for medical reasons he had to quit that field of work. Later he became a janitor at Al-Sharek school. However, the salary is poorly able to support four people during this economic crisis, that’s why Vecken started thinking about finding another source of income to be able to put bread on the table and afford all the educational expenses of his boys. 

The taxi is a life changing step for Vecken, who was happy that he found the type of career that won't interfere with his part-time job, suits his health condition and at the same time will give him a good income.

Albert Gergi is a 45-years-old industrial man, who has 30 years of work experience in Metal lathing.

Albert is married, and a father of Mark; his 15-years-old son. He lives with his family in their house in Al-Serian neighborhood, which was relatively safer than other areas in Aleppo during the war. Unlike Al-Sheikh Najjar where he works. 

While all his relatives have left the country during the war, Albert chose to stay in Aleppo his home town for many reasons; besides being the place where he spent his whole life and loved so much, he also has established his work here and his roots, but most importantly his elderly parents live here and it is impossible for Albert to leave them behind. He is the only one left to take care of them, as one of his brothers lives in Austria while the other is in Sweden. 

Although the family life was stable for Albert, but the business world was not the same. In his domain establishing a thriving business requires a massive capital, Albert made a partnership to be able to obtain the needed machinery. Years went by and he was successful in his job, despite the economic situation which was associated with war, he was financially surviving. But what Albert didn’t expect was that his partner withdrawal from the partnership which Albert can’t afford in this difficult time.

The three months of lock-down due to the Corona Virus, the lack of transportation to the industrial area of Al-Sheikh Najjar (where his workshop is) and the over the roof prices of everything in the market had its toll on Albert. 

Albert applied for the micro projects program hoping that the funding he gets will be a savior for his business because unless he doesn’t take action and find a way to obtain his machinery, he will lose the machines, and that simply means that he will lose his workshop and his life work will be gone to no use. This support for Albert will create a second chance in business and more stability for his family in their foreseeable future. 

Rania comes from a big family, she lives with her mother, both of her brothers and their own families, all in the same household. From early on Rania grew to be an independent, strong woman on every aspect. Her long years of experience in the sewing field enabled her to open her own workshop just before the war started.

Like many people, Rania was affected by the ramification of war. The lack of electricity, the bombing and the bad economics in general forced Rania to sell some of her equipment in order to pay the last salaries of her employees before having to close. Beside the loss of her business, Rania also went through a life-threatening experience when in 2014 she was injured by a falling shell near her house while she was playing with her niece on the balcony, her injuries were critical, luckily doctors removed the shrapnel from Rania’s face and she recovered well.   

The old and small apartment does not suit the large family, That’s why Rania’s brothers will try to move out, this puts all the responsibilities of taking care of her ill mother and the daily life needs on her shoulders alone. 

With determination and hard work Rania is reopening a sewing workshop of her own. She finally bought a part of the machinery that she lacks and now is establishing a good business, taking advantage of her experience, good relations in the business community and the most important the well-known quality of her work. 

Joseph is a graduated architect, but besides his studies he has always been a hardworking and self-dependent man.

His father had lost his workshop and the machinery, and when the family lost their livelihood, Joseph started seriously considering having a full-time job. First, he volunteered with an organization then in 2018 he started working on a laser cutting machine. Utilizing his designer skills, Joseph started making a living by selling architectural models, wooden accessories and many other items. The problem arose when the owner of this machine decided to end their partnership and sell the machine. Joseph would had lost his work because he couldn’t afford to buy a similar machine on his own. 

But Joseph did not give up, he applied to micro project hoping to save his business and indeed he purchased his own laser machine and used his father’s workshop space, and now he is looking forward to have a successful work. 

Hala's journey as an entrepreneur has been filled with ups and downs, but her determination to provide for her family has never wavered. With a family of six to support, she knows that relying solely on her husband's income is not enough, especially with his reduced ability to work.

In 2010, she opened a clothes shop, hoping it would be a successful venture. For almost a decade, the shop sustained her family, but as inflation soared, people's spending habits shifted, resulting in a decline in clothing purchases. Undeterred by the setback, she made a bold decision to switch gears.

Recognizing the demand for basic necessities, Hala transformed her shop into a vegetable store in 2020. The transition proved fruitful, and she managed to provide for her family during challenging times. However, her ambition doesn't stop there. Realizing the potential of expanding her small business further, she decides to convert her vegetable store into a mini-market. However, her shop needed additional support to survive the economic crisis in the country, which is why she applies to the Micro Projects Program. With their assistance, she acquired a refrigerator to offer dairy products and drinks, an electric generator to ensure a constant power supply, and additional commodities to enhance the variety of products available.

Her family works together, with each member contributing their efforts to keep the shop running smoothly, often working late into the night. Now, the shelves are stocked with a wide range of products. The success of the mini-market will have a positive impact on Hala's family. With the additional income, they will be able to afford to meet their daily needs and provide better care for Nicola, their eldest son with special needs. Naseem, their hardworking son, and Maria, their youngest daughter, who will be lending a helping hand whenever needed.

Mikhail's life turned around when his father lost his battle with cancer in 2017. Suddenly, at a young age, he found himself shouldering the responsibility of providing for his mother and sister. They live in Qattinah village, where life had always been simple yet challenging.

In the midst of grieving his father's loss, he discovered that he had inherited his father's olive land as well as his share of wheat, which he had previously divided with his uncles. Recognizing the need to support his family financially, Mikhail embarked on a journey into farming in 2020.

However, he soon realized that relying solely on the olive land and wheat share would not be enough to sustain their livelihoods. Determined to find an additional source of income, Mikhail contemplated offering his services to plow other farmers' lands. There was just one problem, he lacked the necessary machinery, a mini-cultivator to fulfill this role.

Driven by his aspirations and the desire to improve his family's circumstances, he decided to apply to the Micro Projects Program. With the help of the program, he hoped to acquire a mini-cultivator, which would not only allow him to plow his own land more efficiently but also provide a valuable service to fellow farmers in his village.

After patiently waiting, Mikhail's application was approved, and he finally received the needed mini-cultivator. With this new tool at his disposal, he set out to work tirelessly, plowing fields and assisting other farmers in the village. Not only did this endeavor generate an additional income for his family, but it also enhanced the productivity of his own land.

Najeeb is a farmer from Qattinah village, he has faced a lot of challenges in his pursuit of cultivating a prosperous land. Married to Darine and caring for his elderly parents, he has diligently worked in farming since 1987.

His land, is planted with golden fields of wheat and fruitful trees. However, limited resources hindered his dream of expanding his tree plantation. With a broken water pump and the high costs of plowing, he struggled to maintain his livelihood.

Aiming to overcome these obstacles, he applied to the Micro Projects Program and explained his need for a mini-cultivator, which would save him the expenses of plowing, and a water pump, which would enhance his irrigation techniques.

With the program's support, Najeeb's dream began to take root. The mini-cultivator eliminated the costs of plowing and a new water pump graced his land, enhancing the efficiency and productivity of his irrigation methods.Now, Najeeb is able to expand his tree plantation and create a flourishing land, which will provide a promising future for his family. 

Ghandi, a hardworking man from Qattinah village, faced numerous challenges throughout his life. Married to Reem and blessed with a six-year-old daughter named Emily, Ghandi's main priority was to provide for his family.

Coming from a family of farmers, he had been involved in farming from a young age. However, his path took a detour when he worked at an ice cream factory for 11 years. Tragically, the factory was destroyed in 2011 due to the onset of war, leaving him without a stable job. Determined to support his family, he turned to chicken raising, but his struggles continued when he was kidnapped in 2014. To pay the ransom fee he had to sell his tractor, causing a significant financial setback.

Undeterred by the hardships he faced, Ghandi persevered. He found employment as an employee while continuing to farm on his land. His land, a diverse patch adorned with fruit trees, wheat, beans, potatoes, and vegetables, served as a vital source of livelihood for his small family as well as his brother and parents.

Recognizing the importance of proper irrigation and crop care, Ghandi sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program. He applied for water sprayers and various plant treatments to enhance his farming efforts. These additional resources would help him efficiently irrigate his entire land, boosting crop yields and securing better livelihood for his family.

Laila's life took an unexpected turn when her husband's health began to decline in 2014, rendering him unable to work. Faced with the responsibility of supporting their family, she made a brave decision to open a mini-market hoping it would provide them with a steady source of income. Her husband, Maher, became unable to continue his physically demanding job as a wall painter, so he stepped in to help her run the shop. Together, they poured their efforts into making the shop a success.

However, the country's economic crisis made life even more challenging. Laila's small shop lacked crucial resources; particularly a refrigerator to store perishable items and a solar power system to operate it. Despite her determination, her family's financial situation limited her ability to purchase the necessary equipment.

She applied to the Micro Projects Program for support. Her application highlighted the urgent need for a refrigerator and a solar power system, which would enable her to sell a wider range of goods and ensure their sustainability.

Laila and Maher worked hard to provide for their two sons and daughter. They eagerly awaited a response from the Micro Projects Program, and finally, Laila's application was approved, with this initiative she would be able to overcome her family's financial constraints and create a better livelihood for them.

Subaih's life had always been centered around hard work and providing for his family. As a married man and a father of three sons, he knew that he had a responsibility to ensure their well-being. Since 2000, he had been working as a floor tiler, honing his skills and earning a modest income.

However, his life took an unexpected turn in 2016 when he was called to serve his mandatory service. He dutifully left his job and served his country. Unfortunately, during his service, he developed heart problems, which led to his discharge in 2022. Despite his health condition, Subaih knew that he had to find a way to continue supporting his family.

Returning to his job as a floor tiler, he faced the grueling reality of his profession. The physical demands took a toll on his health, but he had no other choice. He had to keep working to put food on the table and provide for his loved ones. However, he dreamed of a better future, one where he could earn a sufficient income without sacrificing his health.

His saving grace came in the form of the Micro Projects Program. Aware of his wide network of relationships with craftsmen in Homs city and Fairouza village, he applied for support to acquire a mini pick-up truck. He believed that this vehicle would open up new opportunities and provide a stable income for his family.

Through the Micro Projects Program, Subaih's application was approved. He was overjoyed when he received the news. With the support he received, he was finally able to purchase the mini pick-up truck he had longed for. This new vehicle transformed his life.

Now equipped with his own transportation, Subaih was no longer restricted to working solely as a floor tiler. He expanded his services and started collaborating with other craftsmen, using his vehicle to transport materials and tools. His income increased significantly, allowing him to provide for his family's needs and secure a better future for his children.

Through the Micro Projects Program, he was able to break free from the limitations of his health condition and find a more sustainable path to success. 

Abdul-Massih's life took a turn when the war forced him to leave his hometown and settle in Homs city. As a skilled technician in the field of refrigerators and washing machines maintenance, he was determined to provide for his wife and their three children despite the challenging circumstances.

Settling in a rented apartment in Al-Adawia neighborhood, he faced a new hurdle in his work. The severe lack of electricity in the area greatly hindered his productivity and affected his ability to meet the needs of his clients. Determined to overcome this obstacle, he decided to invest in an electric generator that could save both his and his clients' time.

However, the financial burden of purchasing the generator seemed insurmountable, considering Abdul-Massih's losses during the war. Hopeful for assistance, he turned to the Micro Projects Program, seeking essential equipment and an electric generator to improve his work. As the sole provider for his family, he understood the importance of maximizing his productivity and meeting his clients' demands.

Through the Micro Projects Program, his application was approved, and he received the needed support. Equipped with the essential tools and the electric generator, his work flourished. He could now fulfill his clients' needs efficiently, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and a growing reputation within the neighborhood.

With his small business thriving, Abdul-Massih's financial situation will improve. He can provide for his wife, two daughters, and son ensuring them a brighter future.

Johnny's life took a tragic turn when his beloved wife passed away, leaving him as a single father to their precious daughter, Sham. Grief-stricken and overwhelmed, Johnny found solace in his daughter's innocent smile, becoming his beacon of hope amidst the darkness. They resided in his parents' home in the village of Qattinah, where he shared the space with his supportive parents, brother, and sister.

In 2018, he took on the responsibility of tending to his father's land, which had been ravaged by the merciless war that had plagued their region since 2011. The once-fertile land lay barren, ravaged by flames, and stripped of its equipment. Determined to restore its former glory, he cultivated various crops such as cabbage, potato, zucchini, chamomile, beans, and even nurtured almond trees and other fruits.

However, like many struggling farmers, Johnny faced numerous obstacles. The financial burden of renting a mini-cultivator proved insurmountable, hindering his ability to plow the land effectively. Aware that this setback could jeopardize the potential success of his crops and the well-being of his family, he turned to the Micro Projects Program as his last ray of hope.

With a glimmer of optimism, Johnny submitted his application, hoping to secure a mini-cultivator through the program. The acquisition of this invaluable tool would enable him to till the land efficiently, promising better yields and a brighter future for himself and his loved ones.

As Johnny eagerly awaited a response, his heart fluttered with anticipation. The mini-cultivator held the key to transforming his father's land into a thriving haven once again, providing sustenance for his family and offering a newfound stability. 

Johnny, a dedicated husband and son, found himself facing numerous challenges as he tried to provide for his large family. Married to his loving wife Loujain, they resided in the same building as his elderly parents and three sisters, two of whom had special needs. He took on the responsibility of being the sole provider for this close-knit family, with his wife assisting him at their small sweets and ice cream shop.

The family business, a legacy passed down from Johnny's father, had been their main source of income since 1982. However, the severe power rationing in Homs had taken a toll on their small business. The success of their shop relied heavily on a consistent and adequate energy supply, which became increasingly challenging to maintain. In an effort to compensate for the power outages, Johnny resorted to using an electric generator. However, operating it for six hours a day had become an immense financial burden due to the scarcity and high cost of fuel.

Determined to find a sustainable solution to improve his business, he researched alternative energy sources. He discovered that a solar power system would not only resolve his energy challenge but also alleviate the financial strain caused by the generator. Unfortunately, the cost of installing such a system was beyond his means, given his existing financial obligations.

Johnny decided to seek assistance and applied to the Micro Projects Program. His application was approved and he was provided with the necessary help to install a solar power system for his shop.

With the solar power system in place, Johnny's business experienced a remarkable transformation. The steady and reliable supply of energy boosted production and increased their revenue. The financial burden caused by the generator was lifted, allowing him to allocate those funds towards providing better care for his elderly parents and sisters with special needs.

Georgia and Milad are the parents of a nine-year-old girl called Reem. In 2017, the family sold all they had and made the risky decision to travel to Brazil in search of a better future, where they experienced many struggles and setbacks throughout their four years there, which made them decide to return home.

However, since they had lost everything, the family of three lived with Milad's mother at her house and started to rebuild a life from scratch.

Georgia is a hairdresser; she opened her first salon in 2012 and always helped her husband secure a decent living for their daughter. When they returned, she managed to buy some essential equipment and reopen a salon in Fairouza village with modest capabilities but it lacked many requirements.

This family paid dearly for pursuing a dream they thought would guarantee them a good life. Providing Georgia with the needed support will help her settle down and compensate for a part of her loss.

Hussam's hands were steady as he carefully placed each piece of stone, marble, and ceramic cladding. It was a skill he had inherited from his late father, who had dedicated his life to this craft. From an early age, Hussam had learned the artistry and precision required to create stunning designs.

After his father's untimely passing in 1997, Hussam took up the reins of the family business. He poured his heart and soul into his work, mastering every technique and ensuring that the legacy of his father lived on. For years, he worked side by side with his father's trusted tools, carrying on the tradition that had been passed down through generations.

But life had other plans for Hussam. In 2017, he was struck by heart disease, a cruel blow that threatened to shatter his dreams. The expensive treatment forced him to make a heart-wrenching decision: he sold his beloved equipment to cover the medical costs that were mounting against him.

After his health improved in 2018, he borrowed equipment from his kind-hearted friends, who understood his passion and desire to provide for his family. Once again, he delved into his craft, pouring his soul into every project he undertook.

However, fate dealt him another blow in July 2022, when his heart troubles resurfaced. A second cardiac catheterization was needed, and while his health stabilized, his friends were no longer able to lend him the equipment. Hussam was left in a state of uncertainty, unsure of how to support his wife and two children.

Hussam turned to the Micro Projects Program. He submitted his application, detailing his situation and explaining how the program could be a lifeline for his family. With the aid of the program, Hussam hoped to acquire the essential equipment that would allow him to once again work independently, relying on his own efforts to provide for his loved ones.

Months passed, and finally, the day arrived when he received the long-awaited news. The Micro Projects Program had approved his application, granting him the opportunity to enhance his livelihood.

With gratitude in his heart, Hussam acquired the necessary equipment. The income he will generate, will bring stability and hope back into his household, ensuring that his wife and children had a better life.

Saadallah's life had been marked by a series of hardships and losses. In 2013, he was compelled to begin his mandatory military service, a nine-year commitment that consumed his prime years. During this time, tragedy struck when his brother lost his life in the war in 2016. As if losing his brother wasn't devastating enough, their family home in Al-Hamidia neighborhood was destroyed, leaving Saadallah, his wife Natalie, and their twin daughters, Maryam and Maya, without a place to call their own. So, they moved to Fairouza village where they rented an apartment.

Despite the challenges, he remained determined to provide for his family. Since 2006, he had worked as a floor tiler, but his limited access to proper tools hindered his progress. Without the necessary equipment, he always had to rely on others, preventing him from working independently.

In an effort to improve his situation, Saadallah applied to the Micro Projects Program, seeking assistance to acquire all the essential equipment, including an electric bike that would significantly ease his transportation and the movement of his equipment and an electric generator.

When the news arrived that his application had been accepted, his spirit soared with hope. Equipped with the necessary tools, the electric generator, and the electric bike, he could take on more projects, complete them efficiently, and increase his income. This new independence would not only secure a brighter future for his family but also help him reclaim the years he lost during his military service. 

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 sister became adults, they stood in the face of their father defending their mother which angered him so he kicked them out of the house. Christine didn’t sit around feeling sorry for herself, on the contrary, she started working as a seamstress assistant and took care of the house expenses and her brother's medicine costs.

In 2009, Christine decided to start a job at a telecommunications company where she could meet people and have a social life until 2019 when she volunteered at the GOPA DERD organization.

During those years she kept working in sewing as a part-time job and managed to continue her education and graduate from the faculty of English literature.

Unfortunately, the health condition of her brother Elias was deteriorating and he needed intensive care that her mother couldn’t handle alone as she was not in a good mental situation and suffering from a lack of concentration due to the severe abuse that she was exposed to during her life with her husband, which forced Christine to miss many work days so she can be with her mom and brother.

Christine realized that she needs a job where she could manage her time and look after her family at the same time. She found her way to the micro-projects initiative and applied for a sewing machines, tools, and equipment that will enable her to have a new start in this field hoping that this opportunity will help her provide a proper income to look after her family.

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 working at a metal casting workshop and in the afternoon, he continued working as a taxi driver trying his best to pay all his expenses and provide the living demands for his family.

However, the metal casting profession affected his health as he was exposed to lung poisoning due to inhaling poisoned gases. After his treatment, his doctor recommended that he doesn't go back to the same job because his lungs were damaged, and continuing in the same work might lead to serious outcomes.

But working as a taxi driver wasn’t enough to meet the livelihood costs because he had to give half of his income to the taxi owner, which forced him to sacrifice his health and face the dangers of keep working in the metal workshop for the sake of his family.

Elie was seeking any chance to improve his situation so he applied for the Micro-projects program for a taxi hoping that his life would change for the better.

Today after being funded to buy a taxi, Elie is delighted to have a project of his own. At the same time, he can work harder and improve his living conditions to provide his family and kids with a decent life.

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 full of hope, got married to Suzan Altheib, and had adorable two kids who compensated him for the bitterness of wartime. During that period, he started to work as a taxi driver but he encountered critical conditions due to the corona virus and the restrictions that were followed by a huge increase in prices.

Unfortunately, no matter how long he worked, he kept suffering from the insufficient income and he became unable to handle the living expenses and his kids’ demands, especially since the taxi owner started to increase the rent which prevented him from having any additional savings.

However, even though all his relatives and friends were encouraging him to travel abroad, deep in his heart Hassan was praying to have a chance in his country, close to his parents and among his friends, and that’s what he got as he was funded with the taxi project that turned his life around as he has now a taxi of his own, and independence to have a better and sustainable income to improve his living conditions.

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 marry and move with her husband to Homs.

Unfortunately, his stepfather was very cruel to him, while his mother was too weak to protect him so Adeeb moved back to his relatives' house and never saw his mother for the next eight years. Adeeb has suffered a lot from deprivation as his relatives were also living in extreme poverty; he was forced to leave school in the sixth grade and worked in cleaning bathrooms and washing dishes, or any other job he could find.

In 2017, Adeeb worked with his friend in a mobile maintenance workshop, where he found his interest, as he liked the profession and learned it quickly until he became well-known in his neighborhood for being a skilled maintenance worker. However, his friend wanted to travel, so Adeeb decided to borrow some money and buy the equipment from him to continue in the workshop alone which gave him the opportunity he was looking for to be independent and start his own project.

Adeeb was working in his shop seeking to improve his living conditions to get married, but no matter how hard he worked, that little dream kept becoming farther because the living circumstances were very tough, and with his modest workshop and old tools, he was unable to save money or improve his conditions.

With the help of micro-projects, Adeeb was supported with new tools and proper amounts of goods to enhance his work and income, hoping that after all those tough days, life will smile on him and he will be able to improve his situation and establish his own family.

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 since Johnny's older brother George suffers from a mental disability since birth that stopped his growth.

However, Johnny never hesitated to be responsible for his brother or his parents; so he learned the plumbing profession from his father and began to work with him at the workshops and at the plumbing store, trying his best to help with the household expenses.

unfortunately, in 2011 a fierce war broke out and stole Johnny from his family, as he was taken for military service to serve in conflict areas, where he used to be absent for many months without being able to communicate with his family, the thing that made them live in great fear and affected their health. After ten bitter years of suffering and life threats, Johnny was finally released in the year 2021.

After he returned, Johnny did not hesitate to work as a plumber, in the evenings he stayed with his father in the store and tried to give his brother the care he missed in his absence.

Johnny was striving to secure the most basic needs of the house, not to mention the monthly medicine costs for his parents, and despite his tight conditions and poor financial situation, his warm smile did not leave his face, and he kept hoping that life would reward him for his endeavors one day.

Indeed, this self-made man deserved the support of the Micro-project Program in Damascus, where his plumbing store was funded with the necessary equipment and materials that will increase his income and improve his living situation, in the hope it will reflect positively on his life and future.

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 loss.

This young lady’s sacrifice had no limits as she took a full-time job to afford her son’s basic demands and at the same time help her in-laws with the house expenses. She also decided to finish her education at the faculty of translation as she is now in her third year continuing her journey in work and study with great passion.

In 2019, Nancy took a Micro project management course at GOPA and won funding for starting a small nuts shop in the neighborhood which will be additional income for her but unfortunately, the start of her project was in parallel with the Corona crisis in the country which led to a huge increase in the prices and the fund she got wasn’t enough for buying 20 percent of the shop’s goods and materials.

Yet, she kept trying with the help of her father to sustain the shop and manage its capital to buy new goods, but that became difficult as time passed because of the hard economic conditions of the last two years.

Although Nancy was struggling to make a balance between her living expenses and raising her son in good conditions, she didn’t lose faith in God who led her to apply at the micro-project office in Damascus and she was supported with the necessary goods and materials that will increase her income and ensure the stable and secured income.

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 military service for eight tough years of his life, he had to face the most difficult conditions until his discharge in 2018. He was then facing a harsher reality as his son was diagnosed with a brain tumor and needed to undergo a surgical operation which cost Fahed all his savings in addition to selling his wife’s gold jewelry.

Fahed was on the edge of a breakdown, but his will was stronger than his conditions, so he decided to defeat all the obstacles and start over. He returned to the physics college to continue his education in the morning, and in the afternoon, he started working as a taxi driver and a physics tutor at the same time, trying his best to secure the living demands and his son’s medications for misfunction in the Hypothyroidism which led to lack of growth.

Sorrowfully, such an effort didn’t improve his situation because half of his income was going straight to the taxi owner and he was looking for a miracle to save him from his hardship.

Now, after applying to the Hope center to have his own Taxi, Fahed is determined to improve his livelihood, finish his university study and provide his family with decent living circumstances.

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 archbishop on the Damascus-Beirut international road which provided him with a decent income during the years of war.

Wadie dedicated his life to the sake of his boys as he provided his son George with all the love and care he needs; he wanted to support his son and prove to him that disability is not an inability, so in 2012 he rented a mini-market near his house and filled it with goods so his son could do something valuable and be socially involved with the people every day.

His other son Elias traveled to Erbil but he couldn’t’ find a proper job and Wadie had to send him money every month to secure his living. Unfortunately, by the end of 2019, the corona epidemic affected the situation all over the world and the travel movement stopped between Syria and Lebanon which left Wadie jobless.

His son Elias was also in a bad financial situation in Erbil and wanted to return to Syria so Wadie had no choice but to sell his car to pay him the military service fees.

Although Wadie started the market to enhance his son's social abilities, now even with its poor amount of goods, it became the only source of income for the whole family. Giving him the chance to renew his goods will help him overcome all the tough days and allow him to improve his family’s situation.

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 wasn't matching his living expenses which made him decide to have additional income, he started his own mini-market shop in 2010 where he used to work in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, after about three years of the war’s outbreak, the violent acts spread all over and as a result, the armed groups robbed and vandalized his shop which cost him many losses.

Yet, Simon didn’t hesitate to borrow some money and buy new goods to keep the work going which annoyed the troublemakers in the area and they reported him to the police station for selling alcoholic drinks illegally. That cost Simon five years of his life in prison until the church intervened to prove his innocence and he was set free in 2019.

After his release, Simon’s health was affected badly as he was suffering from Back disc pains which made him quit his job at the administration and returned to work at his mini-market.

During the last years, Simon’s family survived with the support of the church’s relief aid and the help of their friends and relatives. Simon couldn’t provide his shop with new goods to improve the work and increase his income.

However, despite all the difficulties he has been through, Simon’s smile never disappeared and he kept praying for a better future. Indeed, his hope wasn't disappointed and with the help of the Micro-project program, he was supported with a proper amount of goods that will increase his income and improve his situation.

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 hard for many years in Al-Swaida until he became able to establish his own carpentry workshop in 2009 in the same area. His wife and kids were living in Damascus so Najeh was planning to move his workplace there to be close to them but in 2011, the war started in the country and the deteriorating security situation in the area prevented him from moving. For more than ten years, Najeh was forced to be far from his family working as hard as he could to secure all their living needs and provide his kids with proper education to secure their future.

Indeed, his daughter Ruba is studying now at the Engineering college, his son Mina is in the faculty of Medicine while the other son Fadi has won a scholarship to study flight engineering in Moscow.

Even though Najeh was delighted to see his kids succeed in their studies, he had to work harder to meet the increasing costs of living which were unbearable, especially within the electricity blackouts situation in the area which affected his work directly as his customers started to deal with other workshops which have electric generators and can do the work on time.

Now after being financed with the electric generator and the necessary equipment, this self-made man has the chance to improve his work which will change his situation for the better and secure decent living conditions.  

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 didn’t level up with the high costs of livelihood.

Unfortunately, in 2017, Salwan started to suffer from severe pain in his back and the doctor told him that he has to go through surgery that he couldn’t afford, but “the Good Shepherd Association” covered the surgery’s costs and after the operation, he had to stay for about 18 months in bed rest. During that period, Salwan had to spend all his savings to afford the basic living needs and after his recovery, his brother helped him to start a small shop close to his house where he could be able to support his family without much physical effort.

He worked in the shop with his brother until his traveling in 2020 when Salwan took the responsibility of running the shop by himself and he became very popular in the neighborhood as people got used to buying from him.

However, due to the Corona and the huge increase in prices, Salwan couldn’t support his shop with new goods, and day after day it became empty besides a few materials that were left on the shelves. Salwan was in a bad financial situation and he wasn’t able to make a balance between his income and his family’s living demands. 

“Don’t let life bring you down. Remember that God gives you struggles to test your faith.”

Salwan’s faith was stronger than his struggles, and now after being supported by the micro-project program he is able to support his shop with a good amount of goods and products to improve his income and restore his life balance.

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 accepted the bitter reality and for more than eight years he served in very dangerous zones, went through several hardships, and survived many calamities. Yet, he didn’t let his situation bring him down, on the contrary, he learned the hairstyling profession and while he was serving in Hama, he worked at Marmarita village then when he was transferred to serve in Damascus, he continued his work there and gained good experience by the leading of professional hairstylists in the area.

The day that Tony was looking forward to, had arrived and he was discharged from the military service. He didn’t hesitate and started to work many shifts during the day to improve his financial situation, he wanted to save money to have his own salon, but his family’s situation wasn’t stable and he was sending them money every month to secure their basic living demands.

Tony’s dream of being independent and having his private job was fading away with the increasing costs of living, but he kept on the hard work until he heard about the micro-project program so he came with all hope asking for support.

Now, after being financed with the necessary equipment and the electric generator, Tony has finally reached his goal; having his own salon, and being independent to mprove his living circumstances.