My name is Iskandar Shamo, I am a 42 years old man, married to Josephine; she is 43 years old school teacher, I live with my wife and her mother in their flat in Al-Jabryeh area. We do not have children yet, but I am responsible for helping my mother-in-law, and hopefully soon we will have children. I worked as a taxi driver from 2006-2016, on a rented car, the owner asked for a high percentage from the profits so I quitted. then in 2016, I left to Lebanon hoping for a better life there and looking for a job, I worked in fixing cars for two years, but the livelihood expenses there are very high so we decided to return back to Syria. Now I work as a school bus driver, which is good, but in the summer, I become without a job, so I will be unemployed for almost 3 months and my wife will be the sole provider for us. I want to have my own taxi to work on, in order to guarantee a stable income.

Abed Ahmar (35 years old) lives with his wife Najla and their little son Adib in Al-Suleymanieh area, anyone who knows the area remembers how hard things were in the years between 2013-2015 on all the residents, and Abed’s family was not an exception. 

Their last night in their apartment was horrendous, on April 2015, the mortar shell attacks became intolerable, people were afraid of losing their lives or their loved ones. One night Abed started hearing usual explosion sounds, they were closer than ever, so his son who was less than two years old back then got scared, to make him feel safer, Abed remembers how he laid his son behind a stack of blankets, but the sounds were getting higher and closer… 

At the end the family spent the whole night in the bathroom, the living room windows were shattered by the deadly shrapnel. This was the last night in their house and since then they were displaced to Abed’s father’s house.

Meanwhile, regarding his livelihood things were more stable for Abed. The young man entered the field of mobile phones retail and maintenance business a long time ago in 2006, when mobile phones made a revolution into affordable technology. Through the years, he made a well-known name for himself. However, the economic crisis impacted him as much as anyone else in Aleppo, he was affected with the significant decrease of currency value and with the burdens of rehabilitating his damaged apartment, his ability to develop his business was limited. 

Now that the situation is better in the city, Abed’s family is growing; he and his wife are expecting a baby soon.

With the prosperity of his family, Abed wants for his business to thrive. With this support he will be able to expand his business, supply his shop with modern and up-to-date devices to keep up with the store reputation and status that he has been working hard on in the last years.       

After graduating from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Steve found himself pursuing a completely different path of design and marketing, he started to improve his skills through courses in this field and in the year 2000 he began his career with a company in Damascus; he designed road advertisements.

Unfortunately with the start of the war in 2012, Steve lost his job like many other Syrians and was suddenly without any source of income for his family; his wife Rita and his girl Christelle.

He searched for any solution that would provide some income, so he moved to Aleppo and worked with his brother in a pastry place. Steve was working in something he doesn’t like and the salary wasn’t enough especially when in 2015 the family welcomed their newborn boy.

The design is a passion for Steve that he always thinks about going back to, but the financial resources needed for that step is hard to secure with all the life expenses and daily hardships; like the rent, children needs and the health condition he personally suffers from in his heart which required an open-heart surgery few years ago and now he needs regular medication.

Recently, Steve felt hopeful again after hearing about the Micro Projects initiative, he wants to get back to his original business through the support to buy the equipment required and he can work from home, his long years of experience and his love of being always up-to-date in this field will help him to have a successful work.

The clothing industry has a very wide range, tailoring or implementing the designs into reality is just a part of it and it is what Michel Haddad (51 years old) is specialized in.

Michel Haddad and his wife Juliana are blessed with two children; Marina and Alexan, they all live in the family house in Al-Midan. No matter how difficult the situation became during the long years of war, the Haddad family never left their home except for a couple of days in the early start of 2012 when Al-Midan was caught on the fire lines between the conflicting forces.

Michel who’s the sole provider for his family, used to own a workshop for tailoring in Telephone-Hawaae area since 1997, but in 2013 this field of work suffered immensely, the work flow stopped for a long time and in order to survive Michel was obliged to sell his machinery and materials, however, Michel did not quit his work after losing his workshop, but he had to work for others which made him suffer from the instability of the income.

It saddens Michel’s heart to constantly worry about providing the needs of his children who are very considerate of the financial situation, and whom are also persistent individuals like their father; for instance, Marina is a very distinguished engineering student despite the fact that her parents couldn’t offer her the expensive educational courses, but the young girl depends on herself completely. 

Giving Michel the chance to have his own work space for tailoring will make a positive impact on his life, as it will help him be independent once again, increase his income, and consequently the lifestyle of his family.

For twelve years straight, Bashir used to drive Al-Enaya students to their school, but like every other person in Aleppo city his life was changed with the start of the war. 

The struggle of providing the fuel for cars and the bad situation of closed streets and unsafety of almost every single neighborhood, forced the 60-years-old Bashir to park his taxi and look for another job that would bring food to the table. In the same neighborhood where he lives in Al-Seryan street, they needed a bookkeeper or an accountant to organize the payments and expenses of the local electricity generator and Bashir seized that opportunity, it was near his house and since he is separated from his wife (who lives with his twin daughters in another apartment) he didn’t mind the long hours of work. The only thing that made him hesitant was his Asthma condition, which doesn’t get along with the polluted air of the generator, but his need for a job was urgent and he ended up accepting it. 

During this time his car was parked across the street used for storage more than driving, back then Bashir didn’t know how much of a loss would it be if something happened to his car until it did. In 2014, a mortar shell fell on the neighborhood, Bashir and a fellow worker were near the generator when the explosion filled the air with dust, and when it eventually settled, Bashir realized that his car was hit with the shell and ruined. It was a devastating incident for Bashir, since he knew that working for the generator owner wasn’t permanent and he was hoping that one day he will go back to his original work.

For the last two years, Bashir was working as an employee in a mini market with a low salary, that made him in need of his brother’s financial support. This recent job is not suitable for his age, neither is the salary sufficient to live a decent life and still help his family. 

That is the main reason that made Bashir apply to have a taxi, he wants to go back to his old profession, which was much better income-wise, and it is what he loved to do every day. 

Despite his old age, Garabed Hayitian still has the drive and resilience to open his own shop in a relatively new field of work for him, all for the best interest of his family.

Garabed is a father of two young men; Sarkis and Hrag, he used to own a workshop in the industrial area of Al-Ramouse. His specialty was repairing and producing the parts of buses, he manually made the molds and the samples; he learnt all about this business when Turkish workshops used to visit Aleppo for bus’s maintenance whenever needed, since it wasn’t available in Aleppo. His language skills and intellect became handy back then, and Garabed became well known for his services cross-country. 

In 2012 war reached Aleppo, Al-Ramouse was a vital area in Aleppo regarding the economy, it was targeted first by armed groups. Garabed was at home recovering from a minor medical procedure, when the news hit him, he had lost his workshop and all the equipment and supplies.

The news was devastating specially that he was the sole provider for his family (his son Sarkis was serving in the army and Hrag was still a student). However, the catastrophic loss did not make Garabed give up. 

With the help of some friends Garabed started distributing car engine oils for a particular agency in order to make a living. For two years, he held out in that job but the economic instability prevented him from proceeding. At that time another tragedy occurred, Garabed’s brother was injured by a mortar shell that fell near his workshop, couple of months later he passed away affected by that incidents. Garabed himself was injured, his hearing was affected and until this day he still suffers from it. 

Long story short, when armed groups withdrew from Al-Midan in 2016 Garabed visited his brother’s workshop, it was robbed off and damaged but during the next couple of years the church helped him in rehabilitation, so that he can use the space to work. Garabed couldn’t go back to his old business since it costs a fortune, but what this resilient man thought of is to embark a new domain, a more practical one; car parts retail. But in order to do that he had to learn everything from scratch. He did not hesitate, he made a partnership with a retailer and they shared the same place (his brother’s), slowly Garabed started cultivating his selling skills.

Garabed was planning to learn about this profession and establish a prosperous business for his son Sarkis, so that he doesn’t have to start from scratch. That’s why he wants to invest in more car part merchandise in large quantities so that he can reap more profits and turn the business wheel smoothly as soon as possible. 

The combination of the horrendous war effects and the economic crisis created an overwhelming impact on the everyday life of the Kaspar’s family on many levels.

The today sixty-years-old man, Bassil, is struggling to provide for his family; his wife Sylvia, and 18-years-old daughter Celine, since his salary as a private driver became insufficient to support them considering the increase in basic needs of everyday life and the losses they went through. The biggest loss was the family’s safety in their own home, that is located in Al-Midan area, which in 2012, at the start of the war in Aleppo, became in the range of hundreds of shells and missiles and was at big risk of massive destruction and tragedy.

Bassil had no choice but to flee his house for the sake of his family’s safety. Having nowhere to go, Bassil was concerned about finding a place for his wife and daughter, when his employer who owned a villa in Al-Hamdaniyeh offered him a guarding position that included residence, the timing of this offer was perfect for Bassil, he took his family immediately to live in the small space in the basement of his employer’s villa.

Leaving his own house in Al-Midan behind, like the rest of the neighboring houses, made it an easy target for theft and robbery, and the family learnt that their belongings had all gone. Soon the armed conflict reached Al-Hamdaniyeh area, Bassil’s employer business was also affected and they decided to leave the country, while he left Bassil in charge of his property. The financial situation was degrading, Bassil didn’t have enough resources to survive, his salary was very modest and the church aids were barely helping, he borrowed a friend’s mini-van to work on in the mornings, offering transportation for school students in that area since his original job was now limited to guarding the villa at night.

From his experience in driving the mini-van, Bassil realized how helpful it was in increasing his income, and he wished to have a taxi so he can work on it regularly, it will improve the family’s livelihood in a great way.

Losing one’s job can be devastating, especially for a man who loves what he has been doing for more than 32 years.

Antoine went through this challenging experience when his shop and warehouse in Bustan Al-Basha were damaged during the war. It was a shock at first, Antoine never thought that he won’t be able to go to his own shop but the situation in the area was not allowing any civilians to reach Bustan Al-Basha, and shortly after the war reached Aleppo city in 2012, Bustan Al-Basha was caught at the fire lines between the two parties, causing a great damage to the area and leaving it to be robbed off. Antoine was devastated because his warehouse contained a huge amount of goods and supplies that were stolen, which left him without any livelihood income. 

Antoine was overwhelmed, he used to provide a fairly good lifestyle for his wife Odette and his three children; Silvie, Housni and Antonia. But everything was suddenly changed, the family had to spent from their savings and even sell the car in order to survive the financial hardships. For three years Antoine was in denial, he found it extremely hard to cope with the situation where he was no longer an employer running a business, he was rather starting all over from scratch and in need to work for others.

In 2014, he had to find a job and do something about the financial responsibilities above his shoulders. Antoine started working in clothes retail, a domain that is very different from his field of expertise.

2016 was a good year for Aleppo, things started to get better after the withdrawal of armed forces, but it wasn’t until 2018 that Antoine was able to go back to Bustan Al-Basha and restore his old business.

The rehabilitation process was not an easy one, there are still a lot of challenges and obstacles in the way; like the high costs under the current financial crisis. Antoine and few other shop owners took the initiative and reopened their workplaces, but with all the hardships of the present situation, he needs help to buy the metal ware and supplies for his warehouse in order to get back to work after so many years.   

With the birth of her son jack in 2016, Matilda the new mom discovered an eye-opening fact, that soon she transformed to a profitable business idea. 

Matilda (38 years old) and husband Jalaa Darakji were engaged during the war, it was hard for the couple to start a life together due to the economic situation. It was with the help of a relative who offered their empty house in Al-Midan for them so they could start their family. However, it was a rough start since that area was not considered a safe neighborhood. Matilda’s workplace also in AL-Azizie street was as dangerous as her residence, it was hard for her, specially that she soon became pregnant with her first child, she used to run home every time an explosion is heard nearby. Luckily after a solid year, when jack was born all that horror had stopped after the withdrawal of armed groups in 2016, and a more peaceful era started. 

Despite the relative calmness, the couple found themselves facing a whole new kind of hardships, financial ones; due to the aggravating economic crisis and the increasing expenses of having a baby. Day After day new needs would emerge; milk, baby food and diapers became everyday necessities. Although the church aid programs helped a little, but still the couple would need to buy most of the supplies from the market, the thing that made Matilda realize how profitable this kind of business could be. Slowly this concept was formed in Matilda’s head, of course with the support and encouragement of her husband. She started putting a plan of implementing her project idea and turn it into reality. 

The couple asked all the local markets, gathered information, made a feasibility study and even thought about potential locations for their desired shop. The only thing the couple still needed was the fund to start, so when they heard about the micro projects program they applied without any hesitation.

Today Matilda and Jalaa are ready to start their business after well planning and preparation. Matilda will be working the morning shifts only to alternate with Jalaa who will take the afternoons after finishing his own job.

This ambitious couple are excited to start their business experience together and hope it will grow like their family with love and hard work. 

Vahan Nazarian chose an interesting career; designing and selling handmade art crafts like rosaries, small souvenirs and statues. The 56-years-old Vahan started his business back in 1998, and since then he has manufactured thousands of pieces, and even had several employers helping him. 

The Syrian war had its heavy toll on everyone, after the armed conflict reached the city of Aleppo, Vahan’s losses began to accumulate, he and his wife Nada and their three children had to flee from their home and shop in Al-Sheikh Maksoud in 2013, leaving behind all their personal belongings, furniture and merchandise, later to find out that all of it were stolen during the time they’ve been away.

The family took refuge into Vahan’s brother-in-law’s house, where they stayed for five years then in 2018, until they were able to rent their own house in Al-Midan. Vahan resumed working in the same field, he rented a small shop close to his home. The real problem was that because of the ongoing war the demand on such type of art crafts became less by each year, and after a while it couldn’t provide any income for the family and Vahan had to close the shop.

Meanwhile, the family depended on Nada’s salary who is a school supervisor, and Yeghish his oldest son who started working for a mobile network company. The lack of financial resources wasn’t the only struggle for the family of five; Vahan’s second son George was called for military service and has been away from his parents and siblings, but being an athlete, he got to serve in the military sports team, so his service is relatively safer.

However, being dependent on only one salary in the house was not something bearable, especially if you have a monthly rent to pay, in addition to the daily rising costs of living, that’s exactly why Vahan wants to go back to his work but with an improvement; he wants to purchase a laser cutting machine that will be very beneficial in many new types of material that he uses for making icons and handcrafts, it will help Vahan to support his family and work in what he loves with his long experience.

With the start of the war in 2012, Elias’s struggle began. The family was staying in a relatively new inhabited area in Aleppo called Al-Jalaa, with his wife Mirna and their 2-years-old son, but the problem was that Al-Jalaa area was surrounded by armed groups, and consequently was targeted with hundreds of shell attacks and sniper shots, in fact it didn’t take that long until Al-Jalaa became almost deserted. Elias was hoping that they could be safe since their house was on the lowest floors of the building, but one day a mortar shell exploded in their building and although they were not physically harmed, their house was severely damaged and they had to move out. 

Since then, the family moved between rentals in Al-Midan neighborhood. Elias worked in cotton wear manufacturing workshops. For many years, he worked for other employers until he was able to have a workshop of his own. However, the machinery he currently owns are old and outdated, although they still work, but they consume a lot of electricity which is not always available, the electricity is obtained by local generators that result in enormous monthly bills, knowing that in this difficult financial crisis renewing the machinery is impossible for Elias.

The 39-years-old man feels frustrated not to be able to upgrade his work and increase the productivity through the new sewing machines, to lessen the waste of resources. It’s a big step for Elias’s career that will result in expanding his workshop in the near future.

Physiotherapy is a domain that requires both medical knowledge and physical strength combined.

Abdalla Afessa chose this field as his career since early age, in 2014, Abdalla entered the Medical institute to specialize in the physiotherapy department. A year later Abdalla started his professional journey working with Al-Ihsan benevolent organization in a mobile medical center; one of the first of its kind in Aleppo that offered physiotherapy for war-injured people, it was a unique experience for the 25-years-old Abdalla, he cultivated his skills and knowledge which helped him stand out workwise. 

Since 2015, Abdalla has been working for Al-Ihsan in several centers, his work was the only bright side in those dark years of war. Unlike his career, the whole situation in the city of Aleppo, especially in Al-Midan was getting worse and worse. His hometown “Al-Jdaideh” in the suburbs of Idleb city was struggling too; armed groups have entered the village and its surrounding and confiscated the land and houses of the original citizens like Abdalla’s and his family’s, for the last three years they heard nothing about their properties. 

Anyhow, Abdalla is now concentrating on the positive things, the things that he can improve, specially that he is now a newlywed, with his wife Marianna, the young couple are planning on starting a family soon. It is why being self-employed and financially independent is more important than ever. The only problem is that this job has unique equipment and machines that are necessary for some treatments; like ultra sounds and infrared devices. 

This equipment may be pricy but they are essential for Abdalla to continue on his own in his field of work. For the time being Abdalla will start implementing home therapy sessions for his clients, it will be profitable and productive for him, he aspires of success that he could eventually open his own therapy center one day.

Talaat, a hardworking farmer from Qattinah village, faced adversity when thieves stole his irrigation network. This setback left his water pond and well, equipped with a pump, useless, limiting him to planting only wheat on his land. As a husband and father of two university students, he felt the weight of providing for his family. With the stolen irrigation system, he struggled to cultivate a variety of crops to improve their livelihood.

However, with the support of a new irrigation network, Talaat's hopes blossomed anew. Now equipped with everything needed for a well-watered farm, he eagerly began planting potatoes and a variety of vegetables without worries. This stability not only transforms his farm but also holds the promise of changing his family's future, ensuring them a dignified life. 

Alaa, a devoted family man from the village of Qattinah, faced the trials of sustaining his family through farming and seasonal fishing. 

He works in his father-in-law's land, entrusted with its care while his father-in-law traveled abroad. In this land there was a partnership between his father-in-law and someone else and this partnership had once thrived, when they equipped the land with essential irrigation tools.

In 2022, Alaa's world shattered as his father-in-law's partner sold their shared assets, leaving him deprived of the crucial equipment and water access. 

With no recourse, his farming activities were paused, casting shadows over his family's livelihood.

Yet, hope flickered in the form of the Micro Projects Program, where he sought aid to restore his dreams. He applied for a solar power and irrigation systems, envisioning a future where his land flourishes once more.

Amidst the olive trees and vegetable crops, Alaa's resilience bloomed. With the installation of solar panels and an efficient irrigation system, his land came to life. 

Fadi is married with two children, he cherishes the simplicity of life alongside his aging parents. Enduring a two-year struggle with liver inflammation and diabetes, he found stability, embracing gratitude for his family and health.

Specialized in pastry making, a skill acquired in Lebanon, he operates a modest shop with his wife. He also works in farming with an arable land. He worked hard to enhance productivity year-round. However, lacking a water pump and motor hindered his ambition, limiting cultivation to winter season.

Despite efforts to rent equipment, the high costs hindered the progress. His cultivation during the summer was limited to wheat, due to the water scarcity. 

Hope flickered when Fadi applied for the Micro Projects Program, through the program's intervention, he received vital irrigation equipment, transforming his agricultural prospects. Now, empowered by efficient water management, he became able to secure a dignified life for his loved ones. 

Sami, the head of a family of four in Qattinah village, struggled with the financial burden of farming. As both a dedicated employee and a farmer with olive and almond trees, he faced challenges plowing his land and providing essential treatments due to high equipment rental costs. Undeterred, he sought help from the Micro Projects Program.

He secured a mini-cultivator and a spraying pump. This invaluable support not only alleviated the strain of expensive tractor rentals but also empowered him to tend to his land effectively. 

Now, Sami cultivates his land with ease, saving costs and ensuring a bountiful harvest. The support has not only transformed his struggles into success but has also paved the way for a brighter future, promising his family a more prosperous and secure livelihood.

Khalaf Al-Bshara, 51, is married to Shireen Qabalan and lives in a humble house with his parents in Al-Tabbaleh neighborhood.

Despite being a skilled painter since 2003, life had not been kind to Khalaf.

At the beginning of the crisis, his painting work decreased so he started working on transferring vegetables and fruits between his village in Daraa and Damascus until the security conflicts reached the area and it was no longer safe, but he decided to challenge the situation and keep working until he was exposed to kidnapping by the armed groups, the three days he stayed in abduction shattered his stability so he relocated to Damascus to live with his family at his parents’ house.

With opportunities scarce, Khalaf found himself shuttling between different jobs: painting, construction, and even restaurant cleaning, he opted to do any available work to put food on the table but his situation was getting worse and the weight of responsibility pressed down harder in addition to having financial hardships, all of that led his marriage to collapse, as his wife took his daughter and moved to live at her parents’ house while he had to put his son at an orphanage.

Tears welled in Khalaf's eyes as he spoke of his kids, his dream of reuniting his fractured family stirred a deep resolve within him, making him apply for the pick-up car with one goal ahead, the reunion of his family.

The support that he gained from Hope Center isn't just about financial assistance; it symbolizes the promise of reunification, healing fractured bonds, and restoring Khalaf's family. 

Samaan Ashkar, a blacksmith whose life tells the tale of resilience against all odds.

From his humble beginnings in Kashkoul, Samaan started working as a blacksmith where he faced numerous challenges, including financial constraints and the loss of his beloved family members, but Samaan's spirit remained unbroken.

In 2003, he decided to relocate to Dubai and try his luck there, he worked in various capacities and experienced both triumphs and tribulations. However, with all the setbacks and financial strains that he went through in Dubai, Samaan managed to preserve, handle his livelihood, and save for his future, then after several years of working hard, Samaan decided eventually to return to Syria and start a new chapter of his life. 

Unfortunately, upon his arrival, he had to endure the loss of his mother, brother, and sister, which left him heartbroken and in poor financial condition as he bore the burden of their medical expenses and funeral costs from his previous work savings. 

With the limited tools and resources, he had, Samaan was not able to start his own business; he had to work at other blacksmithing workshops to get income and afford his living expenses.

Samaan longed to become independent and have his own blacksmithing workshop, which was achieved after getting support from Hope Center to buy electricity generators and necessary equipment and machines.

Today, Samaan is so grateful because having this project marked a pivotal moment in his journey, enabling him to overcome his adversities, and lightening his path toward self-sufficiency and decent living.

Elias Al-Ghabra is one of the minorities who are still interested in preserving the family profession as he began working in the field of manufacturing convection ovens with his father at a young age in a rental workshop in Jaramana and continued in the filed alongside his study.

The main field of work is manufacturing thermal ovens based on gas after the electric ovens stopped being demanded due to the terrible electricity situation in the country, their work increased and they also started to receive ovens maintenance orders. 

In 2010 Elias was called for military service and the war began shortly after he joined, so he was transferred to serve in Al-Hasakah Governorate until 2019, during which he went through difficult circumstances and faced many dangers. However, on his vacations, he used to return home and help his father in the workshop.

However, as a result of the significant increase in prices in addition to his mother’s battle with cancer and her treatment in Al-Biruni Hospital, their business deteriorated and the expenses became higher than the income forcing them to sell some of the equipment to cover the mother’s treatment expenses.

After Elias was discharged from service in 2019, he returned to work with his father, but the remaining equipment and materials were not enough to strengthen the work and have a proper income to cover the living expenses.

With the help of Hope Center, Elias was supported to purchase new machines to enable this intrepid young man to expand his work which will positively impact his living circumstances and help preserve the family's profession.

Hanna Al-Ajoury 31, resides with his parents and brother Jack, their father, who was employed at the Gas station for 13 years but is currently without work. His brother works as an employee while their other brother, Marhaf, has relocated to Germany.

Before the war, he had worked at his cousin's beverage shop in Zabadani for two years until 2011 when he was called for military service for the next nine years. however, during his military service, he also worked alongside his father at the gas station, to secure his expenses and save some money for the future.

After his discharge from the service, Hanna embarked on a new journey in his life, as he started working as a taxi driver, with the money he saved from his previous work,  got engaged seeking to establish his own family but he was shocked by the huge burdens of living and his endeavors started to vanish.

Seeking assistance from Hope Center in Damascus, Hanna was granted support to purchase a taxi, which significantly improved his life. The newfound independence and stability brought by this taxi helped Hanna support his family and nurture his dreams.

Despite the challenges he faced, Hanna's story exemplifies the human spirit's ability to rise above adversity and create a better reality, one step at a time.

Anastasia Haddad born in 1998, was working diligently as a makeup artist and nail technician, living with her sister Taj in a rented flat in Jaramana after the divorce of her parents as they found solace in each other's company, forming a bond of strength amidst adversity.

Anastasia and Taj's childhood was marked by tumultuous family complications leaving scars that only time could heal. Yet, their determination to carve a brighter future fueled their aspirations and their talents blossomed despite all the challenges they faced.

Anastasia managed to overcome the obstacles by working long hours daily at a Salon in the neighborhood, but the income didn't cover the living expenses and she wanted to expand her work and customers which wasn’t possible with the tools she had, so she decided to apply at the Micro Project program to start her own project.

Supporting Anastasia with a make-up kit including all the necessary tools to start, was a turning point in her life because it enabled her to become independent and enhance her living condition.

George Eskeif, 33 is living alone in a sparsely furnished house in Jaramana while his heart remains tied to his family in Lebanon.

His family's relocation from Idlib to Damascus due to his father's health issues marked a turning point in their lives. George, then a student, saw himself shouldering the responsibility of their household while his father pursued medical treatment in Lebanon.

After completing his military service in 2019, George found himself with no education or experience, so he started working as a taxi driver, hoping to secure a stable income for himself and support his family who was residing in Lebanon as his father was working at a small coffee kiosk, while his brother was working diligently at a snack restaurant. Yet, the harsh realities of life in Lebanon lingered, driving George to ensure his family's well-being by sending them vital medications each month.

full of faith, George applied for the pickup car project at Hope Center seeking financial stability and sustainable livelihood.

the support he got, didn't just offer George financial assistance; it restored his sense of purpose and dignity. It empowered him to support his family while carving his own path to self-reliance and success.

Murhaf Al-Maher 62, is married to Nada Sankari, and the father of two daughters and son. Despite his age and recent health issues, including lung inflammation, Murhaf remained determined to work. His dedication stemmed not just from financial necessity but from a sense of pride in providing for his family and with no hesitation he also supported his daughters; Souryana, while she was pursuing a medical degree, and Rima, who became a music teacher.

In recent years, with his wife's medical expenses and his daughter's university fees looming large, Murhaf had found himself dipping into his savings more frequently. Yet, he remained steadfast in his commitment to their well-being, he kept supporting them through thick and thin, especially during his son-in-law's military service, and had even exhausted his savings to ensure their living. 

Now retired, Murhaf sought to continue working, not just out of necessity and lack of income, but out of a desire to maintain his independence and dignity.

With limited options available due to his age and health, the support he received from the Hope Center to purchase his own taxi, was crucial in ensuring his family's financial stability and allowing them to live with dignity. Despite the challenges he faced, Murhaf remained resolute in his determination to provide for his loved ones, one ride at a time.

Despite life's challenges, Elein Zghaib 28, remained steadfast in her pursuit of a better future. She lives with her family in Jaramana, her father is employed at the Ministry of Education, her mother tends to the household, and her sister, born in 2002, is skilled in nail care and beauty care. Their familial bond was a source of strength as they faced life's adversities together.

Before the crisis, Elein and her family were living in their ancestral home in Dweileh, but circumstances forced them to sell it and relocate. During that period, she graduated from the Faculty of Business Administration then she started working at Syriatel from 2016 to 2020 in marketing and sales. However, the income she got was barely enough to meet her own expenses without being able to provide for the house. Elein sought new horizons in the field of hairdressing and beauty care then she decided to travel to Lebanon in early 2022 seeking better opportunities but low salary and harsh conditions prompted her return after eight months.

Upon her return, Elein continued working as a freelance at various salons, often alongside her sister. She honed her skills through self-teaching leading to undeniable expertise in hairstyling.

With a vision for the future, Elein dreamed of opening her own salon, a joint venture with her sister, and with the help she got from Hope Center, this dream turned into reality.

Today, both sisters are determined to shoulder responsibilities and contribute to their family's expenses, facing life's challenges with unwavering resolve and great hopes.

Mufeed Hejazy, 28, lives with his family in a rented house in Dwallaa. His household consisted of his parents, his elder brother, who works at a goldsmith workshop, and his unemployed sister. Mufeed himself had volunteered for a charitable project in 2020 then he worked at a cosmetic company for two years until it closed. 

Mufeed and his family faced numerous hardships during the crisis in Syria, including his father suffering with chronic bronchitis which was very costly so they sought help from a local charity for the life-saving oxygen machine. Additionally, during the conflict in Maaloula in 2013, his father was kidnapped along with their car, requiring a hefty ransom of money for the release.

Despite the challenges, Mufeed persevered, seeking employment after the closure of the cosmetic company. However, finding stable work was difficult, especially since he didn't have the chance to gain any experience or education degree during his 9 years of military service.

With support from Hope Center, Mufeed was able to purchase a taxi, which formed a fresh start for him, a pathway to financial independence, and a means to navigate life's challenges without relying on others.

Alaa is a talented young man in his twenties, he lives with his parents and sister in Jaramana after being displaced from their home in Harasta due to the armed conflict in the area at the beginning of the Syrian crisis.

Alaa was always passionate about photography so he trained at a young age at a Clacket studio to learn more about this career, then he got employed at the communication department at SSSD as a photographer until 2018 trying to find better income to match the increasing costs of living.

Soon after, he started working at an event planning office as a photographer and videographer, but at the same time he was dreaming of having his own equipment that would enable him to establish private work and develop his career.

With the help of Hope Center, Alaa was supported to purchase a camera which was a dream coming true for him as he is able now to have his own photography session, and at the same time add his own signature which will empower his name in the field and open the chance of developing his work and improving his living conditions.

In the heart of a bustling area nestled a home where dreams brewed and aspirations soared. Dhyaa Al-Btros, his wife, and his family members lived within its walls, each floor holds a part of his close-knit family.

Since 2004, he delved into the field of confectionery, honing his skills by working at various pastry shops. In 2008 he was called for military service until 2010. Upon discharge, he returned to his roots in Khabab, opening a pastry shop until 2014 when adversity struck, so he relocated his shop to the Al-Dukhanieh area in Damascus, but the situation wasn't any better there as violent incidents and armed conflict took place in the area which resulted in the loss of his shop.

Undeterred, he adopted a novel approach, distributing goods via electric bicycles until 2019 when he was called again for the reserve service for three years before resuming the distribution of goods and biscuits, using his brother's electric bicycle.

Presently, Dhyaa toils in the morning as a warehouse worker, and by dusk, continues his work on a bicycle, aspiring to have a pick-up truck for efficient distribution, which would improve his income and release him from the hard morning work. 

considering this tapestry of trials and challenges, Dhyaa was supported by the Micro project program to purchase his own pick-up truck hoping to empower his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, improve his living conditions, and preserve his dignity.

Karin Jbeil, a woman of remarkable courage and determination, born in 1989, lived a journey of strength and self-discovery that shaped her life forever.

Married to Wissam Al Ramahin, a dedicated hospital employee, Karin’s life revolved around her family. With two precious children, Sharbel born in 2010, and Christelle in 2013, her days were filled with love and purpose.

Karin's entrepreneurial spirit ignited in 2008 when she enrolled in a nail and waxing course at the European Institute. From 2012 onwards, she began her journey offering her skills to the community. Her home, became her workplace, with a room dedicated to her craft.

The echoes of war that ravaged their area in subsequent years did not deter Karin. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, she persevered, balancing her career aspirations with the safety of her children so she started to work in a nearby childcare center for two years, ensuring stability for her family during tumultuous times.

As peace slowly returned to Dowella, Karin resumed her passion for beauty, working part-time at local salons but the low salary wasn’t worth the long hours she spent far from her kids. She yearned to establish her own beauty salon, equipped with nail and waxing services.

Having support from Hope Center to have her own salon not only empowered her to become financially independent, but also assured her that dreams can flourish, and lives can be transformed.