There’s something satisfying and fulfilling about practicing a job you love, far more than the financial aspects of it. It is what makes Ohannes (the former goldsmith) wants to go work as a Silversmith.

Ohannes is 55 years old, he used to work in a Goldsmith workshop since 1980, in his long years of practice he refined his skills and gained a great deal of experience in this work, and although he wasn’t self-employed but he loved what he did. His workshop was located in Al-Midan area when in 2012, the armed conflict reached the heart of the city and going to work became extremely dangerous. However, it wasn’t the main reason for closing the workshop where he worked and the majority of similar workshops. The economic instability and the constantly rising value of precious metals, in addition to the currency value, all played a major role in ending such kind of crafts and thus, many goldsmiths like Ohannes became jobless. 

Al-Moushieh area, where Ohannes lived with his wife Yeghsabet and his son Hagop became an easy target of mortar shells falling around every day, it was a rough period; they didn’t know what to do specially financially, the family then was depending on Yeghsapet’s salary to survive (she was an employee in a local shipping company). As things were becoming harder each and every day, Hagop started helping with the income. In 2016, with the withdrawal of weaponry from the civilian areas, Ohannes found a job too, he started working in cables installation and still practices the job. But the gold or silversmith was always what he wanted to do. He even was working on and off in that field between the years of 2012-2016. 

Today Ohannes wants to be working in silver crafting, the only thing he needs is the tools and equipment which are expensive these days, and he can’t buy them on his own. Furthermore, what makes this project special this time is that Hagop, Ohannes’s son, showed an interest in this craft too, he will be helping his father in adding a more youthful touch and modern designs to the work and his mother also is enthusiastic about learning and getting involved in their hopefully thriving family business. 

In 2014, Antoine's struggle with the disease changed the course of his family’s life forever.

Antoine Fattal who’s 61-years-old works as a car mechanic, he used to own a workshop in Bustan Al Basha and at the same time he is the father of three sons; Naeem, Morris and George. With the start of the war the series of losses started with the armed groups confiscating Bustan Al-Basha area, Antoine lost his workplace and all equipment. 

It was a difficult time for the family, Morris and George were called for the mandatory military service with the start of war in 2011, 2012. George was sent away to serve in Deir Al-Zor; a city long kept under siege, while Morris was sent to Damascus. The two young men went through life-threatening situations and George was even injured at one occasion when he was in Deir Al-Zor. However, things weren’t that easy for their old father Antoine either, it was then when he found out about a disease that was growing silently inside his body, Antoine had cancer…

The disease exhausted Antoine’s body, and eventually he went through kidney removal in 2014 to eradicate the cancerous tissue. The recovery took a long time and costed Antoine all he had, his savings were not enough so he had to sell the house he owned and move into a rented apartment. 

The surgery, the chemotherapy, and the hard life circumstances drained Antoine’s financial resources, and made him in desperate need of a job, specially that the church aid did not cover more than 50% of his medical costs in addition to a little help regarding the rent and the food basics.

For a while Antoine helped his son Naeem in his second-hand clothes shop, but the business was slow and not enough for two, after that Antoine considered returning to his original career, but the fumes and his critical health condition didn’t mix well. Before further due, the illness struck again, Antoine had a set back and was going through chemotherapy for the second time after less than 4 years. 

Today Antoine has finished his therapy and is recovering gradually, he is ready and willing to work and be productive again, although this time his options has narrowed, but he found a thing that suits him the most; Antoine’s idea was to have a mini pick-up truck to load with groceries from main markets and sell in his surrounding neighborhoods, but what makes this project convenient for him is that driving doesn’t take much effort and doesn’t pressure his health, at the same time it will be an efficient source of income for him and for his wife.  

The constantly increasing costs of living accompanied with the decreasing value of currency caused by the economic crisis, is a real challenge facing the working class and making survival harder than it already is in a country torn by war.

Elias knows a lot about this challenge, he is a newly married and a father of two little children; Charbel who’s 3 and Michaella who’s 2 years old. Since 2010, Elias has worked as a driver, in addition to his job in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for seven years with a very modest salary while living in his family’s house in Telephone Hawaae.

Since the war a lot has changed, life became so complicated financially and the falling missiles and shells were not making it easier, especially in the years of 2013-2014. The situation was frustrating to a degree that made Elias leave the city temporarily and go to Mashta Alhelou. When things calmed down, Elias came back and started looking for a job, he decided to rent a taxi to provide his living since it was the thing that he knows best, but with the arrival of his newborn children and the increasing expenses of the family, the struggle began to build up again.

Between the basic needs of the family and the needs of the two babies, Elias was getting exhausted, however the straw that broke his back was the profit raise his car owner demanded from him, so Elias had to quit, he reached out and applied for his project to have his own car to be able to provide for his family and take care of his children and mother who lives with them under the same roof. Giving this chance to 32-years-old Elias, will be life changing, specially that driving has been his longest practiced profession.  

Emad Al-Abdalla is a 48-years-old father of two; Waheeb (9 years old) and Amila, (12 years old). He and his wife Rana are originally from a village in the countryside of Homs city called “Kfarbo”, a long time ago the couple decided to settle down in Aleppo and raise their kids in the city.

Emad who studied Hotels Management has been working in several places around the city, and Rana is an elementary school teacher. They’ve always teamed-up to provide the best life possible for their precious two angels. 

Long before the war, Emad was planning to buy a car to work on as a taxicab in the city, he was already working two shifts for long hours in cafés and restaurants to be able to achieve that goal one day. But the war overshadowed the country in 2011 and made all dreams other than surviving unrealistic. 

Emad and Rana were desperate to make things work financially and to protect their kids’ safety at the same time, especially since their house was in Al-Midan; an area that suffered immensely from the armed conflict. Despite the enormous destruction in the surroundings and the many casualties in their neighborhood, Al-Abdalla’s were fortunate enough to have only minor damages in the house (balcony, doors and walls), and luckily Rana and the kids were away in the village at the time of the incident. 

Emad that has been working hard and saving a good amount of money, due to the constant decrease in the currency value, is now in need of help to be able to purchase the car that he plans to work on after his shifts. It will be very helpful in securing the growing needs of the family of four, and to lighten the heavy burden for the struggling parents. 

In a city afflicted with war it is a miracle to survive without any injuries, specially if you live in Al-Midan neighborhood which was a target for the missiles and mortar shells for many years.

Eiad Razzouk is a 48-years-old former chef in some of Aleppo’s most famous restaurants, specialized in Western cuisine. With his wife Nisreen, the couple have 3 Children; Jessica (19 years old), Elias (14 years old) and Pierre (10 years old).

When Pierre was still a toddler, the war reached Aleppo city. Razzouk family used to live in their rented house in Al-Midan, it is actually where Eiad was injured with a shrapnel from a mortar shell attack. In 2014, the area was heavily targeted, leaving people seeking safety in the buildings’ shelters, for several days the situation was unbearable, eventually when things were seemingly calmer. Eiad got out and went to his house, it was then when suddenly an explosion occurred and his arm was injured. After that, the family moved between many places and finally into Eiad’s brother-in-law’s apartment.               

The majority of the restaurants Eiad used to work in have been closed, or those in the old city were even destroyed. Eiad managed to find an office job in the blood bank where his wife Nisreen works. However, their modest salaries are not enough for the family’s livelihood. Eiad then thought how good and stable the income from working on a taxi could provide, remembering his own experience when back in 2003 to 2007 he worked as a driver. 

That’s why he wants a taxi with the help of the micro projects, it will allow him to increase his income majorly and improve the family’s way of life. 

It’s a brave decision to start a family in a country that is caught up in a nearly decade long war, and each person needs the help and support of one’s family to make it work on every level. Tawfik Zreik and his wife Rim were lucky to have this kind of support from both of their parents. 

The couple tied the knot in 2016, their marital house was offered to them by Tawfik’s father since it is extremely hard to purchase a property in this economic crisis, despite his own losses (where the father has already lost his carpentry workshop in Sheikh Maksoud which Tawfik used to work in). 

Tawfik had to search for a job, hence he started working in Al-Mahaba bakery but since his salary wasn’t enough, he also used to work in the weekends in a mobile’s maintenance and retail shop for a short while. At first Rim was working to provide alongside her husband, but with the arrival of their first son; George, she had to put her career on hold in order to take care of her son, this change in the family’s income made Tawfik’s financial responsibilities greater than ever. 

It is then when he heard about the micro projects, knowing about the program made him think of many things, a taxi was the most profitable and it will give Tawfik the financial independence he needs, and a better income for the family at the same time, specially that he will keep his job in the bakery and work on the taxi in the afternoon to increase his income and provide a better life for his family of three.

On the fifth floor of a small building in Al-Midan area, lives Kotukjian family.

The 34-years-old Loutfi and his wife Bayan share a two-room tiny apartment with Loutfi’s parents. 

Their neighborhood had its fair share of bombs and mortar shells during the war, one of them was so close that it caused damages to the house, Loutfi’s mother went through a breakdown, it has been years since the incident happened in 2013, when doctors diagnosed her with an incurable neural damage. Despite this tragic injury and all the bad conditions, Loutfi’s parents refused to leave their house.

Loutfi didn’t want to stay, specially after losing the majority of his clients due to immigration and displacement of large numbers of Syrians, let alone the bad condition of electricity in the city, which is a thing that most mattered for his profession of 20 years as an electrician. Loutfi made his mind and went to Tartous in an attempt to find a job there, for a while he worked with his brother-in-law in elevators’ installation and maintenance, a job that was a lot different from his original profession. Loutfi endured the harsh situation for one year, then things in Aleppo became much better and Bayan; his wife, became pregnant, Loutfi was fed up from living away from his parents and he decided to come back home.

Like Loutfi himself, many of his old clients returned to the city and they encouraged him to return to his old job that he loved a lot. But it is harder done than said, he needs new equipment and to replace a part of his old tools, in addition to renting a small shop in a good neighborhood to ensure a good work flow and customers, all that needs to be done fast with his first child already on the way. 

This opportunity will give Loutfi a good start of his business, and provide a good income for the family and for his parents too. 

Being a bus driver and working on the roads between cities in a country struck by war is an extremely dangerous profession, that’s what Zaki Dikran said, when he was telling us his story.

Since 1989, Zaki Became a bus driver for Armenian Central high school, a job he practiced during school season, in the summer vacation he had the flexibility to work on the road between the Syrian cities, that enabled him to provide for his wife Amira and two daughters.

His job was going great, Zaki was already working on two vehicles, and he was working an additional part time job at a plastic manufacturing factory in Al-Zerbe area. But unfortunately, the war came and changed the lives of the people completely. The roads in many Rural areas became filled with muggers, and even threatened with all the attacks and bombings, thus land travel became impossible.

Zaki himself witnessed an incident where armed groups stopped the bus he was driving to take two passengers as hostages, this horrible experience was nothing compared to the time when on his way to the factory in Al-Zerbe armed groups confiscated his car and gave him a very hard time. Zaki couldn’t stay anymore, specially that their house in Al-Midan was also in danger with constant bombings and missile attacks, so he took his family and went to Lebanon where his oldest daughter was already living with her husband.

In order to survive, Zaki became dependent on the financial help; whether it was from the church or from his brother or daughter, which is something that Zaki is not used to, this man has always been a hard worker, independent man, and he wishes to continue doing what he loves, since he and his family are back now after the relatively calm in the city of Aleppo. 

Helping Zaki to have a car is more than offering him a livelihood, it will have the greatest impact on many aspects of the family’s life status. 

As the year 2013 began, the war has already overcome Aleppo, mortar shells and missiles disturbed the city’s peace and changed many families’ lives forever. A lot of innocent people were injured, and even more were killed, leaving behind grieving hearts like Ghassan and his wife Gracia. 

Ghassan (52 years old) and Gracia (47 years old) with their two sons George and John used to have a quiet life in their rented house in Al Jabrieh area where Ghassan used to work as a car driver for a transportation company in order to provide for his family, as he was the sole provider, his wife Gracia was a stayed-home mom while the boys were university students.

On a dim morning in 2013, George the oldest son was studying for his exams when an explosion occurred in that particular moment of shock on his balcony when George realized that his forehead was covered in blood, he rushed outside seeking help and the neighbors took him to the hospital to discover that a bullet was in his skull, but fortunately enough a surgery was done to extract it from his head, but this incident was overwhelming for the whole family. 

Four months after this horrendous incident, another tragedy struck Ghassan’s family, this time a mortar shell took his second son’s life in a blink of an eye… John was only 16 years old at that time.

Ghassan was devastated, his health was deteriorating and he found out that he had diabetes and it was hard for him to accept his loss and move forward, specially that life was getting harder each day after the roads were closed so he couldn’t go back to his old profession. 

However, in order to support his family, Ghassan resorted to selling groceries specially that the responsibility of providing was once again on his shoulders after his son George traveled to Lebanon to study theology there. 

Getting this Pick-up truck will be life changing to Ghassan; he will use it to transfer groceries from main markets and sell it to local shops, which will increase his income and provide a more comfortable life for Ghassan and Gracia.

Jean Domat used to be a professional photographer, he owned his own small studio in Bustan Al-Basha area and a prosperous business in photography. 

This 47-year-old man fell in love with the camera from an early age, he worked hard and doubled his efforts in his old job in car parts retail, in order to save enough money to purchase his first camera and do what he loved.

His sincere efforts paid off, he learnt the techniques quickly and became very popular in this career.Unfortunately, the war quickly changed Jean's path. His studio was located between two areas Bustan Al-Basha and Al-Helloq, which suffered from massive destruction and evacuated from civilians as the armed groups took over the houses and shops. Soon, the whole neighborhood became a battlefield, Jean lost everything he owned, his cameras, equipment and the studio itself that he invested all his saving in renting it. 

Despite all that he didn’t give up, he was responsible of his old parents while all his siblings were living abroad. During the years of war, Jean found himself obliged to find a job in order to bring food to the table. He rented a taxi and worked on it, having nothing to lose he gave it a go.

Despite that the income was reasonable, but whoever knows the situation of Aleppo city in 2012 and 2013 can’t deny how dangerous it was to be in wandering in the streets prone to all kinds of threats from being kidnapped to being injured by mortars or shrapnel. However, those dark years have passed now and the overall situation is better, allowing the life forms to be active again, which means that the events are slowly returning to the community life and the need for photographers is increasing again. Jean started getting offers to work with other photographers as a freelancer, the thing that revived hope in his heart.

He even wanted to reopen a studio, like the one he used to own, but it would cost him a fortune now. It is why he chose the driving job when he applied for the micro program. Having a car will allow him to keep his job as a freelance photographer but at the same time he will be able to save some money, and who knows, maybe in the future the dream of having a studio could be turned into reality for this hardworking man.       

Many craftsmen took it upon themselves to restore their workshops in the area of Bustan Al-Basha, and Pierre Ghazzi is one of them. 

Pierre is a 57 years old single man, who lives with his mother Olga and takes care of her, and recently his brother and nephew moved in with them. each of Pierre and his brother are workshops owners in Bustan Al-Basha. 

When armed groups took over the area, they forced all the craftsmen to leave their workplaces by force and Pierre wasn’t an exception. 

During war time, Pierre’s brother went to check on their shops and what he saw broke his heart and took his hope; the walls were perforated, it was clear that soon enough they’ll either collapse or the equipment inside will be robbed, but getting them out of there was impossible. Their house also wasn’t safe, the missiles and bombshells were falling all around them throughout the years, but that didn’t make them leave, they endured all the hardships. 

During the war their source of income was from Pierre working on-and-off in the workshops of his friends, and from his brother’s salary, but that wasn’t enough to survive 8 years of war. 

When armed groups withdrew from the area, Pierre went back to his workshop, it was damaged severely, but the inhabitants of his building were one of the first to come back to their houses, and the repairments began starting from the infrastructure that was destroyed completely. Pierre paid for the rehabilitation costs himself but that made him unable to invest in purchasing new equipment and tools to replace the stolen ones. 

Pierre is now optimistic that the wheel of work is turning even if slowly, but he believes in a while all the workshop owners will return to the area and open their businesses. All he needs is a little help to repurchase the equipment and start working again and then hopefully things will turn around for the better.

My name is Rita, I am 37 years old, my husband is Carlo Kisso and we have two beautiful daughters, Anna Maria who is 13 years old and Joe who is 14 years old, both of them are school students. I work as a clothes fashion designer in a workshop which belongs to my aunt, who was generous to give me the workshop with a low rent as she knows that I cannot afford a big monthly payment. Unfortunately, now she wants to give the workshop to her daughter to work in, so I am forced to leave it. My husband works in a dental laboratory, but because of the crisis in Aleppo most of the dentists that he used to work with travelled abroad, so I had to depend more on myself as the provider for the family. I want to open my own clothes gallery, and I have very big dreams for my career, my customers always encourage me to open my own business, but I don’t have the financial ability for such project. This project will help my family, and give me the chance to prove myself in pursuing my ambition in doing what I love the most.

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.