Micro-Projects is a livelihood-support program which helps family providers who had either lost their livelihood during the war, or aspire to be a productive and financially independent part of the community by starting their own income generating business. By financing their micro-projects, Christian Hope Center is helping Christian families to have a sustainable source of income, through the provision of equipment, machinery and tools. This will eventually mitigate the economic harm caused by increasing poverty and insecurity, preserve their dignity, and alleviate the calamities of war and the economic crisis, which will ultimately preserve the existence of an active Christian community in Syria. In addition to the Micro-Projects supported in Cities of Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, the program also supports families who rely on agriculture as their principal source of income in rural Homs.


612

Aleppo

467

Homs

176

Damascus

Spare Parts for Cars


Joseph mashek is a married man who has two sons one of them is an employee in a barber shop and the second one is a student. His wife is unemployed. He has some spare parts that he keeps at home and sometimes he sells them for the shops next to his house. He used to work as an employee in a spare parts shop but he left his job because his salary was low. He moved from Al Midan to Sulimaniah for...


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Taxi


My name is Nofal Yousef, I am 42 years old, I live with my parents and I look after them, our house is in Awjet Al-jeb, Aleppo. I am originally a goldsmith, I learned this craft since I was young, the designs I made were very distinguished and handmade unlike the other designs made by the machines. When the war started in Syria, the economic situation got deteriorated rapidly and in 2010 the work stopped. From 2010 to 2013, I worked in a...


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Electrical Equipment


Rizk-allah is newly married, living in a rented house and he is currently working as an employee in an electrical equipment shop. Before the war Rizk-allah had his own equipment which he worked with between houses, but during the war a missile fell on Slemanyeh area and affected him badly he was laying on the ground unable to move then he passed out. Later he was taken to a hospital; his leg was injured, and his equipment was stolen. His wife recently started working in a sewing workshop. “after the incident I could not work, so my wife started looking for a job but the income is very little and we are trying to start a family soon therefore I want to go back to my business and my customers but I need some support and this initiative will be the hope of a new beginning”.

Glass Painting Tools and Handmade Crafts.


“I love painting and I used to teach it in a school until the war happened, the area which the school was located at became very dangerous so they shut it down and I was unemployed, now I work in the church’s library but I am still passionate about hand crafting and glass painting but I need special tools and colors in order to make things that I can sell and make a good income, especially that I have a health condition ( I live with only one lung) that limits my movement and the effort I make before I feel tired so this job is perfect for me and with the help of this initiative I will be able to make living on my own without risking my health.”

Tailoring Machines


Nojoud lives with her mother and she is currently engaged, the mother used to work in the tailoring business and Nojoud inherited this love for the tailoring from her, she worked in the summer school for Al-Enaye; she also works in tailoring workshops in the summer with her brother who has a big experience in this field. “the whole family works in this business; my brother recently opened his own workshop with some savings but it still needs machines and I want to work with him and make my own income especially that I’m starting a new life.” These machines will be very useful for this family; the married brother and Nojoud with their mother, and will help her providing a livelihood income for 3 homes.

Ironsmithing Workshop


George had an ironsmithing workshop in Ramoseh area that he had to sell when things started to get dangerous there, one time he went to the shop and found his equipment gone, then he got employed in a paper factory; shortly afterwards the factory got ruined and he was unemployed and without any income for his family of a wife and three children who are still in school. “Now I work for the churches when they need any maintenance works, I have monthly payments on my house for the bank, I wish with the help of this initiative to rent a workshop and work as a blacksmith again especially that my old customers still know me and they are encouraging me to reopen.”

New Hair


A center for implementing hair wigs with the suitable equipment for medical cases such as early balding and cancer patients. The center is in Slemanye area which was damaged greatly during war time, that made the business slower, customers were afraid to come to this area and the shop was partly ruined by bombs. Due to the lack of income and incapability of buying new materials with high costs, the shop gradually became neglected and was unfit anymore for procedures of cutting hair and wig installation, the health department sent few warnings about renovation issues. The shop provides livelihood income for 3 families, also it helps the cancer recovering patients to feel good about themselves and have their self-esteem back.

Industrial Compressors Workshop


Razmig had a workshop for industrial compressors before the crisis in Bawabet Al-Qasab area. That area was heavily damaged and became too dangerous for anyone to be able to go there. Before the crisis, when he was a university student, he used to supervise the workshop after his classes every day, but after his graduation he was employed in a bank. during the war, the bank needed to let go of some of its employees and Razmig lost his job,...


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Kasak Restaurant


After shutting down the project in the JRS, we found ourselves jobless, we lived on our life savings, then we came up with this idea that the need for food is never fading,it's primary and thus we can provide a steady income through opening this restaurant, it will also be helpful to revive the community and serve a delicious food in addition to an enjoyable time.

Taxi


 

My name is Elias Zghen, 37 years old from Aleppo, Syria.

I am married to Maria Toutinji, we have two children; Rita 9 years old, and George 4 years.

I am also responsible for my brother Rami who is autistic, he is 30 years old, and he has been living with me since the beginning of the war, I take care of all his needs, my other brother George recently started to help me in this matter.

I used to work as a...


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Mini Pick-up Truck


As a father of two, a head of a family and a hardworking breadwinner, Joseph had been through lots of hardships in order to keep his family safe and secure a decent life for them all. 

Losing his carpentry workshop which was located in Alsheikh maksoud didn’t stop him from fighting for a decent life for his family and did not prevent him from selling goods in streets to survive. Neither the falling bombshells could get tgo them and although they...


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Sandwich Shop


Every situation in life and every lane of work can enrich our experiences and can teach us valuable lessons that we can carry with us and project on any situation we face, this is what Hanna learnt through his long search for a career.  

The 54 years old, father of two has been joggling jobs to be able to support his family. he's been a salesman, a warehouse keeper, a pastry shop worker and a sales representative in addition to...


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Spray Painting Equipment


Imad learned this profession from his father and developed his skills over time, he used to work with him before the military service that lasted for nine years.

He lives with his parents and brother; he immediately resumed working when he was discharged in order to help in providing for the family.

His craft heavily relies on electricity, which was the thing that hindered Imad's productivity during the current circumstances. He tried to carry on working while using an electric generator that...


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Mini-Winch


Elian, a construction worker who struggled due to the mounting financial obligations and lack of opportunities, thought of a way to increase his income and added another service to his work, which involves lifting construction materials with a mini-winch that he bought with some friends' assistance.

He lives with his brother Adel after their parents passed away and all of their siblings got married and went into their own lives.

But Elian's inability to generate a sufficient income was actually hindered by...


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Sewing Machines


Shireen represents the strong working woman and the selfless mother who devoted her entire life for her family and didn’t give up no matter how hard the circumstances were.

She is married and the mother of three children, two boys and a girl, and her family is originally from the war-torn village of Al-Qaryatein. 

2015 was the year Shireen and her family were kidnapped by the armed groups that attacked their home village and deprived them of the peaceful life they used...


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Mini-Market


Reem opened her small mini-market using a part of her house back in 2015 to help her husband, who is an employee, secure a decent living for their two sons.

Her project was damaged by the sharp increase in prices during the past few years, which affected the amounts of merchandise in it and decreased the generated income.

For Reem's family, the mini-market is considered as their primary source of income, and she depends on it to guarantee that her kids will have good life and education. 

Providing the market with the required goods and commodities will make a positive shift in this family's life and give the opportunity for the parents to get some financial stability.

Accessories Shop


Maria and her family were left with a lot of responsibility, but the resilient young woman has shown strength in overcoming all the difficulties following her father's tragic passing.

She lives with her mother and older brother, Alaa, while her younger brother, Elie, traveled abroad to seek his opportunities.

Maria had previously worked for six years in the field of selling accessories and clothes, which helped her gain valuable expertise, and encouraged her to start a business, and in order to assure...


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Electrical Installation Equipment


Subhi left school at an early age and immediately started looking for a source of livelihood in order to support his family as the only son of his parents. He tried a variety of professions before his brother-in-law taught him about electrical installation, and they began working together in 2014.

Today, Subhi lives in Fairouza village with his wife and their 3-year-old son, along with his elderly parents.

After nine years of working in this field, Subhi managed to acquire all the...


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Electrical Installation and Maintenance


In 2010, Nidal and his wife Badiaa started their small family, and today they are the parents of two boys, Elias (10 years old) and Elie (8 years old). The family of four lives in a rented apartment, and Nidal is their sole provider.

They used to live in the war-torn neighborhood of Bab Al-Sebaa until they were compelled to leave because of the war dangers, and Fairouza village was their new home after starting a new life there. 

Nidal is an...


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Nail Care Kit


Catherine, the family's youngest daughter, made the decision to pursue her own career and life path.

When she realized that the major she had been studying was not what she was passionate about, she began working in a hair salon, where she discovered her true passion. The experience she gained at the salon was not enough for the ambitious young lady, who attended specialized courses to broaden her skills and utilize her talent in the best way.

She lives with her parents;...


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Nail Care Kit


Jackie and her husband Mikhail are young parents who are doing their best to give their 3-year-old daughter Tatiana a happy life. The small family rents an apartment in Fairouza village; Mikhail owns a vegetable shop, and when their financial obligations started to increase, Jackie decided to support him in finding an additional income.

For Jackie, nail art was just a hobby until she realized she could use her talent to support her family. In 2021, Jackie turned a spare room...


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Floor Tiling Equipment


Toni is the sole provider for his wife and their three children; two daughters and a son.

He works as a floor tiler between Homs city and Fairouza village, with more than 20 years of experience. His profession is primarily dependent on the availability of adequate electricity, and during the past few years, his productivity was hindered due to the lack of energy in the country.

With the new tools and the electric generator he has now thanks to the Micro Projects Program, Toni will be better able to complete his job and ensure his family has a better income. 

Floor Tiling Equipment


Marwan, a well-known floor tiler from Homs City, is married and the father of three children; two sons and a daughter.

When the devastating war began, he moved with his family to Fairouza village; because they were residing in the Bab Al-Sebaa neighborhood, their home was destroyed and Marwan lost his equipment.

With the resources at hand, he was able to purchase some basic tools and resume work. He also taught his younger son Elian his profession, and the two of them started working together while his elder son Milad works as a tailor, and the three work hard to support the family.

The skilled craftsman needed to improve his work and have all necessary tools, particularly the electric generator, which would boost his productivity and increase his income.

Electrical Installation Equipment


After retiring from his job as a craft trainer at the electrical institute, Khaddour was able to devote all of his time to his career in electrical installation and maintenance, which he started in 1984.

He is the sole provider for his wife and their two children, Ornina and Fadi, who are university students.

Khaddour's entire equipment was stolen while he was working at a construction site in February 2022, which caused him to lose his primary source of income. His wife...


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Taxi


Samir is a husband and a father of 2 young kids that he devoted his life to providing them with what they need for a good life, especially for his son, who suffers from asthma and needs to visit the hospital every now and then to recover. 

Samir works two shifts every day as a valet at a hotel and even though he works for long hours he still barely makes enough to survive

Back in 2010, Samir used to own an optical...


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Law Office


Nidal always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. He studied hard and graduated from law university in 2001. However, his family's financial situation prevented him from finishing his degree, and he had to work as a government employee after graduation. He also had to help his father in their small grocery shop next to their house.

Years went by, and in 2019, Nidal finally finished his studies and became a lawyer. He started working under the supervision of a professional attorney, and...


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Taxi


Youssef had always been a hardworking man. He spent most of his life as a government employee, dedicating himself to his job with diligence and determination. However, as the years went on, his age began to catch up with him, and he found himself suffering from a series of health issues that made it increasingly difficult for him to work as he used to. he had already undergone a hernia surgery and a digestive system operation in recent years, and...


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Mini-Van


Wasef  was content with his work until the war broke out, forcing him to serve in the most dangerous areas. Despite the risks, he remained determined to survive. 

Years went by, and Wasef witnessed countless heart-wrenching moments that often left him with a heavy heart. However, in 2018, something even more devastating happened. While on duty, he got injured by being exposed to poisonous gas, causing him to lose one of his lungs.

Wasef's injuries limited his work options, and he found...


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Taxi


life had not been easy for Riad. He has two young children and a wife who works as a babysitter to help make ends meet, to add to his troubles, his two sisters were married to men that had been diagnosed with deadly diseases, and Riad took on the responsibility of supporting them as well.

Riad had always been a hard worker. For over 20 years he had worked with gold, crafting delicate and intricate pieces that were traded all around...


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Pick-up truck


Rawad was just a boy when he lost both his parents, he had to start working hard from a young age to make a living. He worked on farms in his hometown and various jobs here and there to make a living, but life was tough.

When the time came for Rawad to serve in the army in 2011, he was sent to one of the most dangerous area in Syria - Daraa where he spent 10 years on the frontlines,...


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Pharmacy


Randa was born and raised in the small village of Khabab, where her parents had settled after retiring. She lived with her family, which included her brother who serve in the army, and her sister who work as a teacher.

After completing her high school education, Randa was lucky to receive a scholarship to study in Damascus, along with her sister and brother; Randa worked hard to earn her degree and was overjoyed when she graduated.

Afterward, Randa started her career as...


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Pick-up truck


Samer is a hardworking husband and loving father of two young children including a newborn baby. The four of them rent a small house in the countryside. He used to work in automotive electronics but had to stop due to a debilitating condition called Sciatica; this condition has not only prevented him from continuing to work in his field but has also limited his ability to work in any job because he is in immense constant physical pain.  

Samer needs surgery that...


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Pickup truck


Nidal's life has been full of struggles and hardships that would have broken the resolve of the strongest men; Nidal has faced numerous challenges that have threatened his family's survival. He is a husband, a father, and a grandfather that had to endure the weight of responsibility for his loved ones' well-being.

With a small two-room house, Nidal's living conditions have never been the best. Still, he has managed to provide his family a roof over their heads. His eldest son...


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Taxi


Youssef woke up to the sound of his mother's sewing machine that she used to earn some extra money. in the small rented house where they lived with his older brother. They had been struggling to make ends meet since his father passed away years ago. 

Youssef had studied in college, but the war situation forced him to leave and serve in the army from 2018 to 2021. It was a difficult time, but he managed to pull through with the...


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Taxi


Danny always knew that life wasn't going to be easy. He grew up in a small village near Swaidaa, in the countryside of Syria. Danny's father was their sole provider, working as a farmer to feed his family. Danny helped him since he was old enough to pick vegetables and deliver them to the local market.

When Danny was only 18 years old, his father passed away from cancer. It was a huge shock to the family. Danny had to take...


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Tattoo Artist


Sandra had always been the reliable one in her family. As the eldest child, she had taken on the role of mother and sister to her younger brother, especially after their mother passed away in 2012.

It was a devastating loss for the family, but especially for Sandra and her brother. Their mother had a heart attack after hearing about an explosion where her son was at that time. The trauma of losing her son overwhelmed her and led to her...


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