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.


650

Aleppo

605

Homs

230

Damascus

Spraying Wood Furniture


I lost my workshop in Shekh-Kheder area and I became unemployed, then I heard about this initiative and found a shop for rent, I have to work although I am too old for this hard job but it is the only way other than begging for money. If I got this workshop I'll be able to provide for my family and keep my dignity.

Sewing Workshop


Ibrahim is a married man who has a 3 years old daughter. During war, he could not find a job so he volunteered with the army. His recruitment location in the army is so dangerous, but he has to get an income in any possible way in order to provide a decent life for his wife and daughter. He lives in his mother-in-law’s house and he is the sole provider for her and his family. He wants a workshop to work with his cousin in sewing clothes and ironing them. He is constantly thinking about the future of his daughter and his family and he wants to be able to give them the best as any other father dreams. This project will give him a new start, to work in a safe workshop, to be more around for his family and little daughter who doesn’t get the chance to spent time with her father.

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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Pharmacy


Majd, a pharmacist, embarked on her journey in 2000 when she graduated from the faculty of pharmacy. She diligently completed her rural service in 2003 as per Syrian laws. Alongside her pharmacy, she ventured into medicine marketing in rural Homs until 2010. However, in 2011, the onset of war forced her to relocate her activities to the city of Homs.

Majd is married to Toni, a doctor, and they are parents to three children. Together, they strive to provide their family...


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Olive Land


Ghattas, a hardworking farmer from Qattinah village, faces the challenge of plowing costs for his olive land. With a loving family, including his wife Mariana and a baby girl Lamitta, they all reside with his parents and sisters. To provide extra support for his family, he works at a factory.

However, the financial burden of plowing expenses became overwhelming. Renting a tractor was increasingly costly, especially as the land required plowing four times a year, possibly more. Determined to overcome this...


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Organic Fertilizer Production


Ammar, from Qattinah village, is the sole provider for his wife and their five-year old son. Once a taxi driver, he embarked on a journey that led to the loss of everything he had worked for when his attempt to travel abroad turned out to be a fraudulent scheme. Determined to provide for his small family, Ammar and his wife embarked on a new venture.

A glimmer of hope emerged when his wife learned about the potential of producing organic compost....


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Sewing Machines


In 1997, Georgette honed her sewing skills at a reputable sewing workshop, but her dreams were temporarily put on hold when she married Hosn in 1999. Life took a challenging turn during the war, as her husband's work in stone cladding was negatively affected.

In 2013, they relocated to a village near Homs, hoping for better prospects. Georgette found work in a sewing workshop. When the workshop moved to Homs in 2014, they moved back and she became a supervisor, but...


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Nail Care Kit


Sara's life took a challenging turn when her father passed away, leaving her, her mother, and her two brothers to navigate life's hardships alone. With one brother serving in mandatory military service and the other seeking opportunities abroad, she felt a deep responsibility to contribute to her family's well-being.

Despite her determination, working at various stores didn't provide the income needed to support her loved ones. In 2022, Sara saw a ray of hope when she attended a specialized nail care...


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Photography


Samer, a third-year civil engineering student, is an inspiring young man with a remarkable journey. Three years ago, he embarked on a path as a photographer, starting with humble beginnings. His journey began at the iconic Um Al-Zennar church in Homs, where he worked as a journalist for the church's Facebook page, armed only with a mobile phone to capture the moments.

His dedication led him to a photography training course, refining his skills. He soon found himself working as an...


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Crafts and Souvenir Shop


Sanaa, a retired French language teacher, found herself facing the harsh realities of life after her husband's unfortunate passing due to the cruel war that had affected the country. Living with her son and two daughters, they endured the devastating loss of their car in 2012 and further destruction when their house was hit by another shell in 2017, severely impacting her cherished crafts and souvenir shop.

After her husband's tragic death in 2018, she courageously reopened her shop, eager to...


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Sewing Machines


Matile's life has been a journey of hard work and sacrifice. Divorced five years ago and tragically losing her older son in an accident, she found herself the sole provider for her elderly mother and her son George. 
With a background as a seamstress since 1989, she decided to take control of her destiny in 2022. Tired of low wages and exhausting work, she rented a small space and established her own workshop.

Her workshop, equipped with only one old sewing machine,...


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Mini-Market


Nekoula and Samar, the parents of twins, faced adversity when the war in Homs city left them with nothing. They made a fresh start in Fairouza village, where Nekoula, once a carpenter, had to change his profession due to a health condition in 2016. Together, they opened a mini-market to support their family.

Their mini-market, filled with various goods, faced a constant struggle due to unreliable electricity, forcing them to rely on costly generators to power their two refrigerators for dairy,...


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Crafts and Souvenir Shop


Ahlam, an employee at the University of Homs, and her retired architect husband faced financial challenges while raising their two children. 

Seven years ago, they took a leap of faith and established their own small shop, selling what is left from Ahlam's jewelry and delving into handicrafts. The neighborhood embraced their creativity, and their project thrived. Utilizing his architectural skills, her husband began crafting unique designs for their shop.

However, in recent years, rising prices threatened their shop, their lifeline. In their...


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Car Repairing Workshop


Bahjat, a skillful car repair mechanician with over 15 years of experience, honed his skills in the workshops of Homs and Lebanon. His journey began in Rableh village, where he first delved into the world of car repair. After four years in Lebanon, he returned to Rableh but later moved to Fairouza village in 2022. There, he rented a house, got engaged driven by his dreams of starting a family with the woman he loved.

Despite his wealth of expertise, Bahjat...


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Aluminum Workshop


From his modest beginnings, Wissam's journey reflected resilience and determination. His path to mastering his profession began at an aluminum workshop in 2007. However, his dreams were interrupted by an 8-year-long mandatory military service. Despite the setbacks, he persevered, driven by his role as a husband and father of two young children.

In 2015, the life of this family took an unexpected turn when displacement forced them to leave their village, settling in a rented house in Homs city. Wissam's longed...


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Barbershop


When someone has been through terrible trauma and they’re starting a new life from scratch, it’s not easy for them to recover especially if they were living in a post-war period like the case of Yazan Sayegh.

He is 25 and lives with his parents and sister in Kashkoul. Yazan was 18 when the family received the news of his brother’s death during his military service in Aleppo. Such news was devastating for the whole family especially Yazan who had to...


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Perfume and Cosmetics Shop


Mariam always believed that there is no limit to what she could accomplish despite all the difficulties she had been through

She is 40 years old, divorced, and originally from Tartous but lives alone in a small room in Damascus. Mariam got married at a young age but after seven years she got divorced and returned with her kids to live at her parents' house in Tartous. She didn’t hesitate to continue her education and was enrolled at the trade and...


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Laser Machine


Maram Mahfoud 31, is an independent, hardworking woman, who was always strong enough to stand alone in the face of difficult circumstances.

She lives with her parents in an old room in Bab Sharqi. Her father used to work at a sanitary maintenance workshop but after getting old, his health didn’t allow him to keep working which affected their financial conditions. Despite her young age, Maram decided to start working and support her parents so she enrolled in a make-up course...


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Mini-Van


Johnny Fallouh is 33 years old, he is newly married and soon to be a father. In 2006, he started his career as a pastry chef and was passionate about this job but in 2011 he was called to join the military service and thought that it would be for two years and then he would go back to continue his normal life and the work he loves.

Unfortunately, his service coincided with the beginning of the war in Syria, it...


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Wood Cutting Factory


With a deep wound in his heart, Jan Samaan was struggling each day to continue his life journey and improve his condition.

Jan was worked as a carpenter since 1990 as he established a carpentry workshop in partnership with his friend specializing in the field of kitchens and bedrooms. Together they worked hard to improve their business.

However, during the war, the carpentry work decreased and their income became not enough for both of them so his friend decided to end the...


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Pick-up Truck


“All the incidents we went through during the years of war were no harder than holding my son bleeding and seeing him fighting death to survive”

This is how Samer explained his tragedies during the Syrian war.

Samer Deeb is 49 years old, married to Roula Memary, and has two sons Elias born in 2004 and Gabi born in 2006. He lives with his family and sick mother at a modest flat in Dwalaa area.

Before the crisis, Samer was working as a...


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Pick-up Truck


Firas had to face enormous difficulties in his life as he was responsible for his sick mother and disabled sister in addition to the household demands so he started working as a mini-bus driver at a young age seeking direct income to afford the living expenses.

He was working on Darayya-Damascus transportation line but after the start of the war, it became very dangerous to work there then the area was closed due to the armed conflict making Firas lose his...


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Electric Keyboard


As a talented musician, George's career started in 2006, he was playing his favorite instrument “the Electric Keyboard” in various locations performing beautiful musical sets.

George had a great passion for music and wanted to deliver his music love to everyone believing that this is an important message in his life, so he took classes at many schools and started teaching music to children until 2014 when the situation deteriorated badly and the teaching income was very low compared to the...


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Blacksmith Workshop


Samaan is 35, unmarried, and lives with his parents and his grandmother. He has three brothers; Alaa and Jalal are married and live separately while Bashar is in military service which made Samaan the breadwinner of the house and responsible for his parents and his sick granny.

Before the war, his family lived in the village of Al-Adeedah, his father was a blacksmith so after turning 15, he started to help him at the workshop and learned the profession, in 2008...


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Stationery Shop


As a determined man, age was never an obstacle in Youssef’s life.

He was a hard-working employee for more than 23 years at a governmental institution then he retired and started to do freelance work, seeking one target in his life which is providing his kids with a safe and comfortable environment.

During the crises, the situation started to decline and his income became unstable so he decided to collect his savings and start a small stationary shop in the neighborhood to...


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Shoe-making Workshop


Nabil Farhat, a shoemaker for more than 25 years, is originally from Lebanon, came to Syria in the late eighties, learned the profession of shoemaking, and decided to continue his life in this beloved country.

He got married and had three kids and was very known in his field as many factories were dealing with him due to his meticulous professional work and kind attitude with customers, he considered Syria as his homeland and was feeling grateful to this country who...


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Sewing Workshop


Rabee has always been an expert at sewing, he had even owned his own workshop since 2003 in a small village, where he lived with his wife and three kids.

However, trouble came knocking at his door when an armed group attacked the area. Rabee and his family had to flee for their lives, leaving behind their rented small house and all their belongings, including his beloved sewing workshop.

Rabee had to start from scratch and find a way to provide for...


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