Abdullah Hatem, a hardworking 31-year-old with an entrepreneurial mindset, started his journey from a young age. He worked alongside his father, who owned a car mechanic workshop, but Abdullah did not envision himself working in the same field. Instead, he developed a keen interest in the art of garment printing. In 2012, he embarked on his journey and worked towards starting his own project and owning a workshop.

Abdullah's determination and hard work allowed him to save every penny he earned, aiming to purchase his very own shop. Initially, he rented a small space, but through persistent efforts, he eventually managed to buy his own workshop. However, the outbreak of war disrupted his business, causing a significant decline in his income. Additionally, he faced the challenge of acquiring the necessary printing equipment.

Abdullah made investments with a friend in an attempt to increase his income, but unfortunately, it did not yield favorable returns. Faced with these setbacks, he found himself in need of a helping hand to provide the push he required. With the assistance of Hope Center and access to essential equipment and materials, he aimed to boost the productivity and quality of his project. He found solace and guidance, which restored hope and determination to overcome all hardships.

Kevork is a 53-year-old skilled mechanic with over 30 years of experience in car maintenance and mechanics. He used to work in his workshop, which he owned since 2005. However, when the war started, his house in Aleppo was damaged by the ongoing shelling. As a result, he was forced to make the difficult decision of selling the equipment he had acquired through years of hard work and moving to Lebanon with his family.

From 2015 onwards, he resided in Lebanon along with his wife and his two sons. In 2018, he returned to Aleppo. Relying on his years of experience, he was determined to support his family.

Despite the challenges he faced, living with his parents, he remained committed to provide for his loved ones. With the assistance of the Hope Center, Kevork was able to obtain all the essential equipment he needed. With his revived business and experience, he was able to rebuild his thriving business.

Bassil Mssedy, a dedicated father in his 50s, worked as a blacksmith for 15 years in the industrial city of Aleppo. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the war made him jobless. The industrial area, once thriving, now lay in ruins.

Bassil and his wife used to reside in a rented house in Al Midan, an area that was heavily bombarded during the war. Tragedy struck one fateful day when a missile destroyed their home. Miraculously, they had left the house just an hour prior, escaping unharmed. Although relieved that their lives were spared, their house suffered significant damage, so they had to move in with their parents in 2014.

Despite their challenging circumstance and unemployment, Bassil managed to secure a position as a church keeper, working part-time. However, his income was barely sufficient to support his family. His wife worked at the airport to help her husband. Unfortunately, she also battled diabetes, adding further strain to their finances due to medical expenses.

Ensuring their basic needs became a daily challenge, as putting food on the table proved to be a constant struggle. They heavily relied on food baskets and cash aids to make ends meet. 

In the depths of despair, Bassil was filled with hope when he received assistance from the Hope Center. With the new taxi he received, he was able to increase his resilience and income, which brought stability to his life.

George Tabbakh is a skilled CNC machinist with 15 years of experience. He began his career in 1997 until 2002 when he decided to start his own business and invest in a metal lathing machine. George has always had a passion for personal development and enjoys immersing himself in new learning experiences. Aware of the potential of 3D printing and mechanical drawing, he attended numerous workshops and courses to enhance his skills with software like SolidWorks.

In 2008, George purchased his own 3D printer. Things were going well until the outbreak of war significantly impacted his business. Faced with financial challenges and a scarcity of jobs, George was forced to sell his equipment. However, in 2015, he resolved to rebuild his career and opened a new shop with the hope of reestablishing his work.

George encountered a multitude of difficulties and challenges. Despite working tirelessly to increase his income, the majority of his earnings were consumed by electricity bills, leaving little to provide for his family of three. His work particularly suffered from the absence of a CNC machine. Whenever a customer requested a small sample, George had to rely on others who owned such machines, often waiting for a month just to receive a sample due to the machine's scarcity in the city.

George and his wife made the conscious decision to stay in Aleppo, despite numerous opportunities to relocate. His wife also contributes to the family's income, supporting her husband through these challenging times. While they have hopes for better prospects in Syria, they are concerned about the low salaries and inflation.

With the support of hope centers, George finally obtained the necessary equipment for his job. The availability of the CNC machine has been a game-changer for his business, allowing him to produce samples quickly and efficiently. George remains dedicated to his craft, determined to make the most of this newfound opportunity to improve his financial situation and provide for his family.

Vahe Tashjian is a 56-year-old mechanic with 23 years of experience. In his younger years, he worked in Kuwait, but he later moved to Aleppo, where he found employment in various companies. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of war, the companies closed down, leaving him jobless. 

Vahe has always dreamt of owning his own workshop, but his previous attempts were unsuccessful due to the need for financial resources, in 2022, he briefly went to Dubai but got very ill. In less than a year, Vahe returned to Aleppo with great hopes and determination to establish his livelihood. Given his extensive experience, he no longer wanted to work as an employee. 

Luckily, through a friend, he managed to secure a temporary workshop without having to pay rent. As Vahe took his first steps in this new workspace, the recent earthquake impacting the already struggling job market and resulted in a severe decline in customers. This situation left him with no choice but to take matters into his own hands. In order to cut costs, he had to let go of his workers and do the hard physical work himself, which put strain on his health.

 After receiving approval for his project, Vahe felt a sense of relief. He could now bring back his dedicated workers and once again immerse himself in the job he loved. No longer needing to rely on borrowed equipment from others, Vahe was finally able to invest in his own tools and resources. He could provide for his family and generate a more substantial income.

Aziz is a determined young man, recently married to Rasha and waiting for their first born child.

He worked as a driver since 2009 and continued working in this job during his ten-years military service in Damascus, Rasha works as a nurse in a hospital and they live in a modest rented house. 

During his service aziz was injured in the leg then he was discharged and he started looking for a job to secure his life and future. His parents decided to travel and leave the country but Aziz decided to stay and he started looking for a job to secure his life; he started working night shifts at a beverage shop in a local neighborhood but the salary was low and the job included many troubles so he kept his faith and determined to search for a solution to enhance his situation. 

After getting married, Aziz responsibilities got bigger and he found the micro program as the best opportunity to get back to his original career as a driver, with the support he got the taxi and he can now improve his income and provide a good life for his wife and awaited child. 

Antoine had a good life before the war working as a hairdresser with great skill and many customers, in 2013 he was called for military service and had to serve for nine long years in Aleppo's suburbs which affected his health greatly as he was subject to many injuries from explosions.

Antoine suffered from a neurological condition that caused trembling in his hands and he no longer was able to continue in his original career of hairstyling, even grabbing the scissors became the most difficult task for him.

However, he didn't surrender and was determined to find a way to secure his livelihood especially that he is the breadwinner of the household that he shares with his parents and he looks after them; the family had to sell their house in Midan area after the brother was called to service so they can afford the increasing livelihood expenses.

He started working in a blacksmithing workshop but the income was insufficient and it demanded a lot of physical effort. With the support of the Micro Projects program, Antoine got a taxi that would help him make a better living and at the same time it is the most suitable job for his health condition, hopefully it will be the start of a better days to come for him and his loved ones. 

Haytham's journey in the world of tailoring began in 1988, Aleppo, During the war Haytham faced a great loss when his workshop in Shekh Maksoud was completely destroyed and all of his sewing machines and tools were stolen. He used to work alongside his brother for a short period of time, but circumstances led them to separate and focus on their individual projects. Haytham received his share of the profits, which he had planned for his own project, but instead, his wife got very sick so he had to use the money for her surgery. Unfortunately, destiny had a cruel twist in store for him as his beloved wife passed away after a heart surgery in 2014, leaving him devastated and alone.

In Haytham's time of despair, a friend suggested that he rent a workshop. Thankfully, the owners were understanding and charged him a minimal amount of rent, which was a relief considering the financial burden Haytham was already facing. However, there were additional expenses that Haytham had to bear, especially the high monthly private electricity bills. Most of his hard-earned income seemed to disappear into these bills, leaving him with little income to support himself.

Recently, Haytham received devastating news that the owners of the workshop were planning to sell the workshop, without even considering the impact it would have on him and on his son George. Determined not to let this happen, Haytham made the decision to upgrade the workshop in an attempt to prevent the owners from selling it. He planned to replace the outdated sewing machines with new ones that consumed only less electricity. This upgrade would not only modernize his workshop but also significantly reduce the electricity consumption.

With over 35 years of experience, Haytham has mastered the art of creating a wide variety of cotton-wear clothing, to both men and women, including pajamas and robes. As for his personal life, he and his son George live in a rented house. However, Haytham strives to provide the best life possible for his son and wishes to ensure a stable and successful future for him. Haytham's determination and drive are truly admirable. Growing up as an orphan, he experienced hardships at a very young age; however, his determination and passion for his craft have always been the driving forces in his life. Today, with the new machines and support from the Hope Center that Haytham has received, he has overcome challenges and secured a better future for himself and his beloved son, George.

Antoine is 28 years old, married and a father of a 1 year old lovely boy, he has served in the military for almost the last ten years of his life which has robbed him of any opportunity to pursue a career and build a future for his family.

with no experience and a very harsh economic situation of the country, Antoine put a lot of thinking of his next step in life, he looked for any job that would help him provide a decent life for his wife and newborn son, he started working in a soap factory but the salary is very low and not sufficient to make ends meet. 

The earthquake had a huge impact on this family, they lived in fear and were affected by the damages, the church helped them and continues to deliver a small monthly aid, unfortunately the situation is deteriorating with the inflation and the increasing living costs. 

Antoine found hope in the Micro Projects program when he applied for a taxi as it doesn't require a former experience and at the same time he can work long hours and make a better income to improve the livelihood of his loved ones. 

Salem Kadah, a 40-year-old tailor, chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a tailor himself. Before the war, he worked alongside his father. However, after his father passed away in 2003, Salem forged his own path and began working in jeans production, distributing products to high-end brands. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of war, his business was disrupted, which forced him to look for alternative sources of income.

In 2016-2017, Salem attempted to revive jeans production but faced significant challenges due to low-profit margins. Consequently, he shifted his focus to tailoring and repairing clothes, utilizing his father's shop. Unfortunately, outdated sewing machines consumed substantial amounts of electricity, the cost of electricity bills was eating into his already modest income.

Despite the difficult circumstances during the war when work opportunities were scarce, Salem always found a way to make ends meet and worked tirelessly; however, minimal income broke his thrive.

Today, with the support he received and his unwavering dedication, Salem now feels confident that his hardships will no longer go to waste on excessive bills. His wife also works and supports him, while together, they provide for their family. Salem seeks to upgrade his workshop, aiming to increase his income by expanding production rather than solely relying on clothes repair.

Upgrading his machinery will undoubtedly lower electricity consumption and save time and effort. Today with the support of Hope Center Salem's 20 years of experience and hard work have not been in vain. With renewed hope, he aspires to resume his job and provide good living for his family.

Mardiros a young barber with seven years of experience, he lives with his mother and bears the sole responsibility of being the family's breadwinner. As a talent in his craft, Mardiros was longing for the security and independence that came with owning his own barbershop. However, the lack of supportive environment and economic challenges of the country left him hesitant to take the leap. He meticulously calculated every aspect, and despite numerous attempts, he remained doubtful as it posed a significant risk.

Having endured the frustration of earning minimum salaries while working for others, Mardiros knew he needed his own equipment to establish his resilience. Mardiros had an idea to minimize the cost of rent, Mardiros's current barbershop decided to offer him the opportunity to rent a chair in their salon for his own customers. This arrangement enabled him to reduce rental expenses while still generating a steady source of income.

With the approval from the Hope Center, Mardiros received an incredible boost in confidence and support. Finally, he could embark on his journey towards independence. The burst of hope and opportunity provided by the Hope Center gave Mardiros the courage to chase his dreams, ensuring a brighter future for himself and his family. 

Nancy Samaan, an ambitious young girl from Tartous, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts and later relocated with her family to Aleppo. Nancy always had a clear vision of her passion for graphic design and poured her heart and soul into her work.

At a young age, in 2018, Nancy started her career as a graphic designer. However, she soon realized that her previous job didn't provide the opportunities she needed to improve her skills and profession. Determined to grow, she embarked on a new job that allowed her to explore photography, expanding her abilities and opening up diverse avenues in graphic design. She delved into areas like social media content creation and product advertisement.

After gaining five years of experience in the field, Nancy desired to work independently, driven by her longing for financial independence. She planned to achieve her goals step by step and began by building an impressive portfolio of her work, which earned her positive feedback from customers who admired her talent and expressed a desire to collaborate. Nancy leveraged social media platforms to showcase her work and gain recognition in the job market. With unwavering confidence and fearlessness, Nancy's ultimate dream career was to become an interior designer.

However, the unavailability of a laptop became the only obstacle hindering her success; One day, while working from home, Nancy's laptop suddenly stopped functioning due to a surge in electricity, resulting in the loss of all her files and documents.

Standing as Nancy's number one supporter, her mother is immensely proud of her daughter's determination and unwavering belief in her abilities. With the support she received from the CHC team, Nancy regained her confidence with her new laptop and took the first step towards realizing her dream and unleashing her boundless creativity to pursue a fulfilling career.

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 with a decent living.

In 2017, she made a brave move, moving her pharmacy to Al-Hamidia neighborhood. Here, she faced numerous challenges, particularly the scarcity of medications and the skyrocketing prices, which took a toll on her small business as she struggled to maintain the sustainability.

She sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program to strengthen her pharmacy and stock it with essential medications. With the support, her pharmacy thrived, offering vital medications to her community, and ensuring a better future for her family.

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 obstacle, Ghattas applied to the Micro Projects Program.

His application was for a mini-cultivator, which would help him save on plowing and spraying costs. Additionally, he sought assistance for a trailer and fertilizers tank. With this support, he could secure his family's financial stability and ensure the prosperity of their olive land.

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. They delved into this idea with the guidance of an experienced mentor in the field. Being from an agricultural area, he recognized the potential in vermicompost, a form of organic fertilizer produced through earthworm farming.

With unwavering determination, Ammar set his sights on creating a sustainable source of income for his family. He designed a project that revolved around two key aspects, producing high-quality compost and breeding earthworms. The vermicasts produced by these earthworms were rich in vital nutrients, making them ideal fertilizers that improved soil quality.

To bring his vision to life, Ammar needed specific resources such as tanks, earthworms, concrete tank construction, water tanks, an electric generator, water hoses, and a weighing scale. However, his financial situation posed a significant obstacle.

In his quest to overcome these challenges, he applied to the Micro Projects Program, with the provided support, Ammar obtained the necessary resources to launch his vermicompost project. As the earthworms multiplied and the project expanded, his dream transformed into a flourishing business, providing a better future for his family.

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 the workshop closed its doors in 2016.

Despite challenges, Georgette didn’t give up on her passion, repairing clothes at home with an old machine. Her dream of a small business became stronger and she aspired to assist her husband in providing a better life.

A positive turning point came when she applied to the Micro Projects Program. Her request for sewing machines and a solar power system was granted. With renewed hope, she could now work with dignity and generate a stable income, contributing to a brighter future for both her and Hosn. 

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 training under the guidance of a skilled nail care specialist. She practiced her newfound skills at home, using her trainer's kit as she couldn't afford her own.

Her dream was to start her micro-project, allowing her to provide for her family during these tough times. Her application to the Micro Projects Program was approved, and now she has her own kit, ready to offer her services and secure a brighter future for her family and all her effort and hard work will shine as she embarks on this new journey. 

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 assistant photographer for Suboro TV, a remarkable opportunity that further honed his craft.

Determined to make his own path, Samer resorted to social media to start his small photography business, initially by renting cameras to fulfill his customers requirements. 

His family, unable to afford a camera, relied on his father, a nurse at a medical laboratory, as the sole provider. Samer's dream was to ease the burden on his aging father, who supported his mother and sister.

His work encompassed a wide range of services, from photography in various domains to product and food marketing, alongside his role at Suboro TV. His goal was to have his own camera and equipment, transforming his passion into a sustainable livelihood.

In pursuit of this dream, Samer applied to the Micro Projects Program for support, with the assistance, he now possesses his own camera, enabling him to contribute significantly to his family's well-being. Samer's hard work has turned his passion into a source of hope and support for his loved ones. 

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 rebuild their lives. Recognizing her strength and potential, she applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. With the support she received, Sanaa invested in a battery to enhance her handmade pieces and secured essential raw materials for crafting candles and souvenirs.

Through hardship and loss, Sanaa's resilience prevailed. With the Micro Projects Program's help, she rebuilt her shop, proving that determination can conquer adversity.

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, symbolized her determination to build a better life. Her dream was to expand her business, offering not just sewing but also designing and clothing repairs. This was her path to improved productivity.

Hope came in the form of the Micro Projects Program. Despite the hardships she had endured, Matile saw a ray of hope through this program, a chance to turn her dreams into reality and provide a better living for her family. 

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, juice, and ice cream. That's when Nekoula learned about the Micro Projects Program.

With hope in his heart, he applied for a sustainable solution, a solar power system. This innovative change not only secured their family's livelihood but also saved them from the financial burden of fuel costs. The solar energy would now power their mini-market, a beacon of hope in the face of hardships.

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 time of need, Ahlam turned to the Micro Projects Program for support. This crucial assistance breathed new life into their shop, preventing its closure and allowing this passionate family to continue their journey in handicrafts and provide good living for their loved ones. 

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 faced a significant obstacle, the lack of resources to establish his own workshop. 

Determined not to let this setback hinder his dreams, he applied for the Micro Projects Program, seeking the opportunity to turn his passion and experience into a thriving business. With the program's support, he managed to start his workshop, his way to build a better life for his loved ones.

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 to provide stability for his family intensifie, the opportunity arrived in 2019, as he seized the chance to rent a small shop and establish his aluminum workshop. The initial hurdles were tiring; starting with basic tools and dealing with poor electricity supply.

The Micro Projects Program was a turning point. Recognizing the potential, he applied and secured crucial assistance. With the program's support, he acquired necessary equipment and an electric generator. This boost pushed his workshop forward, enabling him to offer a better life for his lovely family.

Nada had been working as a hairstylist for over 8 years, but she never felt satisfied with her job. She had worked for several different salons, but the owners always took most of the profit, leaving her with a meager salary. She had to support her parents-in-law whom she lives with in their house, as well as her husband and newborn baby, so she knew she had to find a better way to make a living.

She decided to start her own business by visiting her clients at their houses, but it wasn't as successful as she expected. She didn't have access to all the tools she needed, and it was difficult to attract new clients without a salon. She also worked for three years as an employee in a local association, but the low pay forced her to quit.

Her husband had also struggled to make ends meet. He works as a rented taxi driver, He had worked in Lebanon for 6 years, but all of his earnings went towards paying off the army to avoid serving.

Just when it seemed like everything was falling apart, Nada received some unexpected news, she had been granted funding by the micro project in Damascus. She was able to afford all the equipment she needed and open her own salon. She is finally able to achieve her dream of being a successful business owner.

Nada's now is able to provide a good life for her family, including her newborn daughter. With her hard work, Nada was able to overcome all obstacles and create a better future for her family.

Johnny Al-Deeb was one of the people who lost their livelihood resources during the devastating war. He worked as a bus driver since 2000 on Deir Al-Zor road, but soon after the war began, the road on which he drove became insecure and fraught with dangers, in addition to the kidnappings and killings incidents that affected drivers and passengers.

In order to save his life, Johnny had no choice but to quit his job and start looking for another source of income which ended up in selling a piece of land in the village to buy a car that allowed him to work in transferring passengers to and from the airport.

However, in 2015, his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and his father also had prostate cancer, so Johnny was forced to sell his car so he could afford the treatment expenses in Lebanon. Unfortunately, after all the efforts he made to treat his parents, they passed away in 2018 after a long period of suffering, leaving Johnny heartbroken.

Despite his bad psychological situation, he had to continue because he has a wife and a daughter who are looking up to him so he started working as a taxi driver on a monthly percentage but was seeking to have his own project that will allow him to improve his situation.

With the help of Hope Center, Johnny got the opportunity to purchase his own taxi which he considered a new chance for him to be independent and have the ability to make a difference in his living.

For more than twenty years, Malek was a prosperous business owner, as he had a shop selling auto car parts in the Al-Qadam area in Damascus. He also owned a house in which he lived with his family in Erbin area, and he was working to establish a good future for his children without expecting that the war would take away everything he worked for.

Due to the security incidents and armed clashes, Malek lost his shop including all the goods, then the armed conflict affected the area in which they live, which forced them to flee and take shelter at Mar Elias monastery, where they stayed for 15 days until they were able to move to another house without having any of their belongings with them.

Malek started working from scratch with the Church at the relief department for 4 years, but after the project was closed, he returned to work as a loading worker in a car parts store, but the loads were very heavy so he suffered an injury in his back vertebrae, and he could no longer continue working.

However, Malek refused to surrender so he started working on a rented pick-up car, selling food products and other goods to the shops and markets. All the family members were working together to handle the high expenses of living but that was quite difficult within the changing circumstances in the country.

Malek considered that supporting him to purchase a Mini-van was a new chance that will enable him to become independent and released from the high car-rental cost and get a better income.

From a head of department official at a Ceramic factory to a touring salesman on a bicycle in the morning and elderlies care worker in the evening, war shifted the life of Waleed Hoshan 

He is 53, married, and has two kids, Mariam and Wissam, he was working in the industrial city of Adraa as the department supervisor and his life was stable until 2012 when the armed conflict took place in the area turning it into a fighting zone which prevented Waleed from going to the work he had been in for 25 years.

During this period, he started working on his bicycle selling Plastic and Nylon bags but it was a very tiring job and with the price fluctuation, he became unable to gain a proper income so he started working at the Nuns Convent looking after elderlies and taking care of their health, and medication.

Waleed was very compassionate about his work with the elderlies and he felt that they became part of his family but the income was very low as it was considered voluntary work and he needed a project that will secure a decent living for his wife and kids. 

With determination and faith, Waleed applied at the Hope Center for a Plastic and Nylon bags shop, and considering his knowledge of markets and goods, he was approved to be supported to have his own project which will hopefully help this hardworking man in improving his living conditions. 

Simon comes from a loving and close-knit family who were living in a border village in the countryside of Homs called Alqseir. His father used to work as a farmer and his annual income was enough to provide his family with good living conditions.

However, all that changed with the beginning of the crisis in Syria, as the village of Alqseir was one of the first areas affected by the war according to its critical location on the Lebanese-Syrian borders that witnessed many armed conflicts and forced the citizens to flee out including Simon and his family who left without being able to take any of their belongings and lost everything they had in the village.

They moved to live in the city of Damascus, trying to start over in bad financial conditions which forced Simon to suspend his study and start working to afford the house demands.

He started working in an aluminum workshop and his brother helped him but Simon insisted on his siblings to continue their education while he took the responsibility of taking care of their expenses and handling the living expenses at the same time.

During recent years, Simon became unable to cope with the increasing costs of living so his parents and sisters returned to the village as his father started to work in agriculture but as a worker because he had to sell his land.

Simon stayed in Damascus with his brother working in an aluminum workshop, with a relatively low income, because he doesn’t have his own tools which made it very difficult for him to improve his living or support his family.

With Simon’s determination and the Hope Center support, he got the opportunity to have all the machines and equipment required to have his own Aluminum workshop so that this hardworking young man becomes able to make improvements in his work and personal life. 

Like any loving father, Nabil’s main interest in life is providing his kids with a decent living and supporting them to continue their education and become successful individuals in society, but the incidents he has been through during the previous years made this endeavor difficult.

Nabil and his family used to live in Qalaat Namera in Homs, he was working as a taxi driver and their financial situation was good but during the previous years, their area became insecure and they faced many dangers but he kept working hard to secure his family’s living. In 2019, Nabil discovered that his daughter Eliena was suffering from cancer and her health condition was critical, which necessitated the start of immediate treatment and intensive chemical doses.

He had no choice but to move with his family to Damascus in order to secure her medication but the cost of treatment was more than Nabil could afford so he had to sell his house and car to afford it, and he had to work as a taxi driver with only 30 percent of the profit to secure the daily living expenses.

Nabil was always praying for God to give him the will and strength to continue this life journey with no hesitation to work as hard as he could for the sake of his family.

With the help of Hope Center, Nabil was supported to purchase his own taxi that will help in increasing his income so that he could continue his message in life with independence and dignity.

Tony Shamieh comes from a modest family that all its members had to work and support each other to survive.

For this reason, he had to leave school at a young age and start working as a car washer then he learned to change cars’ oil and the workshop owner depended on him to run his work as he was hardworking and reliable.

however, soon after the beginning of the Syrian war, Tony was called for military service for seven years, later he was discharged in 2020, he went back home to find everything different as his brothers traveled abroad to work while his father was working as a private driver and suffering from a bad health condition.

Tony had to work to support himself and his family but his previous work at the car wash was no longer enough to afford the simplest living demands so he began working as a private driver for Al-Haseeb company selling its products in the markets.

However, no matter how hard he worked, at the end of the day, he was getting a low salary that was not equal to the increasing living expenses, so he turned to the Micro-projects program applying for the Mini-van project which will provide him with a better and sustainable income and help him compensate for the missing years in his life in order to establish a better living.

Like most of the youth of his age, Majed spent the last decade serving in the military service, facing dangers, and losing years of his life without being able to work or gain experience.

Majed Alsweiry is 31 and lives with his Mom in a Kashkoul area as his brother is still serving the military in Aleppo and his sisters are married.

Before he was called for service he was working at a Cocktail and sweet shop but during the service period he was a driver which gave him good experience in the field so after his discharge he tried to work as an accountant at a snacks restaurant in Damascus but the income was quite low comparing the increasing costs of living especially since he was responsible for his mother.

With the help of the micro-project program, he was supported to have his own taxi considering his good experience in driving and his long service period, hoping that this project will help him to compensate for the previous years in order to have a decent living.

Ramy Ahwash is 51, married to Maya Al-Messber, and they live in an old rented house in Bab Touma area.

He started working in marketing and sales since 1990 and for 15 years he worked in Al-Nuaimi Company as a sales manager and warehouse officer in Al-Yarmouk camp.

However, after the start of the war in Syria, the armed groups entered Al-Yarmouk camp and spread violence all over the place, which made Rami unable to enter the area and take his stored goods then he was informed that the entire warehouse had been stolen, which made him lose all that he worked for in the last years. soon after, the company itself Went out of business due to the lack of security in the country, making Ramy jobless but he didn't hesitate to change his career and work as a school mentor with a low salary just to provide his daily food.

In 2018, he decided to quit his school work and return to working as a sales representative moving between several companies and looking for a better income but most companies used his sales skills without giving him any percentage of the profits so he felt a great injustice because he was not rewarded with a salary worthy of his hard work.

With great self-confidence, he applied to the Hope Center asking for support to have a closed Suzuki saying:

"I know all the markets, the traders, and the companies, I can sell anything to anyone" 

His vehicle will lead to an increase in income and an improvement in his living.

It is never easy for any woman to raise two daughters alone and look after her old-sick mother at the same time especially during wartime and troublesome conditions, but Randa Kazko was strong enough to defeat all her circumstances.

Randa is 55 years old, divorced, and has two daughters Sandy born in 1992, and Christine born in 1995.

Before the war, Randa was living in Saydnaya with her husband and daughters, she used to work at the monastery in cleaning and cooking in order to support her husband with the house demands, but after the beginning of the crisis, she moved to Damascus with her daughters, learned the profession of nail care and beauty, then she started to work at many salons to gain an experience. Randa was good at her work, and everybody loved her so her work started to increase and she gained many customers daily. During that period, her daughter Sandy got married and had an adorable baby but things didn't work out with her husband so she got separated from him and returned to live with her mother which added to Randa's responsibilities especially since her mother was sick and she was taking care of her and her medication costs.

Randa was doing her best, working at Salons, doing additional work at customers’ houses, and giving training sessions for new trainees. she was aiming to have her own center where she has her materials, tools, and a place to train but that was difficult to achieve during the current conditions so she turned to the Micro-projects center in Damascus asking for support. 

Today, after being supported to have her own Nails Care center, Randa is more than grateful because for the first time, she feels independent and comfortable doing the work she likes without having to share her income with anyone else and at the same time have the ability to improve her job and secure good life for her loved ones.

Louai is a hardworking individual who was raised by his mother in a small, rented house. Unfortunately, Louai's mother had health issues, and she had to cut a part of her foot. She needs another surgery to amputate the other foot because of diabetes, but unfortunately, they can’t afford it.

In 2009, Louai got injured while he was working. The nerve in his hand was affected, and he lost the ability to continue his career with electricity, even after treatment for two years. It was a difficult time for Louai and his mother as they struggled to make ends meet.

Louai knew he needed to find a new job to support his family. He started working with electronics sales in multiple shops for low salary. For years, he worked hard and saved every penny he earned but life was getting harder by each passing day.

With the support to purchase all the supplies he needed by the micro project in Damascus, Louai's shop is now up and running. He is finally able to work and grow his business. He will work tirelessly every day to ensure his shop will be successful and make enough money to provide for his mother's medical care.

Despite all the challenges he faced, Louai never lost hope or gave up. He was determined to create a better life for himself and his mother. His perseverance and hard work paid off.

“I was born with speech impediment, which formed a great obstacle since my childhood and prevented me from doing many things in life, such as completing my education or having a decent job”

With great effort, George was able to share these touching words with us.

He is a 26 single, and heartbroken young man. Since he was a child he had to face difficult obstacles due to his speech disability which forced him to leave school and start working to afford the family's expenses since they are living in the village and suffering hard financial conditions.

George traveled to Lebanon in 2019 where he worked in delivering stationaries to libraries, in 2021, he returned to Syria and started working on an old pick-up car in delivering goods to support himself and his family.

Unfortunately, due to an engine failure, and its high maintenance costs, George couldn’t continue working and had to sell his car at a low price and became jobless.

He tried to look for other jobs but it was so hard for him to work for any employers due to his disability and the only solution that would take him out of this state was to have his private work so he applied to the micro-project program for a pick-up car depending on his former customers and good knowledge of prices and products.

Today, after the fund, George restored an important part of his dignity because he is not forced to work for anyone and face the difficulties he used to have before. on the contrary, he got the hold of his job and life.