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.


702

Aleppo

704

Homs

324

Damascus

Dental Lab


Art can take many forms, you can find it in paintings, sculptures, movies and even in songs, whereas Sarkis found art in dental prostheses making.

Sarkis Bertizian is a dental prosthesis fabricator who lives in the city of Aleppo. His love for art and dentistry was united in his profession. During the war years, Sarkis’s father died after battling with cancer. The loss of his father was very hard on him, he found himself responsible of his family and although he...


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Nursing Kit


Rizk-Allah Rawik is an ambitious 24-year-old, since he was a little boy, he always dreamt of treating the ill and helping those in need. Thus, when he grew up, he decided to become a nurse, he studied for two years in a healthcare institution, and currently, he works night shifts in a hospital, but still; working for 3 days a week isn’t enough to make him a decent income. 

After the economy of the country collapsed, providing a decent life for...


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Barbershop Equipment


Antranig is a kind and talented barber who has a small salon in the city of Aleppo, he started his career in 2003, and his good reputation in the neighborhood played a huge role in the launch of his career. The war didn’t stop Antranig from doing his job but at the same time working in a dangerous city had many tragic consequences, someone like Antranig could leave his house in the morning without knowing if he would ever be...


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Winding Engines and Motors


George Armenag is a 48-year-old man living with his sister in their parents' house. He used to work in his own shop in Aleppo fixing engines and selling electrical supplies.

When the war started George’s shop was destroyed and robbed, therefore he had to sell his shop at a very low value. With this small amount of money, George and his sister managed to maintain a decent living and keep the household running.

With no income, George knew he had to do...


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Potato Cutting Machine


Enad Dahdal is a 36 years, from Aleppo, he finished his military service in 2018 after serving for 8 years. During this time Enad was located in a dangerous area very close to fire lines, one night while he was up protecting the civilians an attack occurred where Enad got injured in his knee. He underwent 3 operations to recover the injury, and luckily with many physiotherapy sessions, he was able to walk again.

Going through such hard times, Enad faced...


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Homemade Sweets


Nihad Ghazal is a 65-year-old with a passion for baking and making pastry since her childhood; she used to make all different types of pastries and give them to her friends at school to try.

As she grew older her love for pastry grew bigger, she used to help her mother with cooking and doing kitchen chores, that’s how she learned her mother’s baking recipes, her secrets and tricks for a perfect bake.

The Ghazal sisters suffered from the war, but unlike...


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Beauty Center


Alina is a young woman who lives with her parents; her father works as a car mechanic in a rental shop. Alina’s family traveled to Armenia from 2015 to 2017. Her brother stayed there. After her return, she completed her studies and obtained a baccalaureate degree. In 2021, she took courses related to the field of cosmetics. it all started as a hobby then she started working in a beauty center where she practiced and gained experience.

Aina wants to be the boss of her own project, but she was hesitant to open a salon because of her financial situation and the coordination between her job at the beauty center and her own business.

Thanks to Hope Center Alina became hopeful again, it helped her gain independence for owning a business and now she is ready to thrive.

Recording Studio Equipment


During the war in Syria, Antoine and his family faced many life-threatening moments;“One day, me and my family was coming back home, after parking our car, we heard a loud explosion so we immediately ran to safety, after checking that everyone was okay, we were shocked that a shell had hit our car and it was entirely destroyed.” Surviving such a traumatizing event left the family in a terrible state, they also had to evacuate their house and move to...


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Dental Clinic


Carla Ishak is an ambitious dentist who recently graduated from Aleppo university, being a dentist was her long-lasting dream. When she was a little girl, she used to go to her father’s clinic to watch him at his job while pretending to be his assistant.

Going through the war in Syria was harsh for Carla and her family, as they had to evacuate their home due to several bombings. The prolonged fights and the damage it caused forced the family to...


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Charcoal Workshop


After a devastating ten years of war and an awful earthquake, Fares Jesri found himself and his pregnant wife lost in a chaotic situation full of challenges. 

Fares used to earn his living working as a waiter in a café in Aleppo when out of nowhere the devastating earthquake that caused massive destruction and disrupted the livelihoods of many has cost Fares his source of income.

His strong will to provide for his family that was about to grow with the baby...


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Tailoring Workshop


In 1989, out of many professions “young Bedros” decided to follow his passion for making suits and designing men's clothing.

Life was peaceful and prosperous for Bedros and his family, his business was growing and he was making a good name for himself, especially when he moved from Idleb to Aleppo to work with larger tailoring workshops that were located in the city. 

When the war started Bedros lost everything in his hometown; his house, his small shop and all that he...


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Sweets and Pastries


In the early days of the war, Dolly's family was among the first to leave Aleppo. Faced with loss, fear, and danger, they made the bold decision to move to Beirut. Living there for six years was not easy for a family of four. Both Dolly and her husband worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Dolly had the opportunity to work in a bakery in Beirut, where she gained valuable experience. However, when the crisis started, the family had...


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Mini Pick-up Truck


Danny, a devoted father and husband, resides with his family in a rented home within Al-Arman neighborhood. In the years preceding the war, he toiled as a restaurant employee until 2009, when his duties shifted to mandatory military service, spanning long nine years. 

Rejoining civilian life in 2015, he returned to the service industry, his lack of formal education and specialized skills limited his pursuit of entrepreneurship. Facing mounting financial constraints, Danny's optimism was revived when he heard about the Micro...


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Mini-Market


Ranim, a devoted wife and mother, shares a modest rented home with her husband Wassim, their young son, and her father-in-law. 

To support her husband's earnings, she took a bold step by leasing a small shop early in 2023, creating a charming mini-market. Recognizing its potential, she turned to the Micro Projects Program for aid in strengthening her small project. With a vision to cater to the community's needs, she diligently stocked the store with various goods.

Ranim's determination shone as she nurtured the new business, seeking to uplift her family's financial stability. Through perseverance and the program's support, her mini-market now flourishes, augmenting their income and fostering hope in their shared future.

Wall Painting Equipment


At only 13 years old, Samer shouldered the responsibility of supporting his mother and siblings after his father's passing. Despite the limited resources, he honed his craft for 20 years. However, adversity struck when his equipment was stolen during the war in Sadad.

For a decade, he sought opportunities in Lebanon to secure a better life for his family. But, when circumstances grew challenging, he had to return home. Undeterred, he collaborated with other craftsmen due to his lack of tools.

Hope...


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Mini-Market


Samira, a dedicated mother of two, has been managing her mini-market alongside her husband for over a decade. Their small shop offers food commodities, where the fridges are filled with dairy products, ice cream, and juices. However, their thriving business faced a significant setback as frequent blackouts had their negative impact on their perishable goods, resulting in substantial losses.

Determined to find a sustainable solution, Samira and her husband thought, and decided that installing a solar power system was the way...


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Wheat, Olive, and Vegetables Land


Ehssan is a farmer whose determination runs as deep as his planted olive trees and golden wheat in Qattinah village. His family of five, including his wife and three aspiring students, mirrors the vitality of his land. Amidst an irrigation network and water well, a missing motor hindered the progress.

Unfortunately, few months ago, the family lost an important source of income when their livestock was stolen. 

Then emerges the Micro Projects Program, a beacon of change. A mini-cultivator was a great...


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Chicken Shop


Diaa, a resilient family man, moved to Fairouza village after his parents' demise, seeking solace alongside his two daughters and supportive wife. Leaving Damascus behind, he embarked on a fresh start among his sisters in Fairouza. In November 2022, a small shop became his last resort, where he sold frozen chicken and fish. This modest project, which his wife played a crucial role in, provided their livelihood.

Realizing the significance of a stable power supply, Diaa sought aid from the Micro...


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Mini-Market


Retired from his government job, Sayel refused to let limited pension funds dictate the quality of life for his wife, Manal, their son George, and his elderly mother.

In 2019, he embarked on a new chapter by opening a modest mini-market. However, the unforgiving effects of economic crisis and inflation hindered his ability to stock the store adequately.

Yet, hope emerged in the form of the Micro Projects Program. Sayel recognized it as a transformative opportunity, a chance to revive his micro-business.

Now, the mini-market shelves once devoid of abundance stand as an example of change and renewed hope for a better tomorrow.

Mini-Market


Fadi, a dedicated single man, shares his home in Fairouza village with his elder mother. After losing his father and seeing his siblings establish their own families, he faced life's challenges head-on. He explored various professions until 2019 when he established a small mini-market.

The rising prices and fierce competition tested his resilience, making it difficult to keep his store stocked adequately. 

In search of a solution, he turned to the Micro Projects program. Drawing from his prior experience attending a dairy preparation training, he aspires to diversify his mini-market by introducing dairy products. 

With the program's support, Fadi is determined to revive his micro-project and secure a stable future for both himself and his beloved mother.

Potatoes and Wheat Land


Mttanos, a resilient farmer from Qattinah village, who despite all the responsibilities, he carried on, determined to provide for his beloved family. Though separated by distance, his sons ventured to Lebanon, driven by the hope of finding better opportunities.Left behind in the village were Mttanos, his wife Samar, and their lovely daughter Maya. The responsibility of providing for them rested solely on Mttanos' aging shoulders when he retired at the dawn of 2023. 

His younger son Yazan battled a debilitating health...


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Wheat, Vegetables, and Olive Land


Ibrahim, a devoted father and husband, hails from the village of Qattinah. Responsible for a family of seven, his days were filled with caring for his four young daughters, his wife Roula, and his elderly mother. Life has been harsh on him, but he persevered as a farmer, relying on his land as their sole source of sustenance.

Tragedy struck during the ravages of war when his precious olive trees, along with his small house, were mercilessly consumed by flames. Over...


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Pharmacy


Ranim, a young lady from Qattinah, lives with her parents, brother, aunt, and grandfather. After graduating from the faculty of pharmacy in 2022, she diligently practiced for two years to gain valuable experience. Her lifelong dream was to own her pharmacy.

Then, she learned about the Micro Projects Program, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to turn her dream into reality. Fueled by determination, she applied for the program. A few months later, she was accepted and received the necessary support.

With...


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Potatoes, Wheat, and Vegetables Land


Anwar, a devoted father and husband in Qattinah village, tends to farming his land alongside his two sons, both university students. 

With vast farming experience, he nurtures thriving trees and vegetables, aided by a vital water well for irrigation. As economic circumstances got worse, plowing cost became a heavy financial burden, particularly for Anwar, who relied on a rented tractor, straining his finances.

Anwar sought aid from the Micro Projects Program. This program offered a mini-cultivator and spraying pump, alleviating plowing and spraying costs. Now, he efficiently secures his family's livelihood and preserves their tranquil life in Qattinah.

 

Pick-up truck


Suffering is an inseparable companion of war, especially for those who were injured and became incapacitated and unable to practice their life normally like in the case of Ebrahim Aldawod. After turning 18, Ebrahim was called for military service and stayed until  2011 when the war took place so he was kept as a reserve soldier for the next four years. however, in 2015 Ebrahim was exposed to a car accident during his service and was hurt badly which caused...


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Dental Clinic


Karina Issa graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry full of ambition, dreaming to become a successful dentist and have her own clinic. 

She did her training period with a doctor in Safita village where she also performed for rural service. Then in 2017, she got married to Kinan Dagher and moved to live with him in Dwalaa area in Damascus and they had their lovely daughter Anita. 

During that period Karina volunteered at St. Joseph dispensary and served the community and the...


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Pick-up Truck


For most of his life, Abd Al-Ahad struggled against difficult circumstances and the lack of job opportunities in the country especially since he was working as a government employee for a modest salary and wasn't able to find an additional job during the years of war as it was challenging for anyone to find a good income source. 

Abd Al-Ahad had no choice but to stay in his job as a private driver at the Directorate of Livestock in the industrial...


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Plumbing Workshop


Rimon Eid is 31 years old, married to Joelle Smara, and has a newborn daughter named Stephanie

Rimon began his professional career at an early age when he learned the plumbing career and started working in partnership with his cousin. He quickly became a professional in this career and had his own customers.

Like any ambitious young man in his prime, Rimon was seeking to improve his financial situation and increase his income, so in 2009 he traveled to Lebanon in search...


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Taxi


“After all the hardships I had been through, I was about to lose hope, but now I feel like life finally smiled at me”

This is how Tony Al-Ahmar expressed his feelings after being supported with the taxi project.

Tony Al-Ahmar is 35 years old, married to Jina Abboud and they have an adorable baby called Rudolf. Before the crisis, Tony worked as a catering officer in various restaurants and he was doing his best to save money and build up a...


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Taxi


Fady Darweesh is 28 years old, newly married to Salwa and they live in a rented flat in Kashkoul. He was raised in a modest family and had to start working at an early age to handle his own expenses and help with the house demands. He was 18 when he started to work as a house painter, spending most of the day from one workshop to another trying his best to afford the livelihood costs.

In 2014, Fady was called...


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Taxi


Kinan had no opportunity to work or do any job for about a decade because after starting his twenties and finishing his education, he was called for military service, and for the next ten years all that he learned about was being a driver because he was appointed during the service as vehicles driver.  

In 2021 Kinan’s brother joined the service so that Kinan could be discharged as being the household only provider and for the first time in ten years...


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Taxi


Like most young men of his age, Elias Al-Mezel had to start working from an early age to help his parents with the living demands.

He is 26 and lives with his family in his grandfather's house in Al-Dwalaa, his father was working as a shoemaker but he started to suffer from Asthma in addition to other health issues that made him unable to work. on the other hand, his mother’s health was also in bad condition which forced Elias to...


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Hairdressing Salon


Caroline is a 27 single woman who lives with her parents and her brother Fady in Kashkoul, Damascus suburb, she was raised in a united family and learned that all the family members should work to support each other through the good and the bad.

Caroline‘s father worked in tiling for most of the day and her brother Fady started working as a hairdresser but they both couldn’t afford the house demands so Caroline had to work as a secretary in...


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Mini-Van


In the blink of an eye, Rashid turned from a dreamer teenager into a man burdened with worries and responsibilities. Rashid was the only brother to four sisters and was living happily with his family in good financial condition and many spaces were open in his way.

All of that vanished at the age of sixteen when his father got sick and needed long intensive treatment that forced them to sell the house, and the car and spend all the savings...


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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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