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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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.

 

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

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...


Read More

Hairdressing Salon


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...


Read More

Taxi


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...


Read More