Leon, like many Syrians, experienced drastic changes in his life due to the war. It took a toll on him when he found himself in a difficult situation, having to sell his lathing machine in 2014 to protect it from being stolen. This machine held immense value for Leon, as it represented 23 years of experience and dedication to his craft.

To provide for his family, Leon resorted to renting a lathing machine. Unfortunately, as time went on, the cost of the rent became increasingly high. Leon had hoped to save money and increase his income, but the relentless inflation posed a challenge. To make matters worse, the owner of the machine continuously raised the rent price, making it even more challenging for Leon to bear this heavy burden.

Living a decent life and supporting his family became an ongoing struggle for Leon. Eventually, he reached a breaking point; His ultimate goal was to have the freedom of owning his own machine. Levon applied for micro-projects, and to his delight, his application was approved. Leon felt very grateful and was ready to embark on a new chapter in his life, free from the burden of paying rent and now he is able to secure a better living for his family.

Elias, a dedicated father with strong work ethics, has always worked hard in physically-demanding jobs to provide for his son and daughter. However, tragedies seemed to persist for Elias; after losing his house in Sheikh Maksoud during the war, along with all furniture and belongings, Elias was devastated. 

Adding to his struggles, Elias also suffered a decline in his health due to working multiple tiresome jobs such as car washing and gardening, just to put food on the table. His wife also worked hard to help her husband.

The family, after losing everything they had, relied on food baskets and aid from the church. Elias work had a detrimental effect on his health, leading to Disc Disease and requiring costly medication bills.

It seemed like a dead end for Elias until he heard about the Hope Center; applying for a taxi car project to increase his income, Elias knew he had no other choice which would be suitable for his health condition. Thankfully, Elias was able to continue working despite his health condition and provide for his lovely family.

Dr. Dagad Krikorian has dedicated 23 years of his life to dentistry and caring for his patients. He's not just a skilled dentist, he's a compassionate soul who looks after his mother. 

In the year 2000, Dr. Dagad established his own dental clinic in the modest neighborhood of Al Midan. He has always had a sense of helpfulness and often worked free of charge for people in need. However, over time, the equipment in his clinic seemed to wear out, and he couldn’t afford to buy new ones. 

With his hard-earned savings, he did what he could to keep the clinic going, like small renovations, but he couldn't afford more. His equipment had become totally unusable, old, and weary, which could cause side effects for his patients and be potentially dangerous.

Dr. Dagad applied for micro projects, and with the program support, he was able to revive his practice and continue bringing bright smiles to the face of his patients.

Silvy is well known for her positive attitude and her famous sandwiches. Greeting her customers with a smile, Silvy works at her fast food shop and as a part-time school teacher. 

After a while, she retired from her teaching job to focus solely on her fast-food business. With 11 years of experience, Silvy gained recognition in the Aziziye neighborhood. However, despite her hard work, Silvy and her two co-workers felt devastated upon seeing their effort result in low income, especially as their equipment began to wear out and needed replacement. 

In order to increase her income, Silvy wanted to add new recipes to her menu, which required an additional fryer. Alongside fees, rent, and electricity bills, Silvy and her co-workers found themselves on the brink of closing their business. 

Silvy applied for micro-projects and received the support she needed. Now, with new recipes and increased customers, Silvy is set to boost her income. She and her female co-workers exemplify empowered women who work hard to provide for themselves and their community.

Shadi, a hardworking and devoted 28-year-old, found himself facing daily struggles after his father's heart disease. He became the sole caregiver for his parents, Shadi had to make sacrifices, eventually dropping out of university to provide for his family. His sister had moved abroad to Germany, leaving him as the only child to tend to their parents' needs.

Despite the challenges, Shadi always had a passion for fixing things. He honed his skills and managed to rent a small shop for mobile maintenance, which provided a decent income for his family. However, this business was disrupted when he was asked to pay a fee of a staggering two and a half million Syrian pounds, forcing him to shut down the business. With no other option, Shadi had to work for someone else's shop, earning only 40% of the total income. This drastic change left him feeling constrained and financially strained, as his repairing equipment became overused and outdated, in desperate need of replacement.

After experiencing disappointment, by an attempt to find a way out, Shadi studied the area in which he was currently working, identifying a service that was lacking in the region which is, mobile screen maintenance. Determined to improve his financial situation, he made the decision to expand his work and apply his project to Hope Center. Thanks to micro-project support, Shadi overcame his hesitation and acquired new equipment; this enables him to provide a unique service in the region by repairing phone screens, which will help him increase his income and provide better care for his parents.

From a young age Soubhi has been passionate about making sweets and pastries. He pursued culinary and hotel studies at university, but financial strains forced him to drop out and enter the workforce.

As the sole provider for his family, he took on various jobs to make ends meet, especially after his mother was diagnosed with osteoporosis, requiring costly medication and care. Despite these challenges, Soubhi remained determined to achieve independence and open his own sweet shop to improve his family's financial situation. 

Being employed at a sweet-making shop with an insufficient monthly income, eventually Soubhi planned his project and applied for micro-projects, which ultimately granted him the opportunity to pursue his dream, providing a new start and increased income for this passionate chef.

Malek's life purpose has always been to help people and aid the patients in their recovering journey. Born in al-Hasaka,where he spent his early years, surrounded by his loved ones and lovely days filled with warmth and laughter. Unfortunately, when the war broke out in 2011, Malek and his family had to leave immediately and settle in Aleppo, as there was no option to return. 

Despite facing numerous challenges in his new life in Aleppo, Malek managed to graduate as a pharmacist in 2016. After that he took on various jobs, all while working towards his ultimate goal of opening his own pharmacy.

Unfortunately, the cost was too high for him to afford. However, Malek's sister, who lives abroad, offered to provide financial assistance to help him start his pharmacy. As the days went by, prices continued to skyrocket, making Malek's dream seem further and more unattainable. He used all his savings to do minimal renovations, and install shelves but his finances were still not enough to stock the pharmacy with the necessary medications.

Then, on one fateful day, Malek saw a poster for micro-projects and immediately applied. He is incredibly grateful for the opportunity as it allowed him put his years of studying to good use, and help heal the people which is his purpose in life.

Naim is a hardworking individual who is deeply dedicated to serving his church. He lives with his wife Sonia. In their quest to provide for their daily needs and livelihood they face various challenges. As Naim grows older, concerns about losing his job as a private driver begin to weigh heavily on his mind. Naim genuinely loves his job, but before becoming a driver, he used to work as a car upholsterer. Unfortunately, a fire incident resulted in an injury to his hand which made him unable to return to his previous occupation. Despite this setback, Naim's optimism and gratitude shine through, as he is a person of strong faith.

In an effort to increase his income, Naim started working as a public bus driver. The working conditions proved to be difficult, and he faced numerous hardships along the way. He quit the job However, thanks to a friend who informed him about the project at the Hope Centers, Naim decided to apply for assistance. With the support he received, Naim now feels empowered, independent, and resilient. He was even able to acquire his own taxi, which opened up new opportunities for him.  

He is immensely grateful for the opportunity provided by Hope Center, as it has allowed him to build a better future for himself and his beloved wife. Naim's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, gratitude, and the unwavering human spirit.

Dr. Antoin experienced his share of war calamities, just like every other Syrian, After a decade of dedicated work as a dentist, in 2012 his clinic was looted, leaving him without a job for two years. To add to the hardship, his wife, a pharmacist, also lost her job at an insurance company. The challenges seemed never-ending for Antoin and his family.

In 2014, Antoin teamed up with a colleague to rent a dental clinic, working hard to purchase all the necessary equipment. However, when his colleague left the country, Antoin had to take matters into his own hands. In addition to that, his equipment had issues due to being outdated, which posed a major challenge with prices soaring. 

Antoin had to take action before his equipment became obsolete. He applied for a Micro Projects, and to his relief, he was accepted. Now, with the new dental clinic equipment, he can increase his income and provide for his two beautiful daughters.

Wael comes from the small village of Kfarbo, where life was easy and peaceful until the dark days descended upon Syria and Wael was called to serve in the military. He fought through a complete nightmare of injuries, sieges, and frontline battles for nine years. Thankfully, the year 2019 marked the end of Wael's suffering. Miraculously, Wael returned home safe and sound, only to find himself needing to rebuild his life from scratch as he moved from the village to the city of Aleppo, with no place to stay and no clear profession to pursue.

Fortunately, Wael found shelter in his aunt's house. Before joining the military, Wael had experience in iron smithing, which he had learned from his uncle. He honed his skills while working for someone else, but he always longed for independence. Wael struggled because prices made it nearly impossible for him to establish his own business

However, learning about the Hope Center and its aid for youth after military service brought Wael newfound hope. He planned his project and applied for assistance from micro projects. Now, Wael feels confident as he prepares to rent a workshop and start working independently to provide for himself and begin a new chapter in life.

The 28-year-old Tony, known for his strong work ethic, has always been doing hardcore job. In 2014, Tony was called for military service, which lasted eight years. 

Upon returning home, Tony found limited opportunities, all of which offered very low income, making the transition to normal life difficult. After eight years in the military, Tony found himself without a clear profession to pursue or a specific goal to follow. He took on various jobs, working in mechanic shops and supermarkets, but struggled to find a fulfilling career path forward. 

In his time of need, Hope Center extended a helping hand to Tony. Through micro-projects, they accepted Tony's application for a pickup truck, which will enable him to generate stable income and provide for his family.

Elias is a hardworking father and the sole breadwinner for his family of three. While serving in the military, Elias faced a long battle with hepatitis, which led to him being exempted from his service. He began the treatment, which cost a lot, forcing him to sell everything he had to cover the expenses. The price of a single medication was a staggering 350 USD. Fortunately, after completing the treatment, he made a full recovery and regained his health.

Elias took on various jobs to make ends meet, starting as a computer technician and programmer in 2021. However, due to the low income, he transitioned to working in solar panel installation, collaborating with partners as he didn't have the necessary equipment to start his own business. After renting his own workplace, Elias struggled to purchase the required equipment and had to borrow from others to complete installations for customers.

Realizing that he couldn't sustain this way of working with a family to provide for and rent to pay, Elias sought opportunities to increase his income. Upon hearing from a friend about micro projects, he applied and was accepted. Through a saving strategy, Elias plans to secure a 60% increase in income. He made plans to establish his workshop in a room within his house, saving money on workshop rent and further increasing his income. 

Now, with his equipment ready, Elias will be able to start anew with the ability to increase his income and provide for his family.

Reem and Michel, along with their three children, have always called the peaceful village of Qattinah home. In 2016, she embarked on a journey to uplift her family's life. She transformed a humble room in their house into a small stationery shop, determined to provide support for her husband, Michel, whose work as a blacksmith offered limited opportunities.

Although her store was modest, lacking advanced equipment like printers and laptops, it stocked essential stationery supplies. Her dedication and hard work shone through as she sought to secure good living for her children.

Recognizing the importance of her efforts, she took a courageous step. She applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance in obtaining the equipment her store needed and resupply its inventory. This support was not just about the shop; it was about safeguarding the lifeline of her family's livelihood and ensuring her children's dreams had a chance to flourish.

With the Micro Projects Program's help, Reem's small store blossomed, providing not only for her family but also offering great services to their entire village. 

Rober, a dedicated farmer, resided in the village of Ozeir. His land was a testament to his hard work, planted with wheat, barley, and an assortment of vegetables. However, a significant obstacle stood in his path; limited access to electricity, rendering his water pump useless.

He is a loving husband and father, residing with his wife, three children, and parents. While he ardently tended to his crops, his wife stood by his side, providing invaluable assistance in farming. Together, they dreamed of a bountiful harvest that would secure their family's future.

Driven by his passion and determination, he recognized the need for a solar power system to activate the dormant water pump, facilitating the irrigation of his land. Unfortunately, the financial burden of acquiring such a system seemed insurmountable, threatening to shatter their aspirations.

Faced with these challenges, he decided to seek support from the Micro Projects Program. Understanding the potential transformation that a solar power system could bring to his farm, he prepared his application, articulating his genuine need and unwavering commitment.

Months later, the anticipated moment arrived, and his project was selected. With the support he had received, he was finally able to purchase the solar power system that would harness the sun's energy, infusing life into his water pump.

The day the system was installed, hope radiated across Rober's face as he watched the water pump come to life, siphoning water from the well and revitalizing his land. The once-barren fields now thrived under the nourishing flow, promising a season of abundance and prosperity.

As the seasons pass, Rober's harvests will grow plentiful, enabling him to secure a better future for his children and ensure they receive a proper education.

With a passion for floral artistry dating back to 1998, Jawhar worked for various florists until 2012, when he realized his dream by opening his own shop in Al-Hamidia. However, the onset of war forced him to close his beloved shop. Undeterred, he reopened in Al-Arman later that year, only to face adversity again as half of his equipment became unusable.

Living as a single man with his mother, Jawhar faced the challenge of constantly needing to renew his decorating equipment. The soaring prices of artificial flowers, stands, and wooden decorations made it increasingly difficult to meet his customers' demands.

Fortune smiled upon him when a friend in the same field introduced him to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, Jawhar was able to acquire the latest decorating essentials. Now, he can provide his customers with fresh and unique designs, free from repetition. 

Labeeb's life took a tragic turn when war ravaged his neighborhood, Bab Al-Sebaa in Homs, leaving his family displaced and their home in ruins. A once working floor tiler, saw his livelihood crumble as his essential equipment was stolen, and he couldn't afford replacements. Undeterred, he borrowed tools to continue working, but the lack of electricity further complicated his situation.

For over two decades, his craft had been the cornerstone of his family's living, providing his wife and two beloved daughters with a dignified life. Despite the adversity they faced, he has always had hope for a fresh start.

That opportunity arrived when he applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the support, Labeeb aimed to regain the essential equipment and regain his independence. It was a chance to breathe life back into his beloved profession and secure a brighter future for his family in their rented apartment in Al-Adawia neighborhood. 

Bassam, a devoted husband and father in Fairouza village, has been working tirelessly as a floor tiler since 1995 to provide for his beloved family. His dedication to his craft is matched only by his love for his only child, who is now in the 4th grade.

Despite his hard work, he faced a daunting challenge recently; his essential equipment, particularly the electric generator, had become inadequate for his growing workload. Yet, with the weight of providing for his family's needs resting heavily on his shoulders, he found it impossible to secure the funds to upgrade his tools.

In his time of need, Bassam turned to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. He applied with hope in his heart, seeking support to acquire the new equipment, primarily the electric generator, that would not only enhance his productivity but also boost his income. 

With the help of this program, his dreams were soon realized. The new equipment transformed his work, allowing him to take on more projects and secure a better future for his family.

Jihad, a devoted family man with over 35 years of experience in his aluminum workshop, faced many challenges during the war in 2011. Alongside his wife and son, who aspired to become a doctor and was a third-year medicine student at the University of Homs, they were forced to leave their home in Bab Al-Sebaa neighborhood and find refuge in Al-Kafroun village.

For nearly a decade, Jihad worked as an assistant in a modest aluminum workshop to sustain his family while living in Al-Kafroun. However, the desire to provide a better future for his son pushed them to return home in 2020. Their house had been affected by the war, but with the support of their church, they managed to repair it and establish a stable life.

Upon returning to Homs, Jihad faced a different set of challenges. His machinery and equipment had deteriorated over the years, and unreliable electricity supply added to his struggles. Thankfully, a friend introduced him to the Micro Projects Program, motivating him to apply for assistance in revitalizing his workshop, his sole means of providing for his beloved family. This opportunity held the promise of a brighter future for Jihad, his wife, and their dedicated son pursuing his dream in medicine.

Anas, a determined young man, faced numerous challenges on his journey to success. Leaving school since the ninth grade, he entered the worklife to support his family consisting of his parents and sister. He tirelessly worked at various pastry shops, gathering valuable experience over the years.

In 2022, he realized his dream of opening his own pastry shop in Al-Adawia neighborhood. Despite the initial hurdles, he managed to purchase all the necessary equipment with the help of some relatives. Unfortunately, the cost of an electric generator remained out of reach, as he was struggling to repay the shop's debts.

Facing rising rental costs, Anas relocated his shop to Al-Hamidia neighborhood in 2023. However, the persistent electricity shortage continued to hinder the productivity. 

He applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance, and his prayers were answered. He received an electric generator. With the newfound power source, Anas and his family now work together more efficiently, ensuring the success of their small business.

Anas's hard work and the support he received have allowed him to provide for his family independently, hoping for a better days to come their way.

Mahasen, a young and creative graphic designer, has always been known for her unique style in crafting souvenirs. With four years of experience, she specializes in transforming her sketched characters into beautiful small figures. Mahasen, who works from her home, balances between her artistic passion with her role as an employed architect at a company. She lives with her parents and two sisters in Al-Sabeel neighborhood in Homs.

However, she faced significant challenges that hindered her work. Her laptop's decreasing capacity couldn't keep up with her demanding tasks, leading to delays in delivering her projects to clients. Moreover, the big issue of power shortages in Homs, made it even harder to meet deadlines. Her digital drawing panel, a vital tool for her craft, also became worn out. 

In an attempt to overcome these obstacles, Mahasen applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, she received a brand-new laptop, a reliable battery, and a new digital drawing panel. These essential tools not only rekindled her creativity but also allowed her to support her family during these challenging times.

After Lamiaa's divorce in Lebanon, she returned to her hometown in Al-Qusayr, Homs, to stay with her elderly father. In 2003, she established her own sewing workshop, creating a stable source of income for herself. However, when the war erupted in 2012, she and her father lost everything and were forced to seek refuge with her brother in Al-Mouzeina village.

She became her father's primary caregiver as he battled severe illness. She devoted herself to his well-being until his passing in 2021. Determined to make her own path, she relocated to Homs city, where she secured a job in a sewing workshop with a monthly salary. She also utilized her old sewing machine at home for clothing repairs, but when there were designing and sewing demands, she used to bring them to the workshop, as her home equipment was limited.

Living independently in Homs, Lamiaa had the experience and skills necessary to succeed in her profession, but she lacked the means to acquire the essential equipment. Her life took a positive turn when she applied to the Micro Projects Program, and her application was approved. She received the support she needed in the form of sewing machines and a battery to work during electricity blackouts, empowering her to further her sewing business and achieve self-sufficiency.

Hanada is married to Frederic and the young couple lives in Qattinah village. With Frederic's heart condition limiting his ability to engage in any effort-demanding work, they established a small stationary store. Hanada, a dedicated 4th-year translation student, balanced her studies with the store's daily operations.

Their path hadn't always been easy. At one point, they sold everything, hoping to start anew abroad. Erbil was their first destination, aiming for a better life in Australia. Sadly, they faced setbacks, losing most of their savings, so they returned to Qattinah and used their remaining funds to open their current store.

In addition to offering stationery and printing services, Hanada and Frederic showcased their creative talents by crafting picture frames and children's drawing books. They also assisted university students with their research and graduation projects.

Inflation hit their micro-project hard, reducing their inventory. Aiming to support their family's sole source of income, Hanada turned to the Micro Projects Program for assistance, hoping to restock their store's goods and continue their journey of hope. 

Ranim, a dedicated mother of two, resides in Fairouza village, where she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2020. She opened a cosmetics shop. Alongside her own business, she tirelessly works another job to increase the family's income. Her daily routine involves carrying a bag of makeup products to her workplace, where she sells to her colleagues.

Ranim's husband, Ram, battles diabetes, which led to the unfortunate amputation of his leg. Despite his condition, he works but his simple income as an employee barely covers his rising medical expenses. When Ranim initiated her shop, Ram's health was relatively stable. However, as his condition worsened, the mounting medical costs began to strain her small shop, combined by economic inflation.

She applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance, hoping to safeguard her business. This program's support would not only offer relief to her struggling business but also ensure a good living for her children.

Fadi's life took a drastic turn due to the war in Homs. Forced to flee Al-Hamidia, his family settled down in Fairouza village. Fadi, once an employee in a quality control department, lost his job in 2011 when the war disrupted everything.

For years, he moved from one job to another, just to make ends meet. His determination led him to learn the gypsum board craft in 2020, where he mastered the skill. His engineering institute degree and AutoCAD experience further fueled his ambition, but the lack of equipment held him back from independence.

In 2023, Fadi decided to change his destiny. He applied for the Micro Projects Program, hoping for a chance to get his equipment. With this support, he could finally take control of his life, work independently, and provide for his family. 

Raising children and taking care of them has always been Ruba’s passion and to fulfill this passion she studied at the faculty of education and then enrolled in several educational courses to help her specialize more in this field and started working as a teacher in Yabrud area in the countryside of Damascus. However, after the start of the war in Syria, the area of Yabrud became under threat, forcing Ruba and her family to move to the city of Damascus where she also took a job as a teacher and volunteered in her spare time to teach children with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, trying to provide the benefit to everyone who needed it.

Deep inside, Ruba was always dreaming of having her own children's care center so she could have a space of innovation, and the ability to improve her financial condition, so she managed to get some help from her father to start her project but the amount she got was only enough for the kindergarten rent and some assets which made her unable to receive many kids and provide them with proper services.

With the help of Hope Center, Ruba was supported with all the tools that will improve the situation of her kindergarten and provide the kids with comfort and a useful environment, in addition to supporting Ruba to have the project that she always dreamt of.

Ayham Almhanna is from Daraa governorate in south Syria, he used to live there with his parents and siblings and was raised to be a self-dependent and hardworking man who started supporting himself and his family from a young age.

Like many of his age, Ayham had to serve in the military service for more than nine years during the Syrian crisis where he had to encounter several dangers in Aleppo and Damascus in addition to experiencing great fear when his brother Nour was kidnapped by the armed groups in Daraa and the family had to pay a ransom of money for his release.

However, after Ayham was discharged in 2021, he found out that the security situation in Daraa was critical and it was impossible to work or have a normal life there so he decided to settle in Damascus hoping for better work opportunities, but with no career of experience Ayham couldn’t find any proper job so he rented a taxi and started working long hours daily seeking to afford his living and send the rest to his family in Daraa which wasn’t possible with the high rent he was paying to the taxi owner leaving Ayham with some money that was barely enough for his daily food. 

With the help of Hope Center, Ayham was supported to have his own taxi hoping to provide this young man with the chance to improve his living and support his family in the village.

Success isn’t always about greatness, most of the time, it is about strong will and hard work.

Like the case of Fares Al-Sbeih who is 29, single, and lives with his family at his uncle’s house in Damascus.

Fares was one of many who became adults during a critical time in Syria, a time of war, destruction, and fear but he didn’t accept to let despair sneak into his heart.

On the contrary, he started working at a young age to handle his own expenses and help with the house demands then when the security situation started getting worse, he decided to travel to Lebanon where he took two jobs a day trying his best to send money to his family.

In 2022, the economic situation in Lebanon deteriorated badly so Fares returned to Syria, paid the military fees, and started working as a taxi driver in partnership with his cousin which wasn’t enough to have a decent living as he had to pay for the car rent and share half the profits.

As the breadwinner of the family, Fares was looking for better opportunities to improve his condition so when he learned about the Micro Project program in Damascus, he didn’t hesitate to apply for the Mini-van project.

Today, after being supported to purchase the Mini-van, Fares started to transport students to their schools, take passengers to the airport, and put plans to expand his work in the future full of determination to succeed in his aims.

For most of his life, Simon had to count on himself to encounter the great responsibilities he was holding as his parents’ health was unwell and he was the breadwinner of the house and the supporter for his four sisters.

As a result, he traveled to Libya at a young age and worked as a goldsmith for about four years, then he had to return to Syria because his father had to undergo Heart surgery and he had to look after him.

Simon worked as a goldsmith until 2011 but after the war began, his profession deteriorated, so he turned to working as a taxi driver working as hard as he could to afford his family’s living.

“I can’t take a day off from work, because the day I don’t work, we don’t eat”

This is what Simon said when he visited the micro project center to apply for the taxi project because during the current economic situation in the country and after becoming a father to a newborn baby, he became unable to pay the high taxi rent and at the same time afford his parents’ expenses. 

Supporting this self-made man to have his own taxi was the best way to preserve his dignity and enable him to earn a better income to handle the increasing costs of life.

“It's really unfortunate when you have everything you dream about to wake up the next day and find it's all gone.

We were living in Alzabadani town in prosperity as we owned land planted with walnut trees, a villa with a swimming pool, a carpentry workshop, and a wood warehouse.

My husband was a carpenter and our financial situation was very good, but all of that disappeared overnight and we found ourselves fleeing under bombing and sniping, with only our clothes on, looking for a shelter to stay alive.”

That's how Lody Nakad 57, summed up her story with deep sorrow.

she lives with her husband and three children in a rented flat in Jaramana city.

This shift in their life was very hard for all of them but they had great faith in God so her husband started looking for alternative careers to afford the living expenses while Lody started working at a clothes company as a seamstress specialized in sewing kids’ clothes. She was trying her best to support her kids and continue their education, resulting in her son Shehadeh studying the specialty of orthopedics, her daughter Ranim studying neurosurgery, and her other son Fadi in the third year of informatics engineering.

together, they were trying to overcome their losses but the journey was hard and full of obstacles, especially under the current economic situation in the country.

Today, after supporting Lody with the sewing machines and tools to establish her own sewing workshop, she started to feel that she restored part of her missing life as she has her own independent income that will enable her to have a better living condition and secure her family's future.

"I feel like I am living as an extra number in this cruel world", it was with great sadness and despair that Hassan said these words.

He is a 31-year-old single man who lives with his mother and brother in an old house in Jaramana. Hassan worked any available job to afford the daily food for his family as his father had passed away leaving him to be responsible for his mother and younger brother.

During the first years of the war, Hassan was called for military service where he was injured by shrapnel in his left arm from a shell explosion which led at the beginning to a complete disability in the arm, but after many sessions of physical therapy, it recovered to 50% of mobility. 

However, as a result of the injury, Hassan was discharged from service, but when he tried to work, he found himself unable to perform many jobs due to his health condition which also affected his psychological situation as he felt helpless because he was unable to cover his family's daily expenses.  he was on the edge of despair, not knowing what to do with his life when the priest told him about the Micro Project program in Damascus and how it supports Christian families.

Hassan didn't hesitate and immediately applied for the pickup car, it was the only project suitable for his health condition, and that provided a quick and good income so that he could cover life’s expenses and improve his conditions.

"This help is what I needed to feel that I am not alone, that someone is standing by my side, and that no matter how difficult things are, the Lord always gives us hope to start again'

Caroline Akkawi is a self-made girl who chose to rely on herself rather than being dependent on others. She is 27 and lives with her parents and her brother Antoun at their grandfather’s house in the Al-Dwalaa neighborhood while her second brother, Basil, is still at the military service in Qatana area, Damascus countryside.

Since her childhood, the financial situation of her family was critical, but she never complained and always thanked God for the blessings in her life, especially since she had a talent for drawing, which prompted her, after she finished her university studies, to learn the profession of makeup and begin working in this field in order to secure her own expenses.

However, during the war, her older brother was called for military service, which affected the financial situation of her family, so she worked as a secretary in the morning, and in the afternoon she received customers at home, trying as much as possible to support her family and secure living expenses.

It was very tiring for Caroline to work two jobs a day and for long hours; she wanted to focus more on being a makeup artist which was her greatest passion, but the materials she used were modest and hindered her from expanding her work.

Through the Hope Center, this ambitious, strong-willed young woman was supported with a cosmetic and makeup kit with all the necessary tools so that she could expand her work and receive more customers in order to achieve her passion, and at the same time obtain a greater income that would improve the living conditions of her family.

Ibrahim could never have imagined the way his life turned out. From being a rock carver for four years, he transitioned into a soldier after he received the call to go into military service for five years.

Serving in the army had been a particularly challenging period of his life, but he had persevered through it.

During his service, he received the sad news that the war had hit their town of Maalola, his family had to move to Damascus till the situation stabilized. After finishing, he rented a small room in Damascus searching for job, he returned to his passion for rock carving; determined to support his family, he worked harder and longer hours to bring home food as he became the sole breadwinner to his parents after his brother joined the army.

The tools he was funded with by Micro-project in Damascus gave him the opportunity to transport his rock carvings across different towns and markets. He no longer had to worry about renting and losing income and can now focus entirely on carving and earning more money to cover his family's expenses.

Ibrahim feels proud of his achievements and is grateful for the opportunity to take care of his family. The tools were indeed a game-changer, paving the way for a brighter future for Ibrahim and his family.

War calamities were tough on everyone, especially those who are still suffering from its impact till now like the case of Mikhael Kousa who was exposed to a shell explosion during his service in Jobar, his entire body was penetrated by the shell’s shrapnel which put him in critical condition as he had to undergo several medical surgeries to survive, but he didn't recover completely which prevented him from living normally or working.

However, when Mikhael was discharged from the service, he tried to take any available job to afford the livelihood demands so he worked washing dishes at a restaurant and tried to work as a taxi driver but he wasn’t able to pay the high taxi rent and working as a dishwasher became tiring for him and the income was very low.

Mikhael became desperate because during the last few months, he and his family were living on support from his family and in-laws and he was in need of having his own source of income, especially after having a newborn baby.

With the help of Hope Center, Mikhael was supported to purchase his own taxi because it was the only project suitable for his health condition and that will form a great opportunity for him to be independent and have a sustainable source of income to improve his living.

Bassem Al-Mousa is 31 unmarried young man who used to live with his family in their small village. His father was blind and unable to work due to his condition, while his two siblings suffered from Joint Erosion and needed a lot of treatment, which forced Bassem at a young age to start working. At first, he worked at a prosthodontic laboratory then began working as a farmer cultivating the land and selling the crops trying to support his family and provide them with a decent life. However, the war quickly overpowered his efforts as he was called for military service, and for the next ten years, he knew nothing but dangers, as his service was in the most severe locations such as Aleppo, Barzeh, and Qaboun.

During those ten years, his family’s situation was greatly affected, as their village was in direct contact with the fights, so they were forced to flee to Damascus and live in a small house in the Al-Dwalaa area, relying on aid from churches and associations.

In 2021, Bassem was discharged from military service, and during that period, his father was diagnosed with skin cancer so Bassem didn’t hesitate to spend the entire amount of the service allowance on his father’s treatment. After that, he returned to working in agriculture and transporting crops from the village to the city, bearing all the possible risks in order to extricate his family from the miserable situation in which they lived.

Despite all the tragedies that Bassem experienced, he was full of faith and hope, and this led him to apply for the pickup car project at the Micro Project Center in Damascus as he was supported to obtain his own pickup car, through which he transported vegetables and goods between the city and the village, which saved him effort and provided him with a better source of income. Hopefully, this project will be an opportunity to improve Bassem's financial situation and help him secure the best means of life for his family.

For a thalassemia patient, Najeeb was full of energy and determination to live like any normal person.

He is 30 years old and lives in an old house in Al-Tabala neighborhood. After he graduated from the agricultural institute in 2013, he volunteered at the SSSD association as a part-time job, then in 2016, he volunteered with the Al-Safina Association for People with Special Needs at the paper recycling center, he also worked as a painting worker at the weekends trying his best to secure a good income.

Despite his health condition, which requires a lot of care and rest, Najeeb did not hesitate to take up a lot of work in order to be self-reliant and afford his living expenses in addition to his medication costs which he was taking daily to stay alive.

As time passed, working at painting workshops started to affect his health condition so he worked as a rented taxi driver which was suitable for his health condition but the income wasn’t enough because he had to pay high percentage to the car owner.

Najeeb was full of optimism when he applied for the taxi project at the Micro-project Center in Damascus.

With the help of Hope Center, Najeeb was supported to purchase his own taxi which was the best project that suited his condition and at the same time provided him with a decent income to preserve his living.

George Bershan was one of the people who lost a lot during the war in Syria; not only his home and his job, but he also lost members of his family, which left him broken-hearted and sad.

George is 31, he used to live in a small village in the countryside of Aleppo and worked as an assistant bus driver on the international road. After the start of the war, their village was besieged by armed groups who started to spread killing and violence all over the area, so George and his family had no choice but to flee, leaving everything behind to preserve their lives. They moved to live in a rented house in the Kashkoul area in Damascus but the area was hit by daily shells and unfortunately, George’s sister was injured by one of them and passed away as a result. 

This incident has plunged the family into great sadness, especially George’s father, who was subsequently afflicted with cancer and died two years later.

George was burdened with sorrows and worries. He had become responsible for his mother and sister and had to protect them, especially during the severe security events in the region. So he decided to move to another place in search of safety. During that period, George worked as a sales representative for several companies. He also worked for a period as a private driver and as a minibus driver, trying his best to afford his family's expenses.

After George visited the micro-project center in Damascus and applied for the Mini-van, he was supported to purchase his own mini-van, because it would enable him to become self-reliant and have the ability to improve his income and provide his family with a decent living.