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. 

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.