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.


679

Aleppo

650

Homs

266

Damascus

Lathe Machine


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Dental Clinic


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...


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Sandwich Shop


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...


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Mobile Maintenance


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...


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Sweets and Pastry


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...


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Pharmacy


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Dental Clinic


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...


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Ironsmith Workshop


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...


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Pickup Truck


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...


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Solar Power Installation Workshop


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...


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Mini Pickup Truck


Hadi, a devoted husband to Minas and a loving father to their baby boy Toni, faced financial challenges living with his family; his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces. His journey began when he completed his 10-year mandatory service and ventured into the world of floor tiling alongside his brother, despite having no prior experience.

Dreaming of a brighter future, he aspired to create opportunities for his family. However, his limited financial resources were a constant hurdle. Then, a friend introduced...


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Sewing Workshop


Lina's life turned upside down when her husband Fadi was kidnapped and never found again, leaving her as the sole provider for their two daughters. She didn’t give up and continued her career as a school teacher since 2003. However, it became evident that to secure a dignified life for her daughters, she needed an additional source of income.

In 2013, she decided to become a seamstress, repairing clothes from her humble home. She used an old, manual sewing machine, as...


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Ceiling Décor


For over two decades, Ghayath had dedicated his life to the gypsum board craftsmanship. A devoted husband and father of three ambitious daughters pursuing higher education, his dreams for his family were boundless. Yet, his journey had its share of hardships.

In the wake of a devastating war, Ghayath found himself lacking essential resources vital for his work. The tools and equipment he needed were distant dreams, and the absence of a reliable power source, like an electric generator, cast a...


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Electronic Devices Maintenance


Kamil, a retired university teacher with a wealth of knowledge in electronics maintenance, faced a challenging journey with his family during the war. They were displaced from their home in Homs city to their village, Autan, where they resided for nine long years. In 2020, they finally returned home, repaired their house, and began rebuilding their lives in Homs.

In 2022, Kamil decided to reopen his maintenance workshop to provide an extra income for his family. Unfortunately, he had to shut...


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Floor Grinding and Polishing


Soubhi's journey in the floor grinding and polishing industry began in 1972, creating a wealth of experience for him over the years. He and his wife, Salam, a retired teacher, raised three sons despite facing numerous challenges. Their life took a tragic turn in 2013 when they were displaced from their home village, Al-Dwair, due to the ongoing war, which caused him to lose three floor grinding and polishing machines, along with all their belongings when their house was stolen.

Initially...


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Stationery Store


Siham, a resilient woman from the village of Qattinah, is a devoted wife and loving mother. Her two children, a daughter and a son, both battle with the challenges of paralysis in their lower extremities. In 2020, with their hard-earned savings, Siham and her retired husband embarked on a modest journey by opening a stationery store.

Their beginning was simple, but it promised them a life of dignity. The entire family collaborated to ensure the success of their project, with her...


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Formwork-Carpentry Equipment


For over four decades, Issam has dedicated his life to the profession of Formwork Carpentry. Once, he possessed the essential tools of his trade, including wood planks and a trusty winch. However, the ravages of war stole most of his equipment.

He persevered with the help of fellow craftsmen and friends, sharing their equipment and precious remaining planks. But as time passed, those planks wore thin. High prices, lack in job opportunities, and a poor supply of wood left him in...


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Photography


With 8 years of experience, Hani was an active member of the photographers' union, but his old camera and limited equipment posed challenges during the economic crisis. His struggle to meet the growing demands of clients left him feeling inadequate.

As a single man supporting his mother, his family depended on him after his father's passing, and his siblings had started their own lives. In pursuit of his passion, Hani traveled to Lebanon in 2015, where he worked at a restaurant...


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Carpentry Workshop


Naram and his wife Souraya, in addition to his elderly mother, live in Fairouza village, after they have faced significant challenges since being displaced from Homs city due to the war. He is a dedicated carpenter with his own workshop, but he had been struggling with the lack of electricity in their area. Frequent blackouts hindered his work, affecting his income and livelihood.

Recognizing the need for a solution, he applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. Thanks to the...


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Stationery Store


Habsa and her family have faced many challenges in their journey from Al-Jabriyah village to Homs city. When they were displaced during the war in 2011, they had to leave behind their home in Al-Sabeel neighborhood in Homs.

In 2013, Habsa opened a small stationary store in Al-Jabriyah village, renting a place to make ends meet. The store became a lifeline for her family, as both of her sons worked at a restaurant while studying. However, in 2018, the shop owner...


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Mini-Market


Maria, an English translation graduate, dedicated eight years of her life to teaching English at an institute. However, in 2021, an unfortunate foot injury and some shoulder problems forced her to step away from her beloved profession. She shared her home with her father and younger sister, but the family had already endured the loss of her mother to cancer.

Her father managed a small mini-market, but when his health took a turn for the worse, she stepped up to keep...


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Wheat and Vegetables Land


Bassel, a hardworking farmer from Qattinah village, shoulders the responsibility of providing for his family of five. His brother, bravely battling cancer, is the sole provider for his family of three. Together, they persevere through challenging times.

At home, Bassel resides with his wife, Juliette, who earns a modest income, and their three children. To make ends meet, he works as a driver, ensuring an extra source of income.

Their land, planted with vegetables and wheat, is a vital lifeline. A well...


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Kindergarten


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Mini-Van


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Sewing Workshop


“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,...


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Pick-up Car


"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,...


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Makeup Kit


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...


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Rock Carving


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...


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Taxi


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,...


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Pickup Car


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...


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Taxi


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...


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Mini-Van


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...


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