Zawin is a hardworking person who strive for his family; his wife and two sons.

Zawin has been working in the production and upholstery of cars since 2005 and has added through his experience in the production of Arab Majlis seating. Zawin had to make a lot of sacrifices in his work, 5 years ago the place where he works was exposed to a fire that resulted in the loss of all existing equipment and goods. 

Living a decent life and supporting his family has become a constant struggle for Zawin, which forced him to borrow a machine from one of his friends in order for the family to survive, and he also works in a factory for the production and upholstery of car furnishing, his permanent goal in life is to obtain complete and permanent independence.

Zawin felt very grateful and joyful for the support, today he is motivated to achieve his goal in life and help his family to secure a dignified living. 

“Where words fail, music speaks.” That’s how George replied when we asked him about the reason behind his love for music. 

Since he was an 8-year-old, George was fascinated by music and the industry in general.

His parents decided to enroll him in a music institute where he chose to learn Cello, his love for music didn’t stop there, he used to go to his uncle’s studio to watch him produce music for many artists. After a short time, he started helping his uncle with his work for 15 years till the war started.

In 2011 George joined the army and served his country for 10 years, in this decade a lot changed; during this time, he lost many of his friends in the army and his family was in danger back home, it was very tough for him to go through all that by himself.

After finishing his service George found himself back at the starting point, not knowing what to do and where to head. Despite everything, he refused to give up and decided to follow his passion for music and try to turn it into a career.

With a big dream and lots of plans, he applied for the Micro-Projects program to get the support he needed to start. Now George has a small studio in which he records and produces music for many local artists.

George is married and has worked in the carpentry profession since childhood with more than 40 years of experience, he had a full workshop with a kit, but because of the war he lost the workshop with the entire equipment, unfortunately, he cannot return to his former work area because its still under control of armed groups.

During war his home was exposed to a shell explosion, which led to great damage to the house, as a result, the family was displaced for more than 10 years. 

Because of his great experience in His profession and his desire to develop his business, George applied to the Micro Projects in order to buy a machine that helps him save time and increase his income, George launched his project and added new models to his work that helped him bring new customers, which led to an increase in his monthly profits.

The Micro Projects Program was able to achieve one of George's goals, to help him strive to work harder and develop faster. 

Hilda is a lovely married woman who works in the church and her husband works as a driver for the church as well, because of the difficult life that Syrian families are going through, Hilda's family went through harsh conditions, which led to financial burdens, the earthquak made things worse because their house was greatly damaged.

when we are exposed to immense loss, we try to look for any small light in order to start a new chapter in life even if it is delayed; Hilda started working in knitting and she was sending the pieces that need a stitch and a knit to a sewing shop, as she does not have the necessary machines, which was for her a waste of time and great difficulty in receiving a larger number of customers, so Hilda decided to apply to the center to develop her small project in home sewing, in order to save time and increase her family's income.

Micro Projects Program was able to help Hilda to be able to take a step forward in her field of work and to overcome the difficulties she faces in her daily life. 

Elias is an example of the patient and strong father who faces life’s challenges for his family, Elias is married and has two sons, one of whom is serving in military, life challenged Elias differently at each stage, in the period of war he was displaced from his home, and his son was exposed to a war injury during his mandatory service time. 

Corona came to be one of the most difficult periods he went through; it kept him away from his work and family, but as Elias said:  "Our Mother Mary did not abandon me and helped me overcome this ordeal." Elias now works as a guard in a private school in Aleppo with a low salary, he wants to improve his income, so he decided to apply for a taxi, which he sees as a strong source in order to meet the requirements of life and his family's expenses.

At the end of the meeting Elias said that his dream is to be able to buy a taxi so he can be more financially independent, and he achieved this dream to be his first strong step in the face of life hardships.

The years of war were not easy for Fadi's family, however, it didn't stop them from pursuing their dreams of living in peace and stability. Fadi’s family suffered a lot during the war, especially in the first years as Fadi is a resident of the village of Al-Jadeeda in the Idlib countryside, which is one of the Christian villages in the city of Idlib. He was displaced with his family from the village after they were besieged by armed groups.

At the beginning of the war in 2011, Fadi volunteered to defend his land against the armed groups, then He was discharged from the army in 2021 after serving for ten years.

Before the war, Fadi worked in the aluminum craft in his village. He had a shop since 2004, but he lost it afyer leaving the village towards Kasab. In his last years of service, he worked in this profession during his spare hours intending to return to it after service..

After his discharge, he moved to Aleppo to settle there and began working in the aluminum field, but his income was not enough to secure the family’s needs, and he strived hard to start his project to secure a sufficient source of income for his family.

The Micro Projects Program was able to fulfill this family's dream of stability, and Fadi now has his own shop, which will enable him to provide a decent life for his family.

Elias is a strong man who defied the difficulties of life for the sake of his family’s happiness despite all the harsh circumstances he went through. 

Elias is married and has three children, he suffered a lot during the war; he had a taxi in 2014, but unfortunately it was destroyed by a shell in 2016, despite the difficulty of the situation he was able to overcome this incident for the sake of his children and started working as a driver for a local institution with a modest salary.

Elias held-on to hope, his many losses during the war did not disappoint him, and despite the suffering of life, he was not satisfied with his little income, he kept searching for an opportunity to improve his situation and a ray of hope that would change his life; for him it was a taxi that he would work on after his shift to help him secure a better income, Elias applied for micro projects and upon approval his joy was indescribable. Today Elias looks forward to starting a new life chapter full of hope and blessings.

Naeem is an example of strong personality who will face crises with positive adaptation without suppression or confusion, married and has two sons, he works in the field of sanitary installations, solar energy installation and electricity extension.

Naeem tried to develop himself in his domain of work despite all the difficulties and challenges he faced, he is a creative person who added with his experience of more than 15 years working in the field of central heating, he rented a shop in order to start a stable life and a small family. 

Despite many difficulties and the war that hit Aleppo, Naeem did not leave the city and remained working hard to secure a good future for his children, his house was damaged by the earthquake and he did not despair and was able to restore it.

Naeem applied for the necessary equipment which will help him increase his income and secure the needs of his family. He believes that everything will turn out for the best, and that tomorrow is more beautiful, Hopefully this project will be the beginning of beautiful days for him and his family.

Samar is a mother of three children and a clinical nutritionist, she obtained her degree in food technical engineering from the city of Aleppo, and works in the field of food engineering in several clinics affiliated with the churches. 

Samar is a persistent woman; despite all the difficulties and challenges, she completed her studies during war, and did not give up her childhood dream. She had a strong desire to open her own center, specializing in following up the conditions of pregnant women and also cases of growth in children, diabetes, in addition to Botox injections in the stomach to treat obesity. 

The war was harsh on Samar and her family, in 2013 her husband was kidnapped and they had tp pay a ransom of  5000$, her husband's factory was robbed in 2014, the family was also displaced to Latakia because their area of residence was unsafe, Samar did not despair despite all the hardships, she was able to work in the National Hospital in Latakia for 3 years and then returned to Aleppo in 2019 

Samar applied to the center to get support for her project with the needed devices. The new phase in Samar's life has now begun with ambition and determination to continue her passion in life

Dr. Ghassan have been working in the clinic for more than 30 years, he has extensive experience in the field of dentistry, his work was greatly affected during the war because his place was exposed to a lot of shells, and when the area became safe, he decided to develop his clinic's devices because the equipment was worn-out that it became dilapidated.

The earthquake destroyed all Ghassan’s dreams for the enhancement of his clinic and his house from which he and his family were able to get out safe and sound, and because life must go on, Ghassan decided to submit an application in order to develop his project with support from the Micro Projects.

Ghassan held-on to hope despite all the difficulties of life that he faced in the past, the strength that he possesses despite all the challenges and crises that he went through, his patience and will can overcome every painful hardship.

Dr. Ghassan launched his project with the new devices that helped him develop the clinic and achieve part of his dreams that he patiently longed for. 

Since childhood, Masses has been ambitious snd creative, he works in the field of women's hairdressing, his profession depends on good taste in order to satisfy customers, he has practiced this profession since childhood with at least 30 years of experience, Masses wants to develop his long-standing project, however, the equipment that he has is old and worn out due to daily use but he cannot afford a new set. 

“in our days the generator fees is consuming our inccome but we cannot work without it”.

Masses decided to work on an alternative plan in order to reduce this attrition and bring a generator that helps him increase his income from the project, and he also applied for the support of the necessary equipment.

Masses overcame all the difficulties he faced in his field of work economically and even in terms of the crisis he went through after his house was damaged by the earthquake, which was severe damage that prevented him from returning to his home, which is considered unsafe for hsbitstion to this day, All these difficulties increased his determination to move forward with a smile of hope facing all life challenges.

Shant is a passionate person, aspiring to be proficient in his work, self-reliant, in order to secure a decent life for his family; Shant is married and a father of two, he works day and night for the wellness of his family.

Shant works in the profession of car spraying, and has extensive experience in this field, he currently works in a workshop but the equipment is not his, and the wage he receives is not commensurate with his experience and insufficient for the requirements of life.

During war people are exposed to many material and physical losses, this period was difficult for Shant, he lost his shop and equipment. His mother, father and sister were injured in the war, Shant wants to be independent in his work, so the idea of applying for his own project through the Micro Projects Support was a ray of hope, Shant started his project and is now working with passion and enthusiasm in order to achieve his life goals and take good care of his loving family.

Nano has been working in floor grinding and polishing since 1995, he faced numerous challenges over the years. With a family to support, including his wife and two children, his primary goal was to secure a stable income.

In 2013, the unthinkable happened, his family was displaced from their home in Al-Dwair village due to the war and forced to relocate to Fairouza village. Amidst the chaos, he managed to carry his equipment with him, a valuable asset he had preserved over the years.

However, one significant barrier stood in his way: the unreliable electricity situation in Fairouza village. It hindered Nano's ability to work efficiently, affecting his productivity and consequently his income.

Thankfully, his fortunes changed when a relative informed him about the Micro Projects Program. This program offered him the opportunity to acquire an electric generator, a lifeline for his struggling business. With this generator, Nano could finally overcome the electricity problem, ensuring a stable income and a better life for his wife and son.

Reem and Gaby, a couple from Qattinah village, faced a challenging journey to parenthood. After enduring 8 IVF trials, Reem was unexpectedly diagnosed with uterine cancer. They returned to their home village, in Syria for her treatment. Despite the financial strain and difficult living conditions, she fought through chemotherapy and radiation, reaching the final stages of her treatment with improving health.

Gaby, working as a DJ, found it tough to make ends meet in Syria. As Reem began her recovery, she tapped into her sewing skills to support their income but renting a workshop with machines took a significant share of her profits. 

Determined to improve their situation, she applied to the Micro Projects Program. With their support, she now owns her sewing machines, allowing her to run her workshop more efficiently. Reem's resilience and hard work not only helped her bravely overcome health challenges but also provided financial stability for her and Gaby. 

Rami, a dedicated father and the sole provider for his wife and four children, has been working as a floor tiler since the turn of the millennium. Over the years, his trusty equipment had worn out, and he faced the challenge of frequent electricity shortages, which hampered his productivity in this electricity-dependent profession.

The cost of replacing his equipment and investing in a generator was unaffordable for him, given his responsibility for a large family. Amid the harsh economic conditions of his country, saving up for these necessities seemed like an impossible dream.

However, a ray of hope emerged when Rami's friends introduced him to the Micro Projects Program. He saw this opportunity as a lifeline to renew his equipment and secure his family's livelihood. With hope, he applied to the program, believing that it could be the key to ensuring a dignified life for his beloved wife and children. 

Nidal, a skillful craftsman with over two decades of experience in floor tiling and stone cladding, had always been the backbone of his family in Homs. His wife, daughter, son, and his son's young family relied on his skills for their livelihood.

However, as time went by, his tools and equipment began to show their age. Renewing them became increasingly challenging, with maintenance costs increasing. His work often suffered from the frequent blackouts in the region, causing delays and frustrations. To keep his work afloat, he had to rent an electric generator, which put a significant strain on his finances.

His son had a humble job with a modest income, but the burden of supporting the entire family weighed heavily on Nidal's shoulders. That's when he decided to seek help from the Micro Projects Program. With the assistance, he was able to renew his equipment, breathe new life into his business, and purchase a reliable electric generator.

The improved equipment not only enhanced his productivity but also brought stability to his family's life, Nidal can continue to provide for his loved ones, ensuring a comfortable life for his wife, daughter, son's family, especially, his precious one-year-old granddaughter.

From a young age, Manhal worked alongside his older brother, in floor grinding and polishing during summer season. In 2005, he ventured to Lebanon, where he stayed for five years. But in 2005, he returned to his hometown, Al-Dwair, and embraced a new chapter of his life.

He married Rihab, and together they established a family with two daughters and a son. However, their path took an unexpected turn in 2012 when they were displaced from their home village and had to settle in the Al-Arman neighborhood, where they rented a house.

He was equipped with the skills for his trade, but a crucial piece of his toolkit got stolen three years ago, the electric generator. Despite the challenging situation of unreliable electricity, he continued to work, but his income deteriorated. As the sole provider for his family, Manhal knew that his profession was their lifeline.

To improve his circumstances, he applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. With the support, he acquired a new electric generator, which has allowed him to work without interruptions. Manhal now works with renewed hope for a brighter future for his three children, ensuring their basic needs are met and providing them with the stability they deserve. 

Yolla, a mother of three in Qattinah village, is married to Rasem, a retired employee. The couple and their two unemployed sons, George and Jack, depended on her dairy shop for living. Tragically, the family had already endured the loss of their eldest son, Johnny.

In 2016, she initiated the dairy shop using rented refrigerators, a venture born out of necessity. Over time, these refrigerators became worn-out, maintenance costs soared, and replacement seemed financially impossible. The situation became challenging as she not only prepared and sold dairy products but also handmade food to make ends meet.

Yolla turned to the Micro Projects Program for support, hoping to save her family's only means of survival. With the assistance provided, she successfully revived her project, ensuring a stable future for her family. 

Dalia, a resident of Qattinah village, became the backbone of her family when her husband's health issues forced him out of work. With a modest salary, she bravely took on the responsibility of providing for their family of four. In 2019, she took a bold step by opening a shoe store, hoping to secure a stable living.

However, economic challenges and tough circumstances hindered her ability to restock the store with goods. Her husband made a difficult decision to travel to Lebanon in search of better opportunities for their family. 

Determined not to give up, she sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program, with the support received, she revitalized her shoe store, ensuring a continuous source of income for her husband, two young children, and herself.

Now, Dalia manages the shoe store, empowered by the Micro Projects Program to secure a better life for her loved ones.

In 2017, Nada's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Disc disease, leaving her unable to continue her work in sewing and clothes repairing. Her husband, Fadi, a retired employee, faced his own health challenges as a tumor paralyzed his facial muscles, requiring continuous physical therapy. 

With their wheat land providing insufficient income, their son Waad took on a job at a sugar factory to support his ailing parents. In a desperate bid to regain financial stability, Nada decided to revive her cotton clothes shop, which was a part of her sewing workshop and stopped due to the war, but the lack of funds posed a significant barrier.

Hope arrived in March 2023 when Nada discovered the Micro Projects Program. She applied and successfully secured support to transform a part of her house into a small shop selling cotton clothes. This initiative not only allowed her to start her small business but also provided a lifeline for her family. The newfound source of income from the shop, coupled with Waad's contribution, significantly improved their situation, offering a ray of hope amid the challenges they faced.

Aghiad's journey from hardship to success is one of hard work and determination. After his parents' passing, he chose to stay with his sister, while their siblings sought opportunities abroad. A twist of fate struck with a knee injury from a car accident, creating a need for surgery that he couldn't afford. Undeterred, he took on a job as an accountant, in a restaurant and then as a teacher in an NGO, struggling to make ends meet.

His path to success wasn't paved with ease and he thought of having his own project. However, before embarking on his journey, he decided to gain the necessary experience by working at a well-known pizza shop for a year then turned to the Micro Projects Program, a lifeline that transformed his life.

Aghiad envisioned a Pizzeria in the city of Homs, introducing a unique concept of selling large pizza slices. With strategic planning and program support, he secured a good location, equipped with a solar power system and essential tools. Today, Aghiad realizes his dream, passionately selling delicious pizzas, not only securing his future but also creating a story of achievements against hardships.

Hala, a wife and mother of four daughters in Qattinah village, faced the challenge of supporting her family as her husband battled health issues requiring joint replacement surgery. 

With determination, she utilized her skills, working tirelessly at her hair salon for over 5 years. Recognizing the potential to expand her small business, Hala's daughters joined her in the salon, and she pursued additional training in nail care and makeup.

Eager to transform her project into a thriving beauty salon, Hala applied to the Micro Projects Program and received a nail care kit and makeup essentials, turning her dream into reality. Now, as the sole provider for her family, her salon flourishes, offering a broader range of beauty services. 

This support not only enhanced her business but also empowered Hala to secure a brighter future for her daughters.

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.

Sarkis Sadeq used to live with his family in Maaloula town, Damascus countryside, and was working with his brothers in their sweets shop which was the source of income for the entire family..

After the start of the war, as Maaloula town was one of the most affected places in Syria, and most of its residents were exposed to killing, kidnapping, and the destroying and looting of their houses, which forced Sarkis and his family to be displaced out of the country in 2012, as they took shelter in his in-laws’ house in Zahle, Lebanon.  Sarkis worked there in rock carving and installing until the economic and security conditions began to deteriorate in Lebanon, so Sarkis decided to return with his family to Syria and settle in Jaramana in Damascus countryside.

Sarkis lived with his family and mother-in-law, who was suffering with her health and taking medications constantly. During that period, his brothers decided to start their project again in the Kashkul area and they tried to work together like before, but unfortunately, the work was very little and the income was not enough to support them all, so Sarkis left work with his brothers and began to work as a bus driver.

He was working more than sixteen hours a day to afford his family’s living but things were getting harder and he was seeking to have his own project to improve his conditions.

“If it wasn’t for you, my situation would never have changed” These were Sarkis words upon being approved to be supported with the taxi project.

Hopefully, this taxi will help provide the family with a proper income to afford the livelihood demands and preserve their dignity. 

Hanna Hallaq is an active and hardworking 28-year-old young man who used to live with his family in Yabroud town, Damascus countryside.

Hanna graduated from the Mechanics and Electricity Institute and began working directly in the field of maintenance. after a while, he was employed by a telecommunications company as a specialist in the maintenance of coverage towers, but the low salary prevented him from continuing because Hanna was responsible for the house expenses and for his parents and sisters, so he decided to move to Damascus and start working in several workshops trying as much as possible to secure a better income to meet his family’s needs and to save some money in order to start his own project and improve his condition.

Unfortunately, this wish was unattainable under the the difficult economic conditions that the country was going through, but Hanna did not let despair creep into his heart. When he learned about the Micro Project Center, he applied for support, full of faith, and hope.

indeed, his request was approved and he was supported to purchase the maintenance machines and tools so that he could start his own maintenance center for washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners, which will enable him to obtain a better income to improve his living conditions and secure a promising future for him and his family.