Micro-Projects is a livelihood-support program which helps family providers who had either lost their livelihood during the war, or aspire to be a productive and financially independent part of the community by starting their own income generating business. By financing their micro-projects, Christian Hope Center is helping Christian families to have a sustainable source of income, through the provision of equipment, machinery and tools. This will eventually mitigate the economic harm caused by increasing poverty and insecurity, preserve their dignity, and alleviate the calamities of war and the economic crisis, which will ultimately preserve the existence of an active Christian community in Syria. In addition to the Micro-Projects supported in Cities of Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, the program also supports families who rely on agriculture as their principal source of income in rural Homs.


702

Aleppo

704

Homs

324

Damascus

Dental Lab


Art can take many forms, you can find it in paintings, sculptures, movies and even in songs, whereas Sarkis found art in dental prostheses making.

Sarkis Bertizian is a dental prosthesis fabricator who lives in the city of Aleppo. His love for art and dentistry was united in his profession. During the war years, Sarkis’s father died after battling with cancer. The loss of his father was very hard on him, he found himself responsible of his family and although he...


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Nursing Kit


Rizk-Allah Rawik is an ambitious 24-year-old, since he was a little boy, he always dreamt of treating the ill and helping those in need. Thus, when he grew up, he decided to become a nurse, he studied for two years in a healthcare institution, and currently, he works night shifts in a hospital, but still; working for 3 days a week isn’t enough to make him a decent income. 

After the economy of the country collapsed, providing a decent life for...


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Barbershop Equipment


Antranig is a kind and talented barber who has a small salon in the city of Aleppo, he started his career in 2003, and his good reputation in the neighborhood played a huge role in the launch of his career. The war didn’t stop Antranig from doing his job but at the same time working in a dangerous city had many tragic consequences, someone like Antranig could leave his house in the morning without knowing if he would ever be...


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Winding Engines and Motors


George Armenag is a 48-year-old man living with his sister in their parents' house. He used to work in his own shop in Aleppo fixing engines and selling electrical supplies.

When the war started George’s shop was destroyed and robbed, therefore he had to sell his shop at a very low value. With this small amount of money, George and his sister managed to maintain a decent living and keep the household running.

With no income, George knew he had to do...


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Potato Cutting Machine


Enad Dahdal is a 36 years, from Aleppo, he finished his military service in 2018 after serving for 8 years. During this time Enad was located in a dangerous area very close to fire lines, one night while he was up protecting the civilians an attack occurred where Enad got injured in his knee. He underwent 3 operations to recover the injury, and luckily with many physiotherapy sessions, he was able to walk again.

Going through such hard times, Enad faced...


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Homemade Sweets


Nihad Ghazal is a 65-year-old with a passion for baking and making pastry since her childhood; she used to make all different types of pastries and give them to her friends at school to try.

As she grew older her love for pastry grew bigger, she used to help her mother with cooking and doing kitchen chores, that’s how she learned her mother’s baking recipes, her secrets and tricks for a perfect bake.

The Ghazal sisters suffered from the war, but unlike...


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Beauty Center


Alina is a young woman who lives with her parents; her father works as a car mechanic in a rental shop. Alina’s family traveled to Armenia from 2015 to 2017. Her brother stayed there. After her return, she completed her studies and obtained a baccalaureate degree. In 2021, she took courses related to the field of cosmetics. it all started as a hobby then she started working in a beauty center where she practiced and gained experience.

Aina wants to be the boss of her own project, but she was hesitant to open a salon because of her financial situation and the coordination between her job at the beauty center and her own business.

Thanks to Hope Center Alina became hopeful again, it helped her gain independence for owning a business and now she is ready to thrive.

Recording Studio Equipment


During the war in Syria, Antoine and his family faced many life-threatening moments;“One day, me and my family was coming back home, after parking our car, we heard a loud explosion so we immediately ran to safety, after checking that everyone was okay, we were shocked that a shell had hit our car and it was entirely destroyed.” Surviving such a traumatizing event left the family in a terrible state, they also had to evacuate their house and move to...


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Dental Clinic


Carla Ishak is an ambitious dentist who recently graduated from Aleppo university, being a dentist was her long-lasting dream. When she was a little girl, she used to go to her father’s clinic to watch him at his job while pretending to be his assistant.

Going through the war in Syria was harsh for Carla and her family, as they had to evacuate their home due to several bombings. The prolonged fights and the damage it caused forced the family to...


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Charcoal Workshop


After a devastating ten years of war and an awful earthquake, Fares Jesri found himself and his pregnant wife lost in a chaotic situation full of challenges. 

Fares used to earn his living working as a waiter in a café in Aleppo when out of nowhere the devastating earthquake that caused massive destruction and disrupted the livelihoods of many has cost Fares his source of income.

His strong will to provide for his family that was about to grow with the baby...


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Tailoring Workshop


In 1989, out of many professions “young Bedros” decided to follow his passion for making suits and designing men's clothing.

Life was peaceful and prosperous for Bedros and his family, his business was growing and he was making a good name for himself, especially when he moved from Idleb to Aleppo to work with larger tailoring workshops that were located in the city. 

When the war started Bedros lost everything in his hometown; his house, his small shop and all that he...


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Sweets and Pastries


In the early days of the war, Dolly's family was among the first to leave Aleppo. Faced with loss, fear, and danger, they made the bold decision to move to Beirut. Living there for six years was not easy for a family of four. Both Dolly and her husband worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Dolly had the opportunity to work in a bakery in Beirut, where she gained valuable experience. However, when the crisis started, the family had...


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Hair Salon


Nadine's started in the field of hair styling in 2011, when she used to work in a hair salon owned by a known hairdresser called Hassan, who became later her husband. He taught Nadine all she needs to know in order to practice this profession and in 2013, they got married and shared together the work in the salon, and after one year, the couple had their first child Christian. 

Over time, Hassan began to suffer from health problems due to...


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Plumbing Equipment


During the hard journey of life, George had only one thing in mind that kept him strong, it was the love of the family who count on him. He works as a plumber since 1973, and throughout the years, he faced many challenges that he patiently overcame. 

Back to 2010, George decided to expand his business by opening a plumbing requirement shop beside his main profession but unfortunately, the war began and he lost everything; two houses of the family's property,...


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Plumbing


Elias has been working as a plumber since 1997, he is a married man and a father of three beautiful girls; Celine (9 years old), Patricia (12 years old), and Marita, the youngest, (2 years old). He lives with his wife Victoria, who's a school teacher, and their daughters in addition to his mother-in-law, Hayat (56 years old) who fled from the terrors of war in her home city, "Deir Al-Zor" and moved to stay with them. 

The skilled plumber has...


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DJ Equipment


The cruel war in Syria has left behind many negative effects that people are still suffering from today. While the hardest thing they had to cope with is the severe economic crisis, family providers started to search for more than a source of livelihood to afford the growing living burdens.

Abdul-Massih lives with his family of six; his wife and their two-year-old son, in addition to his elderly parents in Fairouza village. He got married to his wife Suzan back in...


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Ice Making Machine


"With the increasing costs of living, the head of the family must search for an independent micro project to improve his income and make it sufficient to ensure covering all their needs." Nader described his situation, as the sole breadwinner for his wife and their two children, they live together in a rented apartment, and he works in goods distribution.

When his income became barely enough compared to his financial obligations, he thought about another solution to enhance his circumstances. 

Nader found that...


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Syrian Folkloric Band


Al-Fadi band was established in 2006 by Maher Al-Akhras, aiming to restore the Syrian folkloric wedding, the band consists of 40 young people, who perform folkloric music and dance professionally during wedding parties and other religious festivals.

Maher is a married man and a father of 2 daughters, he works as a maintenance technician in the university, besides being the responsible for Al-Fadi band. He came up with this idea and with very simple abilities, he bought the required tools, musical...


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Washing Machines and Engines Maintenance


Waleed is a married man and a father of three, two girls and a son. 

In 1982, he opened his own maintenance workshop, where he repaired washing machines and different types of engines. 

The hard-working man has always given his family love and support and ensured them a dignified life. Although the cruel war forced him to close his workshop, which was damaged by the falling shells, Waleed kept practicing his profession at home, and provided his services for the clients, using...


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Cooking Equipment


When the burdens of life were getting heavier, Kinda, like many Syrian ladies, chose to help her husband Andre and alleviate a part of the heavyweight.

Kinda is a mother of lovely twin girls; Thouraya who studies computer technology and Mary who was born with cerebral palsy and needs special care. Her husband Andre is a retired school teacher, the striving mother spent 12 years working in the field of clothes-making and this allowed her to guarantee an additional source of...


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Stationery Store


Iftikar finished her years of service as a school teacher and retired in 2019, but being a working woman, she couldn't just stay without a job, so she started giving private English language lessons at home. Her husband Marwan is a lawyer who lost his office during the vicious war and couldn't compensate for that loss.

Iftikar and Marwan are parents of three children; two girls and a boy, under the current economic circumstances in the country, the family of five...


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Mobile Phones Maintenance


Raji left his home village after he graduated from high school and headed to the city of Homs seeking a thriving career. 

In 2018, he moved to Homs and settled down with his friends in a rented apartment and worked in a restaurant for 10 months in order to cover his expenses while he was learning mobile phone maintenance by attending specialized courses and also through the internet. Then, he found an opportunity in a mobile phone store, where he practiced...


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Floor Tiling Equipment


Hassan's career started in 1980, between Syria and Lebanon, which enriched his skills and strengthened his experience in the field of tiling.

When he lost his equipment during the war, like many craftsmen in Homs, he worked on his own car as a driver just to provide for his wife and their three children being their sole support in life, and by time, he managed to buy some simple tools and resume practicing his profession. 

Using these modest tools nowadays wasn't enough to work properly, and he couldn't buy new equipment due to the high prices, while he was barely able to cover their daily needs.

This initiative helped him have all the essential equipment to continue and save the family's only source of livelihood. 

Graphic Design and Printing Services


When his work as an employee was no longer ensuring him a decent income, Wassim decided to utilize his skills in graphic design, which he gained by attending specialized courses with lots of practice and took that field as a source of livelihood.

He lives with his wife Seba who is a school teacher, and their four-year-old son Taim in a rented apartment, and the young couple are working hard to guarantee their boy a good and stable life.

In 2018, Wassim...


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Photography Equipment


Alaa is a talented young man in his twenties, he lives with his parents and sister in Jaramana after being displaced from their home in Harasta due to the armed conflict in the area at the beginning of the Syrian crisis.

Alaa was always passionate about photography so he trained at a young age at a Clacket studio to learn more about this career, then he got employed at the communication department at SSSD as a photographer until 2018 trying to...


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Pick-up Truck


In the heart of a bustling area nestled a home where dreams brewed and aspirations soared. Dhyaa Al-Btros, his wife, and his family members lived within its walls, each floor holds a part of his close-knit family.

Since 2004, he delved into the field of confectionery, honing his skills by working at various pastry shops. In 2008 he was called for military service until 2010. Upon discharge, he returned to his roots in Khabab, opening a pastry shop until 2014 when...


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Nail Care & Beauty Salon


Karin Jbeil, a woman of remarkable courage and determination, born in 1989, lived a journey of strength and self-discovery that shaped her life forever.

Married to Wissam Al Ramahin, a dedicated hospital employee, Karin’s life revolved around her family. With two precious children, Sharbel born in 2010, and Christelle in 2013, her days were filled with love and purpose.

Karin's entrepreneurial spirit ignited in 2008 when she enrolled in a nail and waxing course at the European Institute. From 2012 onwards, she...


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Blacksmith Workshop


Reineh Al-Hosh was born in 1997 into a family of craftsmen, Reineh's destiny seemed to unfold within the sparks of a blacksmith's workshop as his father, a seasoned blacksmith, toiled tirelessly at the forge.

From 2017, Reineh honed his craft across various workshops, absorbing every flicker of knowledge passed down by his father's skilled hands. Yet, amidst the clanging of metal, shadows loomed over his family as many health issues burdened his parents, casting shadows over his aspirations.

Reineh was yearning to...


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Printing Center


Saadeh Nader, born in 1993, is married and residing in a rented house in Kashkoul with his parents.

Saadeh's professional journey began in the printing industry. Initially working in a print shop in Safita, he later ventured into freelance graphic design, harnessing his skills in graphic design from 2016 to 2020. Despite setbacks, including the closure of his father's marketplace, Saadeh remained resilient.

In 2020, he moved to Damascus and secured employment at Food Products Company, where he honed his graphic design...


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Griddle Sandwiches


Osama Dawod hails from the war-torn region of Al-Zabadani, where destruction marred the landscape, leaving his family's home in ruins, forcing them to leave due to escalating violence, and settle in Bloudan holding onto hope and resilience.

However, despite financial constraints hindering his education, Osama's determination never wavered. He worked tirelessly, learning how to make Western snacks and grilled meals.

During that period, he took on various jobs to support his household, from working as a kitchen assistant to packing relief supplies,...


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Hairdressing Salon


Youssef Halaweh was born in 1989 in Dwalaa, Damascus city, his father, once a photographer, planted in him a passion for artistic expression to become a talented hairdresser.

Youssef's career as a hairstylist began in 2010, initially focusing on women's hairdressing before transitioning to work as a hairstylist for presenters on television channels like Talaqi and Sama. Despite the professional success, his personal life was fraught with difficulty as his mother battled breast cancer and the financial condition of his family...


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Pick-up Car


Meneam Salloum's life was marked by hardships but with his strong determination he was able to rise above all the challenges he faced.

he is living in Al-Abbasein with his retired father and two brothers, and together they faced numerous setbacks from losing his mother to grappling with unstable security conditions during the crisis, but he never let circumstances define him. 

Before the war started, he was working at his own shoe-making workshop in Jobar, but after few months of the war,...


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Taxi


Rafy Al-Sahwy, born in 1982 and residing in Al-Dwalaa, faced numerous challenges in life. With his parents deceased and siblings married, he lived with his brother, striving to make ends meet. His journey through different jobs—from being a taxi driver to a private chauffeur and later distributing charcoal by bicycle—reflects his resilience amidst hardships.

The war and his father's illness forced Rafy to abandon his farming work at the village and return to live with his family in Damascus. Despite various...


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Photography Equipment


Jean Baghdady, born in 1997, lives with his family in Jaramana. His father, Antoun, works diligently as a maintenance worker at Saint Paul Monastery trying to put food on the table at the end of the day.

Jean's journey through work has been diverse; from volunteering at the UN in 2017 to becoming a photographer's assistant from 2018 until the present day, he has explored various professional avenues. Additionally, he has been employed as a receptionist at Alberto Monastery since 2021....


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Make-up Kit


Raneen Al-Eid is originally from Daraa, her journey took a turn when she shifted to Damascus to pursue her studies in commerce and economics back in 2010. However, her aspirations were rerouted as she got married in 2013.

Her husband worked in a cooling and refrigeration company, and he was trying his best to provide for his family but with the company closure, Raneen and her husband found themselves in the face of financial hardships.

With determination to support her family, Raneen...


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Taxi


Khalil Al-Assaf, 34, carried the weight of responsibilities on his young shoulders, anchored by the memories of his deceased father. His world orbited around his mother, and his siblings: a sister, born in 1986, a school teacher, and a brother, born in 1987, who dedicated himself to volunteer work at the Sacred Hearts.

His journey began during critical conditions as he was called for service in 2010, where he stayed until his discharge in 2020, scarred by shrapnel wounds rendering him...


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