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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Carpentry Workshop


Fadi's family is originally from Aleppo city, they moved to Homs a long time ago and established a new life there. His career as a carpenter started in 1995, the first workshop that he opened was in Ashira neighborhood, which had witnessed the horrors of war; In 2012, Fadi couldn't reach the workshop and unfortunately, the majority of his equipment was stolen.

After this great loss, he took his wife, their three children, and his mother and escaped to Fairouza village...


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Floor Tiling Equipment


Nadim is a craftsman from the city of Homs, he fled with his wife and two sons from their home in Bab Al-Sebaa neighborhood to Fairouza village, where they stayed for a while in their relatives' house. 

He has worked in floor tiling since 1977, then delivered his great skills in this profession to his two sons Simon and Ehssan, who work with him.

When the situation improved in Homs city, the family couldn't go back because their house was completely stolen,...


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Sewing Workshop


"My love for this profession overcame all the difficulties."

Amal from Al-Qaryatayn village (near Homs) was trained by a famous seamstress, and her career path launched in 1985. She continued working at home after marriage, and many girls learned this profession thanks to her great experience in the field, her special skills crossed the borders of the village and she became one of the well-known seamstresses around all of Homs.

In 2015, Al-Qaryatayn village was attacked by armed groups and Amal's family...


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Wall Painting & Spraying Equipment


Ziad has been working in the field of wall painting and wood spraying since he was 20 years old. He is the only provider for his wife Rana and their 3 children; Catherina (16 years old), Toulay (13 years old), and Tarek (1 year old).

He worked in many different construction sites around Homs; in 2011, he was working in a village called "Kafr Aya" when armed groups attacked the area, Ziad and the workers who were with him thankfully managed...


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Interior Design


Shadi's ambition has no limits and when his work as an employee was no longer enough to cover his family's needs, he decided to follow a new path. In 2007, he studied interior design online and started working as a freelancer by connecting and dealing with engineering firms.

The single man lives with his mother and two sisters in their house in Al-Hamidia neighborhood. In 2012 the family escaped their city when it became very dangerous; they traveled to a village...


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Photographing Equipment


“The more you work hard, the more opportunities you will get, nothing comes easily” 

Naeem is a photographer who lives with his parents and brother in Al-Hamidia neighborhood. He chose this career when he was 18 and worked for two well-known photographic laboratories where he gained many special skills. 

On the 1st of May 2011, he was called for military service, and his family faced the same fate as many Syrian families who were displaced from their homes. Once their neighborhood was...


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Mini Pick-up Truck


Tarek's future was changed forever when he was called to serve in the army for 10 years of his life. He lives with his wife Nour, who works as an employee, and their 3-year-old daughter Catalia in a rented apartment and he is also the sole provider for his widowed mother. 

After his long service finished, his journey to find a source of livelihood began; having no former experience in any profession was a huge barrier in his way, he thought...


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Mini Pick-up Truck


Faraj had to leave school and seek a source of livelihood at a very young age in order to help provide for his parents and siblings. After finishing his military service in 1996, he worked as a driver on different vehicles, and throughout his long career he dealt with many companies.

Faraj got married in 2002 and had two sons. In 2011, the family of four escaped their home city Homs, to a village called "Kafroun" where he had to work...


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Grapevines


Syrian women have always been an essential part of the country's economic structure, playing big roles in many different sectors and Duaa is an example of that.

Duaa and her husband Rami are a young couple from Maskanah village, they work together in their land of grapevines, which is their only source to provide for their 5-year-old daughter Elitia and their 1-year-old baby George.

The family owns a tractor in addition to a tanker that they fill with the required agricultural materials...


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Mini-Cultivator


Fadi from Maskanah village is a married man and a father of two children. He worked as a wall painter in Lebanon for 23 years and unfortunately, was one of the craftsmen who lost their livelihoods there due to the economic crisis and the rapid spread of Coronavirus. 

In 2019, the hardworking man had no other choice but to return and start over; he tried to find a suitable work opportunity in his profession but being out of the country all...


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Plumbing Equipment


The economic situation imposed a new reality on the country, the huge inflation affected all the activities and caused a severe lack of work opportunities. 

During the last few months, Bassam's work has almost stopped; he worked as a plumber since 1990, he provides for a big family consisting of his wife Laila, his sister-in-law Mirvat who is blind, his daughter Hiba, and his son Samer who got newly married and works with him in plumbing. 

Bassam lost all of his equipment during...


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Agricultural Vehicle


Mohsen is a married man with five children, he used to work in floor grinding and polishing in Lebanon but unfortunately, he lost his work and had to return home due to the hard situation there. The only choice left for him in order to ensure a dignified life for his family was to go back to his original work in farming, which he had depended on for more than 20 years.

Mohsen's land is planted with olive trees, different kinds...


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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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