Abdullah Hatem, a hardworking 31-year-old with an entrepreneurial mindset, started his journey from a young age. He worked alongside his father, who owned a car mechanic workshop, but Abdullah did not envision himself working in the same field. Instead, he developed a keen interest in the art of garment printing. In 2012, he embarked on his journey and worked towards starting his own project and owning a workshop.

Abdullah's determination and hard work allowed him to save every penny he earned, aiming to purchase his very own shop. Initially, he rented a small space, but through persistent efforts, he eventually managed to buy his own workshop. However, the outbreak of war disrupted his business, causing a significant decline in his income. Additionally, he faced the challenge of acquiring the necessary printing equipment.

Abdullah made investments with a friend in an attempt to increase his income, but unfortunately, it did not yield favorable returns. Faced with these setbacks, he found himself in need of a helping hand to provide the push he required. With the assistance of Hope Center and access to essential equipment and materials, he aimed to boost the productivity and quality of his project. He found solace and guidance, which restored hope and determination to overcome all hardships.

Kevork is a 53-year-old skilled mechanic with over 30 years of experience in car maintenance and mechanics. He used to work in his workshop, which he owned since 2005. However, when the war started, his house in Aleppo was damaged by the ongoing shelling. As a result, he was forced to make the difficult decision of selling the equipment he had acquired through years of hard work and moving to Lebanon with his family.

From 2015 onwards, he resided in Lebanon along with his wife and his two sons. In 2018, he returned to Aleppo. Relying on his years of experience, he was determined to support his family.

Despite the challenges he faced, living with his parents, he remained committed to provide for his loved ones. With the assistance of the Hope Center, Kevork was able to obtain all the essential equipment he needed. With his revived business and experience, he was able to rebuild his thriving business.

Bassil Mssedy, a dedicated father in his 50s, worked as a blacksmith for 15 years in the industrial city of Aleppo. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the war made him jobless. The industrial area, once thriving, now lay in ruins.

Bassil and his wife used to reside in a rented house in Al Midan, an area that was heavily bombarded during the war. Tragedy struck one fateful day when a missile destroyed their home. Miraculously, they had left the house just an hour prior, escaping unharmed. Although relieved that their lives were spared, their house suffered significant damage, so they had to move in with their parents in 2014.

Despite their challenging circumstance and unemployment, Bassil managed to secure a position as a church keeper, working part-time. However, his income was barely sufficient to support his family. His wife worked at the airport to help her husband. Unfortunately, she also battled diabetes, adding further strain to their finances due to medical expenses.

Ensuring their basic needs became a daily challenge, as putting food on the table proved to be a constant struggle. They heavily relied on food baskets and cash aids to make ends meet. 

In the depths of despair, Bassil was filled with hope when he received assistance from the Hope Center. With the new taxi he received, he was able to increase his resilience and income, which brought stability to his life.

George Tabbakh is a skilled CNC machinist with 15 years of experience. He began his career in 1997 until 2002 when he decided to start his own business and invest in a metal lathing machine. George has always had a passion for personal development and enjoys immersing himself in new learning experiences. Aware of the potential of 3D printing and mechanical drawing, he attended numerous workshops and courses to enhance his skills with software like SolidWorks.

In 2008, George purchased his own 3D printer. Things were going well until the outbreak of war significantly impacted his business. Faced with financial challenges and a scarcity of jobs, George was forced to sell his equipment. However, in 2015, he resolved to rebuild his career and opened a new shop with the hope of reestablishing his work.

George encountered a multitude of difficulties and challenges. Despite working tirelessly to increase his income, the majority of his earnings were consumed by electricity bills, leaving little to provide for his family of three. His work particularly suffered from the absence of a CNC machine. Whenever a customer requested a small sample, George had to rely on others who owned such machines, often waiting for a month just to receive a sample due to the machine's scarcity in the city.

George and his wife made the conscious decision to stay in Aleppo, despite numerous opportunities to relocate. His wife also contributes to the family's income, supporting her husband through these challenging times. While they have hopes for better prospects in Syria, they are concerned about the low salaries and inflation.

With the support of hope centers, George finally obtained the necessary equipment for his job. The availability of the CNC machine has been a game-changer for his business, allowing him to produce samples quickly and efficiently. George remains dedicated to his craft, determined to make the most of this newfound opportunity to improve his financial situation and provide for his family.

Vahe Tashjian is a 56-year-old mechanic with 23 years of experience. In his younger years, he worked in Kuwait, but he later moved to Aleppo, where he found employment in various companies. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of war, the companies closed down, leaving him jobless. 

Vahe has always dreamt of owning his own workshop, but his previous attempts were unsuccessful due to the need for financial resources, in 2022, he briefly went to Dubai but got very ill. In less than a year, Vahe returned to Aleppo with great hopes and determination to establish his livelihood. Given his extensive experience, he no longer wanted to work as an employee. 

Luckily, through a friend, he managed to secure a temporary workshop without having to pay rent. As Vahe took his first steps in this new workspace, the recent earthquake impacting the already struggling job market and resulted in a severe decline in customers. This situation left him with no choice but to take matters into his own hands. In order to cut costs, he had to let go of his workers and do the hard physical work himself, which put strain on his health.

 After receiving approval for his project, Vahe felt a sense of relief. He could now bring back his dedicated workers and once again immerse himself in the job he loved. No longer needing to rely on borrowed equipment from others, Vahe was finally able to invest in his own tools and resources. He could provide for his family and generate a more substantial income.

Aziz is a determined young man, recently married to Rasha and waiting for their first born child.

He worked as a driver since 2009 and continued working in this job during his ten-years military service in Damascus, Rasha works as a nurse in a hospital and they live in a modest rented house. 

During his service aziz was injured in the leg then he was discharged and he started looking for a job to secure his life and future. His parents decided to travel and leave the country but Aziz decided to stay and he started looking for a job to secure his life; he started working night shifts at a beverage shop in a local neighborhood but the salary was low and the job included many troubles so he kept his faith and determined to search for a solution to enhance his situation. 

After getting married, Aziz responsibilities got bigger and he found the micro program as the best opportunity to get back to his original career as a driver, with the support he got the taxi and he can now improve his income and provide a good life for his wife and awaited child. 

Antoine had a good life before the war working as a hairdresser with great skill and many customers, in 2013 he was called for military service and had to serve for nine long years in Aleppo's suburbs which affected his health greatly as he was subject to many injuries from explosions.

Antoine suffered from a neurological condition that caused trembling in his hands and he no longer was able to continue in his original career of hairstyling, even grabbing the scissors became the most difficult task for him.

However, he didn't surrender and was determined to find a way to secure his livelihood especially that he is the breadwinner of the household that he shares with his parents and he looks after them; the family had to sell their house in Midan area after the brother was called to service so they can afford the increasing livelihood expenses.

He started working in a blacksmithing workshop but the income was insufficient and it demanded a lot of physical effort. With the support of the Micro Projects program, Antoine got a taxi that would help him make a better living and at the same time it is the most suitable job for his health condition, hopefully it will be the start of a better days to come for him and his loved ones. 

Haytham's journey in the world of tailoring began in 1988, Aleppo, During the war Haytham faced a great loss when his workshop in Shekh Maksoud was completely destroyed and all of his sewing machines and tools were stolen. He used to work alongside his brother for a short period of time, but circumstances led them to separate and focus on their individual projects. Haytham received his share of the profits, which he had planned for his own project, but instead, his wife got very sick so he had to use the money for her surgery. Unfortunately, destiny had a cruel twist in store for him as his beloved wife passed away after a heart surgery in 2014, leaving him devastated and alone.

In Haytham's time of despair, a friend suggested that he rent a workshop. Thankfully, the owners were understanding and charged him a minimal amount of rent, which was a relief considering the financial burden Haytham was already facing. However, there were additional expenses that Haytham had to bear, especially the high monthly private electricity bills. Most of his hard-earned income seemed to disappear into these bills, leaving him with little income to support himself.

Recently, Haytham received devastating news that the owners of the workshop were planning to sell the workshop, without even considering the impact it would have on him and on his son George. Determined not to let this happen, Haytham made the decision to upgrade the workshop in an attempt to prevent the owners from selling it. He planned to replace the outdated sewing machines with new ones that consumed only less electricity. This upgrade would not only modernize his workshop but also significantly reduce the electricity consumption.

With over 35 years of experience, Haytham has mastered the art of creating a wide variety of cotton-wear clothing, to both men and women, including pajamas and robes. As for his personal life, he and his son George live in a rented house. However, Haytham strives to provide the best life possible for his son and wishes to ensure a stable and successful future for him. Haytham's determination and drive are truly admirable. Growing up as an orphan, he experienced hardships at a very young age; however, his determination and passion for his craft have always been the driving forces in his life. Today, with the new machines and support from the Hope Center that Haytham has received, he has overcome challenges and secured a better future for himself and his beloved son, George.

Antoine is 28 years old, married and a father of a 1 year old lovely boy, he has served in the military for almost the last ten years of his life which has robbed him of any opportunity to pursue a career and build a future for his family.

with no experience and a very harsh economic situation of the country, Antoine put a lot of thinking of his next step in life, he looked for any job that would help him provide a decent life for his wife and newborn son, he started working in a soap factory but the salary is very low and not sufficient to make ends meet. 

The earthquake had a huge impact on this family, they lived in fear and were affected by the damages, the church helped them and continues to deliver a small monthly aid, unfortunately the situation is deteriorating with the inflation and the increasing living costs. 

Antoine found hope in the Micro Projects program when he applied for a taxi as it doesn't require a former experience and at the same time he can work long hours and make a better income to improve the livelihood of his loved ones. 

Salem Kadah, a 40-year-old tailor, chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a tailor himself. Before the war, he worked alongside his father. However, after his father passed away in 2003, Salem forged his own path and began working in jeans production, distributing products to high-end brands. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of war, his business was disrupted, which forced him to look for alternative sources of income.

In 2016-2017, Salem attempted to revive jeans production but faced significant challenges due to low-profit margins. Consequently, he shifted his focus to tailoring and repairing clothes, utilizing his father's shop. Unfortunately, outdated sewing machines consumed substantial amounts of electricity, the cost of electricity bills was eating into his already modest income.

Despite the difficult circumstances during the war when work opportunities were scarce, Salem always found a way to make ends meet and worked tirelessly; however, minimal income broke his thrive.

Today, with the support he received and his unwavering dedication, Salem now feels confident that his hardships will no longer go to waste on excessive bills. His wife also works and supports him, while together, they provide for their family. Salem seeks to upgrade his workshop, aiming to increase his income by expanding production rather than solely relying on clothes repair.

Upgrading his machinery will undoubtedly lower electricity consumption and save time and effort. Today with the support of Hope Center Salem's 20 years of experience and hard work have not been in vain. With renewed hope, he aspires to resume his job and provide good living for his family.

Mardiros a young barber with seven years of experience, he lives with his mother and bears the sole responsibility of being the family's breadwinner. As a talent in his craft, Mardiros was longing for the security and independence that came with owning his own barbershop. However, the lack of supportive environment and economic challenges of the country left him hesitant to take the leap. He meticulously calculated every aspect, and despite numerous attempts, he remained doubtful as it posed a significant risk.

Having endured the frustration of earning minimum salaries while working for others, Mardiros knew he needed his own equipment to establish his resilience. Mardiros had an idea to minimize the cost of rent, Mardiros's current barbershop decided to offer him the opportunity to rent a chair in their salon for his own customers. This arrangement enabled him to reduce rental expenses while still generating a steady source of income.

With the approval from the Hope Center, Mardiros received an incredible boost in confidence and support. Finally, he could embark on his journey towards independence. The burst of hope and opportunity provided by the Hope Center gave Mardiros the courage to chase his dreams, ensuring a brighter future for himself and his family. 

Nancy Samaan, an ambitious young girl from Tartous, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts and later relocated with her family to Aleppo. Nancy always had a clear vision of her passion for graphic design and poured her heart and soul into her work.

At a young age, in 2018, Nancy started her career as a graphic designer. However, she soon realized that her previous job didn't provide the opportunities she needed to improve her skills and profession. Determined to grow, she embarked on a new job that allowed her to explore photography, expanding her abilities and opening up diverse avenues in graphic design. She delved into areas like social media content creation and product advertisement.

After gaining five years of experience in the field, Nancy desired to work independently, driven by her longing for financial independence. She planned to achieve her goals step by step and began by building an impressive portfolio of her work, which earned her positive feedback from customers who admired her talent and expressed a desire to collaborate. Nancy leveraged social media platforms to showcase her work and gain recognition in the job market. With unwavering confidence and fearlessness, Nancy's ultimate dream career was to become an interior designer.

However, the unavailability of a laptop became the only obstacle hindering her success; One day, while working from home, Nancy's laptop suddenly stopped functioning due to a surge in electricity, resulting in the loss of all her files and documents.

Standing as Nancy's number one supporter, her mother is immensely proud of her daughter's determination and unwavering belief in her abilities. With the support she received from the CHC team, Nancy regained her confidence with her new laptop and took the first step towards realizing her dream and unleashing her boundless creativity to pursue a fulfilling career.

Hassan, a dedicated family man, had always been the backbone of his household. As the sole provider, he had been working tirelessly in the field of wall painting and furniture spraying since 1986, ensuring that his wife and two sons had a roof over their heads and food on the table.

The war brought immense hardship to his family. Their home was tragically burned to the ground, leaving them with nothing but shattered memories. Despite the devastating setback, Hassan was determined to rebuild their lives from the ground up. With the assistance of local organizations, he managed to rehabilitate their home. 

However, life had more challenges for him. His electric bike, which had been his means of transportation and a vital tool for his work, was stolen. This unfortunate incident left him struggling to commute and caused a severe setback to his livelihood. Transportation costs soared, making it even more difficult for him to make ends meet.

Hope emerged on the horizon when Hassan learned about the Micro Projects Program. He decided to apply for assistance. He sought an electric generator, aware that his profession heavily relied on a reliable energy source. Additionally, he applied for a new electric bike to replace the stolen one, hoping it would alleviate the financial burden caused by expensive transportation.

He had attempted to save money to buy the much-needed items himself, but the ever-increasing prices and the growing needs of his family in the face of harsh economic conditions made it an arduous task. The Micro Projects Program presented a glimmer of hope, offering a chance to rebuild their lives once again.

His application was accepted. The program provided him with both the electric generator and a brand-new electric bike. The weight of financial strain began to lift from his shoulders, and a renewed sense of optimism filled his heart.

With the electric generator powering his work and the electric bike speeding him along, Hassan's livelihood regained its momentum. He found solace in the fact that he could now support his family more effectively, ensuring their well-being and brighter prospects for the future.Despite facing many hardships, his determination and the assistance provided by the Micro Projects Program allowed him to rebuild his life and provide for his loved ones once again.

Edwar, a hardworking farmer, has always dedicated his life to cultivating the land inherited from his father in the village of Qattinah. His love for farming goes hand in hand with his deep commitment to providing for his family. Married to his supportive wife, Laila, and blessed with three university-going children, two daughters, and a son, Edwar's main goal is to ensure their well-being.

However, their journey has not been without hardships. In 2013, during the devastating war, his wheat land fell victim to a destructive fire, leaving him unable to revive it until 2015. Despite this setback, he remained resilient and resourceful, finding alternative ways to sustain his family's livelihood.

To supplement their income, Edwar wisely allocated a portion of his inherited land to raise two cows. This decision provided them with an additional source of income, helping them make ends meet. Nevertheless, challenges persisted in their farming routine.

Plowing the land had become a financial burden for him, as he had to rely on renting a tractor. Determined to find a solution, he resorted to manual labor, dragging a traditional plowing iron fork himself. The physically demanding task took a toll on his energy. Additionally, Edwar painstakingly removed harmful weeds from his land by hand, a laborious and time-consuming process.

Hope came in the form of the Micro Projects Program, to which Edwar applied for assistance. Recognizing his dedication and the potential impact of his work, the program provided him a mini-cultivator. This simple yet transformative machine not only saved him from the tiring job of manual plowing but also significantly reduced the associated costs.

Furthermore, Edwar received a weed cutter, another invaluable tool that lightened his workload. With the support of these modern farming implements, he was able to focus more on the cultivation itself, improving his productivity and ensuring a higher yield.

Through his hard work and the assistance provided by the Micro Projects Program, he was able to overcome the challenges and enhance the livelihood of his family. With renewed hope and a brighter future, Edwar continues to sow the seeds of success, nurturing both his crops and the dreams of his loved ones.

Rana, a talented graduate from the faculty of pharmacy 2018, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by opening her first pharmacy in 2019, which was located in a village near Homs.

In 2021, her life took a beautiful turn when she married Hussam, a diligent bank employee. They decided to start their life together in Fairouza village. However, the couple faced financial constraints that prevented them from opening a pharmacy in their new location due to to the challenging economic circumstances.

Determined to continue practicing her profession, Rana took up a position working for a pharmacist, allowing her to stay connected to her passion. 

After working for an entire year, she decided that having her own project is a necessity and saw the Micro Projects Program as a great chance to fulfill her dream of opening a pharmacy once again and chose the vibrant Al-Hamidia neighborhood as the ideal location for her new project. 

In pursuit of her dream, Rana persevered through financial obstacles and remained dedicated to her profession. With the support of the Micro Projects Program, she finally found an opportunity to open her own pharmacy.

Tammam is a farmer from Al-Dwair village who is still trying to fix what the brutal war had left behind. 

He is a married man and a father of two, he works as an employee besides farming being the family's sole breadwinner. 

When Al-Dwair village was attacked by the armed groups, Tammam took his family and escaped to the city of Homs leaving everything. Unfortunately, the loss was huge; their house was severely damaged while all of the trees on their land were cut down, in addition to stealing all the agricultural equipment and destroying the water well. 

Thankfully, the situation stabilized in the village; Tammam repaired his damaged house, which cost him a lot of money, and spent all of his savings on planting a part of the land with new olive trees but he couldn’t afford to continue since he wanted to buy a water pump and plant the remaining part of his land with wheat to improve the income. 

Tammam and his family are attempting to begin and rebuild their life, this support will allow them to settle back in their home village. 

Elias, a dedicated family man from the village of Qattinah, faced the challenges of providing for his loved ones while working as a government employee and cultivating his land. Married to Nisreen and blessed with two children, Jan and Julia, Elias worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

His modest salary and farming endeavors in almonds, olives, fruit trees, and potatoes sustained his family. However, the toil of manually plowing the land and relying on borrowed water from his neighbor's well hindered his progress. Elias dreamed of enhancing his agricultural practices, but the financial burden prevented him from affording a drip irrigation network.

Realizing the need for additional support, he applied to the Micro Projects Program. He sought a mini-cultivator and a drip irrigation system to boost his agricultural project. 

The Micro Projects Program approved his application. They provided him with the needed mini-cultivator and drip irrigation system. This assistance transformed his farming methods, saving him from the laborious task of manual plowing and ensuring efficient irrigation for his crops.

With the mini-cultivator effortlessly churning the soil and the drip irrigation system nourishing his plants, Elias witnessed a remarkable improvement in his agricultural project. The increased productivity and reduced physical strain allowed him to allocate more time to his family.

Elias's almond, olive, fruit trees, and potatoes flourished under the optimized conditions. His harvests multiplied, providing a substantial boost to his income. The burden of borrowing equipment and struggling with manual labor became a thing of the past.

Ehssan, a farmer and devoted family man, found himself facing challenges in his village of Qattinah. Married and with three children to support, he relied on his income as a physics and chemistry teacher, which unfortunately provided him with only a meager salary since 1999.

In 2013, tragedy struck when his beloved wife began experiencing severe vision problems. Over the course of four years, she underwent several eye surgeries, but, devastatingly, she eventually lost her sight. This life-altering event added an immense burden to their already difficult circumstances.

Eager to alleviate their financial strain, Ehssan sought opportunities to improve his farming practices. He longed to reduce the high costs of plowing his land, which significantly impacted his meager earnings. Additionally, he saw an opportunity to provide plowing services to fellow farmers, thereby ensuring an extra source of income for his family.

Determined to overcome these challenges, he applied to the Micro Projects Program, hoping to acquire a mini-cultivator. With this essential tool, he could efficiently plow his land, eliminating the need to rent expensive tractors. This newfound self-sufficiency would enable him to increase the productivity of his land, leading to a substantial improvement in his family's overall income.

Thanks to the Micro Projects Program, Ehssan's application was approved, and he obtained the mini-cultivator he needed. With renewed hope and enthusiasm, he tirelessly worked his land.

The mini-cultivator not only saved him from the costs of plowing but also allowed him to offer his services to neighboring farmers. This entrepreneurial venture not only empowered him to generate additional income but also fostered a sense of community cooperation and support among local farmers.

Waleed, a hardworking farmer from the village of Qattinah, faced some challenges in providing for his family. Besides cultivating his land, he worked as an employee to ensure an additional income for his household. His family consisted of his wife, Reem, a dedicated school teacher, his son, Antoun, who was in the eighth grade, and his daughter, Sarah, who was in the fifth grade.

His land was his pride and joy. He diligently cultivated various crops, including beans, fruit trees, and walnut trees. To aid in the process, he had a water well and a water pump installed, along with a drip irrigation network. However, plowing the land had become an increasing financial burden. Waleed was forced to rent a tractor, which strained his resources and caused him to reduce the frequency of plowing from three times to just once. Unfortunately, this had a detrimental effect on the land's productivity.

In attempt to find a solution, he applied to the Micro Projects Program, seeking assistance. Through the program, he was supported a mini-cultivator, a trailer, and various plant treatments. This machinery would revolutionize his farming practices. With the mini-cultivator and trailer, he could efficiently organize the plowing process, eliminating the need for expensive rentals. Moreover, the equipment would significantly improve production. Additionally, the plant treatments provided would save him costs associated with spraying the trees.

Waleed's spirits soared as he realized the positive impact these resources would have on his family's livelihood. The mini-cultivator would relieve his financial burden and enhance the land's productivity, ensuring a bountiful harvest for years to come. With his newfound tools and treatments, he could look forward to a brighter future, providing for his beloved wife and children while nurturing his beloved land.

Samih, a retired government employee and lifelong farmer from the village of Qattinah, is a devoted husband and father of two children. Living under one roof with his wife, children, and elderly mother-in-law, he has always worked tirelessly to provide for his family.

During the war, his once-prosperous land suffered greatly. The warehouses were destroyed, and all the trees were mercilessly cut down. Despite these setbacks, he remained resilient and determined to rebuild his farm.

With two plots of land situated just 500 meters apart, Samih started the restoration process. He began by planting young almond trees and vegetables on one portion, while the other half was divided between grapevines and crops like wheat and potatoes. To ensure proper irrigation, he relied on two water wells in one of the lands, while the other land was watered using hoses. He borrowed money to purchase a motor for the water sprayers, a crucial investment for his farming operations.

When he learned about the Micro Projects Program, he saw an opportunity to improve his irrigation system further. Realizing that he only had one line of water sprayers, he eagerly applied for assistance in the form of compost and additional water sprayers. The support provided by the program would undoubtedly enhance his production and bring him one step closer to reclaiming the prosperity he once enjoyed.

With unwavering determination and the newfound support from the Micro Projects Program, Samih continues to nurture his land, embracing the hope of a brighter future for his family and the flourishing farm they call home.

Rakan is a farmer from Qattinah village, who has faced a lot of challenges throughout his life. As the only son in his family, he has taken on the responsibility of providing for his parents and sister. From a young age, he embraced the life of a farmer, toiling tirelessly on the land.

However, his life took a devastating turn when their house, situated on the outskirts of the village, fell victim to the ravages of war. With their home destroyed, Rakan and his family were forced to seek refuge in his grandparents' house at the center of Qattinah village. It was a period of hardship and displacement, but they hoped for a brighter future.

In the midst of these difficulties, another challenge arose when Rakan was diagnosed with lymphoma. His resilience and determination were put to the test as he underwent a year and a half of radiation treatment. Against all odds, he emerged victorious, beating the disease and emerging stronger than ever.

Although his family's land was planted with wheat and potatoes, they lacked the necessary resources to maximize its potential. The land required additional support in the form of fertilizers and various vegetable seeds to enhance production. Furthermore, Rakan needed new water sprayers for irrigation, as the ones he had were stolen during the war. To improve plowing efficiency, he applied for a mini-cultivator, which would revolutionize his farming methods.

He turned to the Micro Projects Program for assistance, with the aid of fertilizers, seeds, water sprayers, and a mini-cultivator, Rakan's farming capabilities expanded exponentially.

With renewed hope and a renewed commitment to his passion, he embarked on a new chapter. The once-barren land flourished, yielding bountiful crops.

Through determination, unwavering perseverance, and the assistance of the Micro Projects Program, Rakan turned his dreams into reality, ensuring a brighter future not just for himself, but for generations to come.

Life had thrown several challenges in Rami's way, but he never lost hope. Living with his parents and sister, he worked diligently alongside his father in their plumbing requirements shop, a small business he joined in 2020.

However, their journey hadn't been without its share of hardships. In 2013, when conflict erupted in their city, their house found itself in the midst of the clashes. Forced to flee for their safety, the family had to leave their beloved home behind and seek refuge in a more secure neighborhood. They spent two years there, hoping for a day when they could return.

When the fighting subsided, Rami's family eagerly made their way back, only to find their home ravaged by bullets and shells. Despite the damage, they did their best to repair what they could, but their resources were limited. It was during this trying time that a local organization extended a helping hand, offering support and assistance to restore their house.

Although the family found solace in having a roof over their heads again, the economic consequences of the conflict had a lasting impact on their livelihood. The plumbing requirements shop remained their sole source of income, but the economic downturn had taken its toll. Rami and his father struggled to keep the shop stocked with goods, hindering their ability to generate sales and secure their future.

Rami took matters into his own hands. Determined to revitalize the business, he applied to the Micro Projects Program. He saw this as an opportunity to replenish the shop's inventory and improve sales.

With optimism in his heart, he awaited the outcome of his application. He knew that if he got this opportunity, he could breathe new life into the plumbing requirements shop. He dreamt of expanding their offerings, attracting more customers, and securing a brighter future for his family.

Regardless of the challenges they had faced, Rami remained resilient. His unwavering dedication to his family would serve as a beacon of hope, guiding them through the darkest of times.

When Kaleem finished studying at the electrical institute back in 2010, he decided to finish his mandatory service, which was supposed to last for two years. However, the vicious war started after only one year, and Kaleem was kept due to the unstable situation and wasn’t discharged until 2019!

At the same period, his home village Al-Dwair was attacked by armed groups; his family was displaced for six years and lost their house, livestock, and the agricultural equipment they had. 

Today, after the unfortunate death of the father, the family returned and Kaleem is living with his mother and three brothers, and they are doing their best, trying to compensate for a part of the losses. 

Kaleem lost nine years of his life and didn’t have a former experience in any field but in farming, and the land is his only way to have a sustainable source of livelihood.

He applied to the Micro Projects Program hoping to revive his agricultural activity and establish a good future.

Laura's life took a turn after the displacement from Homs city. Struggling to make ends meet, she found solace in her small family; her husband Elias and their daughter Layal. Despite Elias's health issues, they managed to open a mini-market together. She tirelessly tried to make a balance between her job as an employee at a shoe store and the mini-market, hoping to secure a better future for Layal.

Determined to improve her business, Laura applied to the Micro Projects Program for support. She had a vision of offering dairy products to her customers, which required a refrigerator and a solar power system. With this assistance, her mini-market thrived, bringing in more customers and improving their income.

Grateful for the support, Laura and Elias felt hopeful for a brighter tomorrow. Hoping that they find stability and joy in Fairouza village. 

When someone has been through terrible trauma and they’re starting a new life from scratch, it’s not easy for them to recover especially if they were living in a post-war period like the case of Yazan Sayegh.

He is 25 and lives with his parents and sister in Kashkoul. Yazan was 18 when the family received the news of his brother’s death during his military service in Aleppo. Such news was devastating for the whole family especially Yazan who had to stay steady for his parents whose health was affected badly as a result.

Yazan found himself at the age of 18, responsible for his family, and had to work in order to afford the living demands. He started to work as a barber and learned about the profession but despite all his hard work, it was hard for him to save any money and establish his own work due to the increasing prices which made him struggle to afford the basic livelihood for his family. Yazan started to think of traveling abroad in order to make a decent career and living but he didn't want to leave his parents alone especially since they lost their first son.

Out of its endeavor to preserve the Christian families in the county, Hope Center supported Yazan in purchasing all the tools and equipment needed to have his own barber shop to provide him with a sustainable source of income to overcome his obstacles and improve his living hoping that this project will help in keeping him in the country beside his beloved family.

Mariam always believed that there is no limit to what she could accomplish despite all the difficulties she had been through

She is 40 years old, divorced, and originally from Tartous but lives alone in a small room in Damascus. Mariam got married at a young age but after seven years she got divorced and returned with her kids to live at her parents' house in Tartous. She didn’t hesitate to continue her education and was enrolled at the trade and economics university and started to work at the same time to afford her living.

Her brother passed away in 2013 leaving her, her parents, and four sisters heartbroken, Things changed a lot after his death as her parents’ psychological condition was affected badly and Maryam had to increase her income to support them.

She decided to move to Damascus in order to find better job opportunities seeking for better income to support herself and her family in Tartous. Mariam tried many jobs but she wasn’t lucky. she was good at trading so she started to work in online marketing because she wasn’t able to afford her own shop but it wasn’t profitable enough to afford a proper living. 

Through the help of Hope-center, Mariam was supported to have her own perfume and cosmetics shop which she considered the life chance that would improve her living conditions and help her to secure a decent life. 

Maram Mahfoud 31, is an independent, hardworking woman, who was always strong enough to stand alone in the face of difficult circumstances.

She lives with her parents in an old room in Bab Sharqi. Her father used to work at a sanitary maintenance workshop but after getting old, his health didn’t allow him to keep working which affected their financial conditions. Despite her young age, Maram decided to start working and support her parents so she enrolled in a make-up course at the church and started to work in this field then in 2017 her friend bought a Laser cutting machine and asked Maram to help him. She quickly learned to work on the machine, trained on its programs, and became excellent at running the work alone. However, her salary was low in comparison with the hard work she was doing so in her spare time she kept working in make-up in order to increase her income and afford the living expenses.

Maram wanted to rely on herself and have her own project because she believed in achieving her goals through determination and perseverance so she applied at the Micro-project office asking for support.

Now, after the fund, Maram is so grateful to have her own laser workshop and started to do marketing to enhance her work full of faith that she will succeed in this project and her living situation will be improved.

Johnny Fallouh is 33 years old, he is newly married and soon to be a father. In 2006, he started his career as a pastry chef and was passionate about this job but in 2011 he was called to join the military service and thought that it would be for two years and then he would go back to continue his normal life and the work he loves.

Unfortunately, his service coincided with the beginning of the war in Syria, it extended to 10 years under difficult conditions and at critical times as he served in Al-Hasaka city which was one of the most severe war locations. 

However, in 2021 Johnny was discharged and went back home, but the postwar period was not easy and he couldn’t return to his old job as a Chef because it was no longer enough to meet the household demands. 

Johnny had no choice but to find another career so he started working as a salesman, he also got married and wanted to establish a family which was difficult especially since his wife got pregnant and they are waiting now for their first baby.

Supporting this newly established family was always one of the Hope-Center goals. Johnny was supported with the mini-van in order to improve his work and income, help preserve his dignity and fulfill his responsibility towards his wife and newborn baby.

With a deep wound in his heart, Jan Samaan was struggling each day to continue his life journey and improve his condition.

Jan was worked as a carpenter since 1990 as he established a carpentry workshop in partnership with his friend specializing in the field of kitchens and bedrooms. Together they worked hard to improve their business.

However, during the war, the carpentry work decreased and their income became not enough for both of them so his friend decided to end the partnership and work on his own which forced Jan to take his machines and equipment and start his own workshop in Dwalaa trying to preserve his career from declining.

During that period, Jan got married to Shereen Deeb and they had their first baby Joseph in 2016.

Soon after his son’s birth, he was diagnosed with abdominal cancer at a critical level making Jan feels as if his world was about to collapse. He started to focus on treating his son which was a difficult period in their life and cost a lot but Jan didn’t hesitate to spend all his savings for that purpose then he sold his workshop machines to handle the high cost of his son’s treatment. Unfortunately, all of those endeavors didn’t save his son and he passed away in 2020 the same year that Jan and his wife had their daughter Marita whose birth played a major role in getting her parents out of their state of grief.

With Marits's birth, Jan decided to travel to Sudan seeking to find better job opportunities to compensate for his losses but he wasn’t that lucky so he went back to Syria working in several workshops trying his best to secure a proper living for his family.

Bypassing all his circumstances, Jan decided to apply to the Micro-project asking for support and that what he gained as he was supported with the carpentry machines and necessary equipment that will enable him of having his own workshop so he could revive his profession and secure a decent living for his family.

“All the incidents we went through during the years of war were no harder than holding my son bleeding and seeing him fighting death to survive”

This is how Samer explained his tragedies during the Syrian war.

Samer Deeb is 49 years old, married to Roula Memary, and has two sons Elias born in 2004 and Gabi born in 2006. He lives with his family and sick mother at a modest flat in Dwalaa area.

Before the crisis, Samer was working as a waiter and then became a hall supervisor in different restaurants in Bab Touma until the year 2020 when his health started to deteriorate and he became unable to stand for long hours so he started to work as a salesperson, driving a pickup car and delivering vegetables and goods to shops and markets.

Samer’s financial condition was very bad, especially after the incident his son Gabi went through, as in the year 2013, Gabi was shot in the head while they were on their way to the village, he was transferred to Tartous Hospital where he remained under operations for six fateful hours until the surgeons were able to rescue him.

Although Gabi survived, he suffered many psychological effects and asthma, which took him many years to recover and continue his study. 

On the other hand, his second son Elias finished his baccalaureate exam and started to work as a hairdresser trainee trying as much as possible to reduce his expenses and support his father.

Samer was in desperate need of a new chance in his life and through the micro-projects, he was able to get it. 

Today after being funded with the pick-up, he started to restore his independence and dignity and he is willing to work as long hours as he could to provide his family with proper living conditions.

Firas had to face enormous difficulties in his life as he was responsible for his sick mother and disabled sister in addition to the household demands so he started working as a mini-bus driver at a young age seeking direct income to afford the living expenses.

He was working on Darayya-Damascus transportation line but after the start of the war, it became very dangerous to work there then the area was closed due to the armed conflict making Firas lose his job. 

Firas didn’t hesitate to work in a different fields because he was the breadwinner of the house and can’t stay jobless so he started working as a salesperson with a percentage of profit.

During that period Firas got married to Riham Asfour and had their kids Tatiana and Carlos. Together, Firas and his wife were working to secure the basic living needs for their kids and his wife was also helping in taking care of Firas’s mother and sister while he was doing his best to work hard and handle the increasing costs of living.

Firas realized that improving his income was uneasy because he was working for other employers and he needed his own project so he applied for the Pick-up truck project depending on his sufficient experience and wide knowledge of the market and customers.

this project will enable him from buying products and goods which will reflect positively on his income and help in improving his living conditions. 

As a talented musician, George's career started in 2006, he was playing his favorite instrument “the Electric Keyboard” in various locations performing beautiful musical sets.

George had a great passion for music and wanted to deliver his music love to everyone believing that this is an important message in his life, so he took classes at many schools and started teaching music to children until 2014 when the situation deteriorated badly and the teaching income was very low compared to the increased living expenses.

As a result, George had to focus more on his work as a musician in order to be able to afford the living needs of his family but although he was a musician for a long time, George has never had the ability to purchase his own instrument and had to rent an electric keyboard every time he has a job.

He also had to pay half of his wage to the instrument owner in addition to being restricted in choosing times and places of work.

Thanks to Hope Center, George was supported to buy his own Electric Keyboard which added great value to his career as he is able now to take any job opportunity without having to share his income with anyone and that will definitely improve his financial condition and secure a better livelihood.

Samaan is 35, unmarried, and lives with his parents and his grandmother. He has three brothers; Alaa and Jalal are married and live separately while Bashar is in military service which made Samaan the breadwinner of the house and responsible for his parents and his sick granny.

Before the war, his family lived in the village of Al-Adeedah, his father was a blacksmith so after turning 15, he started to help him at the workshop and learned the profession, in 2008 he was called for military service and when the crises started in Syria he was obliged to stay as a reserved soldier until his discharge in 2019.

Those 10 years prevented Samaan from making any steps in his life or building anything for the future but he kept on practicing his profession whenever he had time during his service.

However, after being discharged from the service,he returned to his village and started working at several workshops but due to the lack of opportunities there he decided to move with his family and live in Damascus; Soon after, he got to know many contractors and started working with them, especially in setting the solar power bases but most of them didn’t give Samaan fair wages because he doesn’t have his own equipment which make it very difficult to get good income.

With the help of Hope Center, Samaan got the proper fund to establish his own blacksmithing workshop with all the tools and machines required to improve his work and enable him to increase his income and have better living conditions.

As a determined man, age was never an obstacle in Youssef’s life.

He was a hard-working employee for more than 23 years at a governmental institution then he retired and started to do freelance work, seeking one target in his life which is providing his kids with a safe and comfortable environment.

During the crises, the situation started to decline and his income became unstable so he decided to collect his savings and start a small stationary shop in the neighborhood to ensure a sustainable income.

However, this wise decision helped Youssef during the years of war to preserve his dignity and afford the living demands of his family, he wanted to improve his work by adding a printer and other tools but he couldn't because three years ago, his daughter Katia was diagnosed of having Multiple sclerosis which was devastating news for Youssef and his family.

Youssef tried to empower himself for the sake of his daughter to support her during her treatment journey but the pain attacks she suffered from were very tiring for him and his health also deteriorated.

However, that tough period affected Youssef’s work, as he spent most of his income on his daughter’s treatment which made his stationary shop poor in goods and equipment.

With the help of Hope Center, Youssef was supported to purchase a new printer and some equipment to improve his stationary work and secure a better income for his family.

Nabil Farhat, a shoemaker for more than 25 years, is originally from Lebanon, came to Syria in the late eighties, learned the profession of shoemaking, and decided to continue his life in this beloved country.

He got married and had three kids and was very known in his field as many factories were dealing with him due to his meticulous professional work and kind attitude with customers, he considered Syria as his homeland and was feeling grateful to this country who gave him all the good things in his life.

Even after the war, Nabil refused to go back to his country Lebanon and challenged all the difficult conditions and the lack of security and stayed in Syria with great faith that things will get better.

During the crisis, Nabil worked at several factories and workshops trying to secure the basic living needs for his family and supported his kids to continue their education, and was looking forward to teaching his son the profession of shoemaking.

However, in the past couple of years, the work market declined and the demand for well-made shoes decreased due to the high costs of production which made Nabil decide to start a home-based workshop using an old sewing machine and worked at his own expense but he faced many challenges from the lack of electricity to the frequent machine malfunctions that affected his craft and became unable to meet the customers’ demands.

Nabil was so passionate about his profession and was seeking a way to revive it so he sought help from Hope Center and was supported to purchase different kinds of sewing machines in addition to the batteries that will provide him with electricity in order to increase his production and help in bringing him back to the market with a competitive shoes’ quality which will improve his work and living condition.

Rabee has always been an expert at sewing, he had even owned his own workshop since 2003 in a small village, where he lived with his wife and three kids.

However, trouble came knocking at his door when an armed group attacked the area. Rabee and his family had to flee for their lives, leaving behind their rented small house and all their belongings, including his beloved sewing workshop.

Rabee had to start from scratch and find a way to provide for his family. He decided to move to Damascus, where he heard that it was a safer place to live. He went from one workshop to another, working as a laborer, to put food on the table and find a safe place to live, But he didn't give up on his dream of owning a sewing workshop again.

With the help of the micro project in Damascus, Rabee got all the tools and equipment he needed to start his own workshop again. He was grateful for the opportunity to recover his lost livelihood and finally earn a living for his family.

Rabee is now able to provide a better life for his family, thanks to his hard work and determination. He would never forget the hardships he and his family had faced, but he is proud that he persevered through it all.