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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Al-Dwair village, a family of four lived together happily and didn’t know the meaning of loss until the cruel war began. The parents and their two sons lived on the bounties of their farmland and everything was going well. 

Today, George, the youngest son became his mother's only family after their life was turned upside down; his older brother Elias was kidnapped and since that day, unfortunately, no one heard from him! Their house was destroyed and they were displaced until the situation stabilized, they waited in hopes that Elias might return, and in 2020, George's father passed away leaving him and his mother alone, they are taking care of their land, which is planted with wheat, barley, and olive trees. 

When George finished studying at the faculty of law, he began practicing this profession with the help of a lawyer. However, during this period, he won't be able to generate an income and his father's land will be his only way for a living.

He applied to improve production and guarantee a decent income, although life was unfair with this family, George is doing his best to ensure his mother a dignified life, hoping for better days to come. 

Mttanos and Ranim, who got married in 2015, built their life together in Fairouza village. With two children, they settled in a rented house, far from the harrowing memories of Al-Qusayr, Mttanos' hometown, which had witnessed the horrors of war.

In 2011, he was called upon for nine years of mandatory military service, leaving his parents behind in Al-Qusayr. Their family's livelihood depended on their land, and their house was severely affected by the war.

When he was discharged in 2020, he lacked any professional experience. He found work as a driver at a carton factory in Fairouza, earning just enough to cover their basic needs. However, he looked for a way to secure a brighter future for his family.

Determined to improve their circumstances, he applied to the Micro Projects Program and succeeded in acquiring a mini pick-up truck. This vehicle not only enhanced his job at the carton factory but also paved the way for a promising tomorrow.

With this new opportunity, Mttanos and his family were on the path to stability, ensuring good living for their children. 

Living in Fairouza village with his wife Rita and their son Mikhail, Ibrahim has always been the provider for his family. However, his life took many turns before he found his passion in motorcycle repairing. 

After trying his skills in various professions, from restaurants to construction, his health issues forced him to seek a change. In 2012, he ventured to Lebanon in search of better opportunities, only to return in 2016 due to life's challenges there. It was then that he decided to become a self-taught motorcycle repairman, acquiring his skills through the internet.

With only some old equipment and the help of his son Mikhail, he set up his own workshop. To ensure a stable source of power, he relied on his brother's electric generator during power outages. 

When Ibrahim learned about the Micro Projects Program, he applied for essential equipment and an electric generator to secure his family's only means of livelihood. With the support he received, his small motorcycle repair workshop continued to thrive, providing a steady income and a better livelihood for his family.

In 2008, Thanaa's world was shattered when her beloved husband surrendered to cancer after a two-year battle. Yet, this was only the beginning of her struggle. When the war started in her hometown of Homs, her family faced great suffering. Their home in Bustan Al-Diwan neighborhood was not only stolen but also burned. The heartache intensified as her son was martyred, and it took two and a half months for his body to be returned to the family. All this weighed heavily on Thanaa, who had endured heart surgery and had a fragile heart.

Forced to seek refuge with relatives, she searched for stability in Homs. The local church stepped in to help her and her sons repair their damaged home, allowing them to return. Today, her son Rawad serves his mandatory military service, while her other son, Danny, suffers from a disc condition, as result of his tiring work in floor tiling. His condition barely allows him to work, further straining their financial situation.

Before the war, Thanaa and her husband ran a modest grocery shop, but it was forced to close its doors due to the conflict. Determined to regain her independence, she began preparing homemade food for sale. 

When she saw a poster about the Micro Projects Program, it rekindled a glimmer of hope in her heart. With unwavering determination, she gathered the necessary documents and a project study, and she swiftly applied.

Thanaa's vision is to open a mini-market, taking into account her age and her son's health. With this small shop, she hopes to create a sustainable income source for their family. This project not only promises financial independence but also the opportunity to have a dignified life.

Louay's life took an unexpected turn when a work-related injury ended his 20-year career in floor grinding and polishing. In 2020, he had to sell his equipment and started a small shop, selling frozen chicken, olives, pickles, and barbecue essentials. This was his new source of livelihood for his wife, three children, and his mother.

But adversity struck again when his shop's freezer broke down a year ago, and financial constraints prevented him from purchasing a new one. The electricity shortages left him without any alternative, as he couldn't afford an electric generator.

His hopes were rekindled when he learned about the Micro Projects Program. He saw it as an opportunity to revive his small business. He applied for assistance, requesting a new freezer, a solar power system, and a meat dicing machine to enhance his project.

With the support of the program, his shop was back in business, offering frozen goods, and fresh cuts of meat, with a reliable power source. He could once again provide for his family and continue to serve his community with the products they relied on. Louay's determination and the Micro Projects Program gave him a second chance to secure a better living for his loved ones. 

Bishara, the sole provider for his wife and three children in Fairouza village, faced daunting challenges when he moved from Al-Aalyat. He sold a part of his land in 2022 to start a new life in Fairouza, but encountered a severe water crisis due to post-war conditions in Homs and its villages. The water grid deteriorated, and strict rationing was applied, forcing families to purchase water for daily needs.

Despite his job as a government employee, Bishara's income fell short of his family's growing demands. He saw an opportunity to use his tractor and water tanker to sell water to his community during these tough times. There was one major obstacle; the worn-out tires of his tractor made it dangerous to operate, and replacing them was unaffordable.

He turned to the Micro Projects program, seeking assistance to purchase new tires and restore his vehicle. This simple yet vital support would enable him to provide for his family and offer help to others in need. 

Reem and Michel, along with their three children, have always called the peaceful village of Qattinah home. In 2016, she embarked on a journey to uplift her family's life. She transformed a humble room in their house into a small stationery shop, determined to provide support for her husband, Michel, whose work as a blacksmith offered limited opportunities.

Although her store was modest, lacking advanced equipment like printers and laptops, it stocked essential stationery supplies. Her dedication and hard work shone through as she sought to secure good living for her children.

Recognizing the importance of her efforts, she took a courageous step. She applied to the Micro Projects Program for assistance in obtaining the equipment her store needed and resupply its inventory. This support was not just about the shop; it was about safeguarding the lifeline of her family's livelihood and ensuring her children's dreams had a chance to flourish.

With the Micro Projects Program's help, Reem's small store blossomed, providing not only for her family but also offering great services to their entire village. 

Rober, a dedicated farmer, resided in the village of Ozeir. His land was a testament to his hard work, planted with wheat, barley, and an assortment of vegetables. However, a significant obstacle stood in his path; limited access to electricity, rendering his water pump useless.

He is a loving husband and father, residing with his wife, three children, and parents. While he ardently tended to his crops, his wife stood by his side, providing invaluable assistance in farming. Together, they dreamed of a bountiful harvest that would secure their family's future.

Driven by his passion and determination, he recognized the need for a solar power system to activate the dormant water pump, facilitating the irrigation of his land. Unfortunately, the financial burden of acquiring such a system seemed insurmountable, threatening to shatter their aspirations.

Faced with these challenges, he decided to seek support from the Micro Projects Program. Understanding the potential transformation that a solar power system could bring to his farm, he prepared his application, articulating his genuine need and unwavering commitment.

Months later, the anticipated moment arrived, and his project was selected. With the support he had received, he was finally able to purchase the solar power system that would harness the sun's energy, infusing life into his water pump.

The day the system was installed, hope radiated across Rober's face as he watched the water pump come to life, siphoning water from the well and revitalizing his land. The once-barren fields now thrived under the nourishing flow, promising a season of abundance and prosperity.

As the seasons pass, Rober's harvests will grow plentiful, enabling him to secure a better future for his children and ensure they receive a proper education.

With a passion for floral artistry dating back to 1998, Jawhar worked for various florists until 2012, when he realized his dream by opening his own shop in Al-Hamidia. However, the onset of war forced him to close his beloved shop. Undeterred, he reopened in Al-Arman later that year, only to face adversity again as half of his equipment became unusable.

Living as a single man with his mother, Jawhar faced the challenge of constantly needing to renew his decorating equipment. The soaring prices of artificial flowers, stands, and wooden decorations made it increasingly difficult to meet his customers' demands.

Fortune smiled upon him when a friend in the same field introduced him to the Micro Projects Program. With the program's support, Jawhar was able to acquire the latest decorating essentials. Now, he can provide his customers with fresh and unique designs, free from repetition. 

Labeeb's life took a tragic turn when war ravaged his neighborhood, Bab Al-Sebaa in Homs, leaving his family displaced and their home in ruins. A once working floor tiler, saw his livelihood crumble as his essential equipment was stolen, and he couldn't afford replacements. Undeterred, he borrowed tools to continue working, but the lack of electricity further complicated his situation.

For over two decades, his craft had been the cornerstone of his family's living, providing his wife and two beloved daughters with a dignified life. Despite the adversity they faced, he has always had hope for a fresh start.

That opportunity arrived when he applied to the Micro Projects Program. With the support, Labeeb aimed to regain the essential equipment and regain his independence. It was a chance to breathe life back into his beloved profession and secure a brighter future for his family in their rented apartment in Al-Adawia neighborhood. 

Bassam, a devoted husband and father in Fairouza village, has been working tirelessly as a floor tiler since 1995 to provide for his beloved family. His dedication to his craft is matched only by his love for his only child, who is now in the 4th grade.

Despite his hard work, he faced a daunting challenge recently; his essential equipment, particularly the electric generator, had become inadequate for his growing workload. Yet, with the weight of providing for his family's needs resting heavily on his shoulders, he found it impossible to secure the funds to upgrade his tools.

In his time of need, Bassam turned to the Micro Projects Program for assistance. He applied with hope in his heart, seeking support to acquire the new equipment, primarily the electric generator, that would not only enhance his productivity but also boost his income. 

With the help of this program, his dreams were soon realized. The new equipment transformed his work, allowing him to take on more projects and secure a better future for his family.

For more than nine years, Andrea Khoury worked in gold carving workshops, carrying out his work with precision and perfection for long hours daily trying his best to afford the basic demands of living.

Andrea lives with his parents and siblings in a rented house in Jaramana while he and his brother and sister are working and supporting each other to pass through the current circumstances especially since their father suffered from some health issues and had to undergo heart surgery while Andrea himself was also suffering from tendons cut of the hand that affected his ability to do hard work.

Andrea wanted to be independent and establish his own workshop so he applied to the Micro Project program with the idea of starting a small workshop in which he does engraving work, the last stage of goldsmiths’ manual engraving process, benefiting from his acquaintances in the market.

Considering his long experience in the field and commitment to his work and family, Andrea was supported with the necessary equipment and tools to start his own engraving workshop hoping that this project would enhance his living conditions.

Milia Daowd's story is one of love and determination. Despite facing adversity, she embodies strength and compassion, caring for her elderly mother and sick brother while navigating life's challenges as a divorced woman.

Born in 1968, Milia's journey took unexpected turns. she got divorced after a short period of her marriage to find herself as the sole provider for her family. With her father passing away and her mother dependent on her care, Milia's responsibilities grew heavier.

Her brothers, Maher and Hussam are abroad, though physically distant, remained pillars of support. Meanwhile, Samer, amidst his own struggles with schizophrenia, provided emotional support from afar.

Milia's passion for sewing became her lifeline. For 29 years, she honed her craft, working as both a seamstress and an art teacher until her retirement in 2022. Now, facing financial strain and her own physical limitations due to a hand injury, Milia decided to embark on a new journey – opening her own sewing workshop.

With unwavering determination, Milia sought to turn her skills into a sustainable business. Her dream was to not only provide for her family but also to create a safe space where her brother could find purpose and solace amid his illness.

She applied to the micro project for support to purchase two sewing machines aiming to specialize in crafting blankets and linens, a modest yet meaningful endeavor

Today after the fund, Milia stands strong, determined to weave a brighter future for her loved ones, one stitch at a time.

Being a chef’ specializing in sweets and special dishes is all that Colette desires as a career. She is 31, married and has a three-year-old son. She lives with her family in a small rented flat in Jaramana, where she also started her project.

In the beginning, Colette worked as a sales representative in a cosmetic company but in 2017 she decided to follow her passion for cooking so she started to make food and sweets at home using her small circle of relatives and friends to sell her dishes. Her work was so good that she became famous in the neighborhood and started to receive many orders.

Colette wanted to expand her project and receive more orders and had several ideas to add such as events planning and decorating in addition to making wedding cakes and party meals but the equipment she was using was old and not proper to handle such work especially that her oven wasn't working and she had no electricity.

at the same time, her husband's work wasn't good and their financial condition was deteriorating which made Colette project the only mean to overcome the financial difficulties. 

With the help of Hope Center, Colette was supported to renew her cooking equipment and have the necessary materials to expand her project, hoping that this skilled woman would be able to improve her job and have proper income to support her family.

A talented and determined man is the least that can be said to describe Samwel Skeif. He is in his fifties yet, he still has the will and strength to keep learning and investing in himself. He started at a very young age to support his parents with living demands and so he worked as a tailor assistant, but he was clever and skilled enough to learn the profession and start his own sewing workshop which he ran for years until the conditions worsened; his job was affected badly forcing him to sell the machines in order to afford his family’s living expenses then he started to work in drawing and manufacturing sewing templates for different factories. 

Learning has always been a passion for Samwel, and even though he couldn’t finish his schooling education, he didn’t hesitate to enroll in several life skills courses such as fashion design training - TOT courses - speed reading courses - body language courses - and neuro programming.

Samwel got hired as a trainer at a development institution for design and sewing courses and he was so excited to transfer his knowledge and talents to others.

However, with the increasing costs of living, he wasn't able to provide his family with a decent living and he was thriving to have his own sewing workshop with the idea of turning part of it into a training center for sewing and designing courses.

Today, after being supported to start his own project, Samwel is so grateful to have this opportunity that will enable him to fulfill his passion for work and teaching and at the same time increase his income and improve his living conditions. 

At the age of fifteen, Eva Alshehadeh started to work at a hairdressing salon to support her family, since then, she started to learn everything related to this career including hairdressing, makeup, and nail care which gave her good experience in the field. Her father was deceased and she was the supporter of her mother and siblings so she was doing her best to afford the living demands, challenging all the difficulties of work and her health condition as she was suffering from sideropenia which caused her several symptoms and continuous feeling of tiredness.

In 2019, with the help of the church, Eva underwent Glandectomy surgery and her health condition started to improve, unlike her financial condition as the salon she was working at was closed and she found herself jobless.

Eva didn’t accept being dependent on aids especially since she became the only supporter of her mother so she started to work at customers' houses, using her old inappropriate tools, and touring from one house to another to have an income and cover the basic living needs of her family.

After applying at the Micro project center, Eva feels delighted because she was supported to establish her own makeup and nailcare center which will be the means to have an independent source of living and improve her living conditions.

Somar Fallouh is 30 years old, lives with his parents and brother in Jaramana, Damascus suburbs and currently working as a salesman in a clothes store.

In 2014, Somar was called for military service in Aleppo and he served there for more than five years facing dangers and death daily because of the critical security condition of the city.

Despite the dangers, Somar worked after his duty as a taxi driver in order to afford his expenses and send money to his parents in Damascus; as his father was a cancer and heart patient and his mother was looking after him while his younger brother was still studying.

During the service, Somar was injured by three fragments then in 2021, he was discharged from the service and started working immediately as a taxi driver which wasn’t easy due to the high car rent, so he turned to other careers until he found a job as a salesman.

Somar spent long hours at the store trying his best to provide his family with a decent living, but that wasn't enough with the crazy increase in prices making people unable to buy clothes which affected his income majorly.

With the help of Hope Center, Somar was supported to find a taxi which was the only proper source of income that he can do to support himself and his family and secure a dignified life. 

Raghed Farah, 37 years old, is a self-made man who took responsibility for his family at a young age, and even through the nine years of military service, he kept working and covering the house expenses.

He used to live with his family in Al-zablatani area but during wartime, the area was targeted by daily shells in addition to the security incidents so they moved to Jaramana.

In 2011, he was called for military service until 2020 but his service was administrative so he worked after duty time as a mini-van driver, transporting students and employees. However, after his discharge from the service, he got employed as a warehouse keeper and was doing his best to afford the living demands of his family and his newborn baby, but the economic situation was very difficult, and despite all his efforts he was unable to afford his family’s livelihood.

However, Raghed fought for his family right of their simplest needs and sought support from the Micro Project Center in Damascus. 

Today, after being supported to buy his own Mini-van, Raghed is committed to work as hard as he can to improve his income and secure a decent living for his family. 

Although she is still 22, Valentina was overloaded with life calamities and had to hold the responsibility of her family and her younger sisters in addition to taking care of her sick and heartbroken mother.

Valentina was living in safety and security with her family while her mother and father were doing their best to provide the best living circumstances for their girls. 

In 2013, this reality changed into a nightmare as their father was a victim of snipping while he was driving his car to work and the criminals took his body and the car. His family didn’t just have to handle his death news but also they had to pay an amount of money to have his body and do a decent funeral for him.

After that incident, the mother’s health deteriorated so she quit her job to take care of her daughters while Valentina started to work during her study time to support her family.

She started doing makeup and nail care for her relatives and friends then in 2018 she enrolled in several courses to enhance her skills then she started to work in different beauty salons trying her best to afford the livelihood of her family.

With time passing, Valentina discovered that her work was so tiring, and with no proper income, she quit and started to work for a percentage of profits waiting for a chance to have her project.

With great faith, Valentina applied at the micro-project center for support and despite her young age, this strong-willed lady was supported with all the tools and materials necessary to start her project because after all those hard years she deserved to be independent and have a decent source of income to help her family.

With more than 40 years of experience, Riadh Al-zawahra, a loving husband and father of two daughters Nour and Niveen, was still working as a tailor at a sewing workshop in Jaramana.

He started to learn the career at the age of ten, the same age he started to work and support his family then when he became experienced enough, he implemented all the steps of sewing and many workshops dealt with him.

During his life, Riahd was able to establish a lovely family and support his daughters to finish their education and work but due to the difficult years of war and the deteriorating economic condition, he wasn’t able to establish his own workshop.

“ All i wish after those hard-working years is to settle down, be my own boss, and have the ability to increase my income”.

Riadh applied at the Micro projects center, and considering his long experience and need to improve his living conditions, his request was approved as he got the required support to establish his own sewing workshop with all hope that this project would be a turning point in his future life and will give him the independency he longed for.

Being a mother of three young kids never prevented Raheel from working and supporting her family to pass through the years of war, while still trying hard to support her husband during the deteriorating conditions.

Raheel is a determined lady who started working as a seamstress at a young age and even after she got married she kept working at her sewing workshop in Damascus, until 2014 when the security situation became critical so she moved with her family to live in Jaramana.

Despite all the dangers and the daily shelling over Jaramana, Raheel and her husband kept working together to secure the best living for their kids. Together, they started a small shop for sewing and renting dresses where she worked in designing and making the dresses and her husband supported her in dealing with customers and the finishing.

However, with time passing, the electricity condition worsened and the shop income was no longer enough to put food on the table, while her machines became too old to use for professional sewing. So her husband decided to work two jobs in order to meet the living demands but his salary was still not enough due to the high costs of living.

Now, after supporting Raheel with new sewing machines and an electricity resource, she restored the ability to increase her work and get a decent income good enough to secure her and her family with good living. 

The 37-year-old Mirna Al-Shehadeh is a talented saleswoman who has been in this field since 2015. She is married to Joseph Al-Essa and has three kids Patricia born in 2007, Nabil in 2010 and Angelina in 2015.

Her husband used to work in electricity maintenance, but during the years of war, his income declined making the family suffer financial hardships so Mirna decided to work and support her husband through these difficult circumstances.

After a while, Mirna found out that she was good in sales and the store owner assigned her to take charge of the work which made her a real supporter of her family and kids.

However, in the past years, her husband’s health deteriorated and he had to undergo heart surgery which affected his ability to work making Mirna the breadwinner of the family which wasn’t possible due to her low salary, but she refused to see her family in need and applied at the Hope center asking for support.

After being supported to have her women's clothes shop, Mirna said:

“Every day, when opening  my store’s door, I smile and feel thankful for this opportunity I was given, because now, I know that I am able to provide a decent living for my kids and secure a decent life for them.” 

A creative, hardworking, and determined woman is the least that can be said to describe Ramia Rezeq. This 41-year-old lady sacrificed most of her life years working to support her family.

Ramia started working in 2007 in a stationary store in Jaramana, because she always believed in being independent and responsible for her living, but when her family started to face financial hardships during the years of war she didn’t mind working harder to support them and together with her sisters they shared the responsibilities of taking care of their sick parents.

Ramia herself had also a critical health condition; as she suffered from disc herniation, dorsal, and cervical discs, in addition to a twisted vertebra but she tolerated all that pain and kept working to preserve her dignity.

In 2019, Ramia decided to follow her real passion in handicrafts so she decided to do handmade pieces and sell them which turned out to be really profitable, but her poor financial condition prevented her from expanding the project so she applied at the Hope Center asking for support.

During that period, her father’s health deteriorated and he needed a lot of care and costly medication which ended sorrowfully with his death. This great loss affected Ramia and her family, but she kept insisting on following her endeavors of having her own project which was achieved as she was supported to have her own handcraft project to allow her to prove her skills and have a sustainable source of income to enhance the family's situation.