Abed Ahmar (35 years old) lives with his wife Najla and their little son Adib in Al-Suleymanieh area, anyone who knows the area remembers how hard things were in the years between 2013-2015 on all the residents, and Abed’s family was not an exception. 

Their last night in their apartment was horrendous, on April 2015, the mortar shell attacks became intolerable, people were afraid of losing their lives or their loved ones. One night Abed started hearing usual explosion sounds, they were closer than ever, so his son who was less than two years old back then got scared, to make him feel safer, Abed remembers how he laid his son behind a stack of blankets, but the sounds were getting higher and closer… 

At the end the family spent the whole night in the bathroom, the living room windows were shattered by the deadly shrapnel. This was the last night in their house and since then they were displaced to Abed’s father’s house.

Meanwhile, regarding his livelihood things were more stable for Abed. The young man entered the field of mobile phones retail and maintenance business a long time ago in 2006, when mobile phones made a revolution into affordable technology. Through the years, he made a well-known name for himself. However, the economic crisis impacted him as much as anyone else in Aleppo, he was affected with the significant decrease of currency value and with the burdens of rehabilitating his damaged apartment, his ability to develop his business was limited. 

Now that the situation is better in the city, Abed’s family is growing; he and his wife are expecting a baby soon.

With the prosperity of his family, Abed wants for his business to thrive. With this support he will be able to expand his business, supply his shop with modern and up-to-date devices to keep up with the store reputation and status that he has been working hard on in the last years.       

The wide spread of technology, smart phones and portable computers, made the need for these devices’ maintenance services a necessity. Many people like Essam Ishak entered this field of work relying on the rapid development of this particular domain. At first (in 1991) when he started, mobile phones were the upcoming trend, he cultivated his skills in mobile maintenance, software and program installations, then with the internet availability the laptops were the next wave to catch if anyone like Essam wanted to be up to date in his business.

Things were good for Essam, he had his own shop and he had started a family with his wife Sossi, together they were blessed with two daughters; Joelle (14 years old) and Patricia (13 years old) but the war disturbed their peace and safety. First the economic depression had its toll on the business and on people’s luxuries, Essam had to sell his shop because of the financial hardships and rent a small room instead to store the supplies he had and use the space for work. But in 2016 things got worse, constant mortar shells hit Essam’s work place and he lost all the goods he had there. The family’s house was also damaged in the same unfortunate events since it was in the same neighborhood, but the house damage was minor and the family was luckily safe.

Today, Essam is still struggling to compensate for his losses, he had rented a shop near his house and is offering the same maintenance services he used to offer before, but since his financial resources are limited, his potential in increasing his capital and investing in new supplies are very weak, he really needs any kind of help and  support in order to overcome the obstacles that war put in his way, and recover his life as much possible.   

For 18 years, George Abd Almassih worked in the clothes sale business, the long years of experience made the 55-years-old man familiar with all aspects of the clothes manufacturing and distribution field. The recent years of war had its daunting impact on the industry but George had always been determined to defy the hardships and stay in the domain that he loves and chose to be in for approximately 2 decades. However, the economic restrictions were not the sole effect of war on George’s life. 

In 2015, a missile hit George’s house in Al-Seryan area which caused massive destruction and the injury of George’s leg; his injury was severe, the damage in his bones was irretrievable, surgeries were conducted and metal plates were installed to help the recovery process. For the six months following the surgery George relocated to the suburbs of Homs city (his wife’s hometown) while Aleppo was going through the toughest period during war.

Till this day the plates are George’s constant reminder of the challenges he went though. When he decided to move back to Aleppo, he found a severely damaged house that was in desperate need of rehabilitation, and while his medical bills were supported by the church and the hospital (since he was considered war-wounded), his house rehabilitation bills put a burden on his shoulders but he was able to repair it with the help of some supportive friends.

Despite all the hardships he faced, George did not abandon his job except for the six months after the surgery. But the difficulties were increasing by the day, making the expansion of his business an unrealistic idea, unless he finds the financial support that encourages him for a big step like that. 

That is why George was thinking about investing in more merchandise that he ships regularly from Damascus, in addition to entering the manufacturing domain, by purchasing the machinery and equipment needed to produce pieces in his own workshop. According to him the combination of the instant payoff of selling the imported merchandise and the good income from the manufacturing process on the long run will reduce the risks and ensure the financial success for George in his new career choice.  

For twelve years straight, Bashir used to drive Al-Enaya students to their school, but like every other person in Aleppo city his life was changed with the start of the war. 

The struggle of providing the fuel for cars and the bad situation of closed streets and unsafety of almost every single neighborhood, forced the 60-years-old Bashir to park his taxi and look for another job that would bring food to the table. In the same neighborhood where he lives in Al-Seryan street, they needed a bookkeeper or an accountant to organize the payments and expenses of the local electricity generator and Bashir seized that opportunity, it was near his house and since he is separated from his wife (who lives with his twin daughters in another apartment) he didn’t mind the long hours of work. The only thing that made him hesitant was his Asthma condition, which doesn’t get along with the polluted air of the generator, but his need for a job was urgent and he ended up accepting it. 

During this time his car was parked across the street used for storage more than driving, back then Bashir didn’t know how much of a loss would it be if something happened to his car until it did. In 2014, a mortar shell fell on the neighborhood, Bashir and a fellow worker were near the generator when the explosion filled the air with dust, and when it eventually settled, Bashir realized that his car was hit with the shell and ruined. It was a devastating incident for Bashir, since he knew that working for the generator owner wasn’t permanent and he was hoping that one day he will go back to his original work.

For the last two years, Bashir was working as an employee in a mini market with a low salary, that made him in need of his brother’s financial support. This recent job is not suitable for his age, neither is the salary sufficient to live a decent life and still help his family. 

That is the main reason that made Bashir apply to have a taxi, he wants to go back to his old profession, which was much better income-wise, and it is what he loved to do every day. 

Naeem Ahmar is 43 years old, together with wife Rima, the couple were blessed with their son George (7 years old). 

Naeem is a paperwork facilitator, he has been working in this domain since 2000, he first started with an office specialized in this field, but when the war started in 2011-2012, the office was closed down and Naeem worked independently since then. However, in this field of work a practicing license is required and Naeem didn’t have one, which made his work limited and reflected on his income. 

Away from work things weren’t much better; Naeem’s fifth floor house in Al-Midan was extremely dangerous, numerous shrapnel from shells penetrated their windows and doors, this situation forced Naeem to leave his home seeking safety in his old employer’s house. It was safer in that area; Rima didn’t have to run with her toddler and hide in the internal doorways every time she heard an explosion. At that time, they were desperate and losing hope by each passing day, the thought of leaving the country often crossed their minds, but leaving their parents was not possible which made them stay and endure all the hardships. 

Naeem and his wife who works as an accountant for a car-parts retail store, were struggling to survive and support their parents too. When Naeem's friend asked his help in driving his car for about a month, he discovered how well this job pays, specially if he utilizes all his acquaintances in delivering their goods. Naeem decided to apply for his project full of hope that it is a step to enable him provide a decent life for the two families. 

Things were difficult for the Michel’s family from the very beginning, when they started their married life during the war time.

Michel worked in the embroidery business since 1997 in Arkoub area, but sadly in 2012 he lost the workshop after the whole area was out of reach.

“I lost my house during the war in Sheikh Maksoud area in 2014, and also my workshop with all the equipment that was in the shop so I rented a machine for two years but the owner wanted to sell it.”

His wife Maria and their three children: George, Mariam and Mishleen struggled after being displaced and their whole life changed, George who is five-years-old has a disability since birth which was another hardship that they had to deal with on daily basis as his needs are a necessity.

Michel switched to work in the clothes industry for a while, but it wasn’t a stable source of income and the salary was very low, now he needs to improve his income and go back to work in the thing he loves the most, because he has a big experience in this business, this support will enable him to buy the embroidery machine required to get back to this job.

Hopefully it would be a chance to improve the family’s life and regain hope for their future.

Physiotherapy is a domain that requires both medical knowledge and physical strength combined.

Abdalla Afessa chose this field as his career since early age, in 2014, Abdalla entered the Medical institute to specialize in the physiotherapy department. A year later Abdalla started his professional journey working with Al-Ihsan benevolent organization in a mobile medical center; one of the first of its kind in Aleppo that offered physiotherapy for war-injured people, it was a unique experience for the 25-years-old Abdalla, he cultivated his skills and knowledge which helped him stand out workwise. 

Since 2015, Abdalla has been working for Al-Ihsan in several centers, his work was the only bright side in those dark years of war. Unlike his career, the whole situation in the city of Aleppo, especially in Al-Midan was getting worse and worse. His hometown “Al-Jdaideh” in the suburbs of Idleb city was struggling too; armed groups have entered the village and its surrounding and confiscated the land and houses of the original citizens like Abdalla’s and his family’s, for the last three years they heard nothing about their properties. 

Anyhow, Abdalla is now concentrating on the positive things, the things that he can improve, specially that he is now a newlywed, with his wife Marianna, the young couple are planning on starting a family soon. It is why being self-employed and financially independent is more important than ever. The only problem is that this job has unique equipment and machines that are necessary for some treatments; like ultra sounds and infrared devices. 

This equipment may be pricy but they are essential for Abdalla to continue on his own in his field of work. For the time being Abdalla will start implementing home therapy sessions for his clients, it will be profitable and productive for him, he aspires of success that he could eventually open his own therapy center one day.

Antoinette Al-Shahin and her husband George Kerbaj found themselves in an empty nest after their two boys left the country during the war; after finishing their university studies, the boys were struggling, Antoinette and George were also desperate to make sure that their precious sons get a better future as the war was slowly crawling into the lives of Syrian civilians. The only place they were able to send their kids to was Venezuela, in order to cover the travel expenses George sold his taxi, the family’s source of livelihood.

Losing that car had a huge impact on the financial status of the family, George had to find another way to provide but unfortunately his heart condition and overall health didn’t leave much of a choice for the 61-years-old man, Antoinette became the main provider of the house. During the war particularly at the start of it in Aleppo (around 2013) their house in Al-Suleymanieh area was damaged more than once, and although the church helped with most of the repairing costs, it was overwhelming to stay and relive the explosion moments that caused the destruction in the first place, so Antoinette and her husband relocated to Damascus; Antoinette’s hometown, her brother who used to own a women’s clothes shop started depending on his sister in the business, and slowly Antoinette acquired a ton of experience in sales, and got acquainted with many suppliers. This experience became extremely helpful after the couple moved back to Aleppo in 2018, since they rented a shop in the same neighborhood where they live and started selling women’s clothes for a living.

George now helps his wife in everything, he stays in the shop while she goes to make business deals with suppliers, or travels to Damascus to ship some merchandise. However, the constantly rising prices are making it harder for the couple to invest in more supplies or to spend on necessary storefront details maintenance. 

The help they are wishing to get for opening a clothes shop will be very useful; since the more variety of items they offer in the shop, the more customers they can satisfy and thus the wheel of business will run faster for the lovely couple. 

Sarkis Najarian (36 years old) used to work with his father in the family’s workshop for car maintenance, when the family business took a hit, Sarkis and his father financial stability was shaken strongly. In 2012, their workshop in Bustan Al-Basha (which they owned since 1999) was destroyed, all the material and supplies were stolen and the family lost their livelihood.

Two long years passed, in that period they remained without a job, living through the hardest times that Aleppo city had ever endured. Sarkis was displaced from his house in Al-Sheikh Taha when in 2013 armed groups entered the surrounding neighborhoods. However, as soon as the roads were partially open Sarkis took his family and his parents and moved to Mashta Al-Helou seeking safety. At first, they were thinking to stay for just a couple of weeks but those weeks soon turned into four years. Sarkis managed to work in Mashta Al-Helou in his same profession until the situation in Aleppo became more stabilized and it was time to come back. 

In 2019, Sarkis headed back to his hometown Aleppo with his wife Sarin and two daughters; Mayla (8 years old) and Christa (3 years old). He needed to start working again in order to provide for his family, and since his workshop was destroyed and stolen, Sarkis started looking for a proper place to rent and start over.

The constant relocation of his workshop had drained Sarkis’s financial resources, which made restarting in Aleppo much harder than it already is. But when he heard about the micro projects, he immediately knew it was what he exactly needs. The support will be to buy the tools, equipment, and supplies to launch his project and provide for his family.

The importance of having financial stability increased after Jimmy Drekha (30-years-old) got married on October 2019, he has his own family now and is responsible of providing for it.

Due to the ongoing war situation Jimmy and his family went through a lot, their residence was in Al-Suleymanieh an area where shells and missiles became a part of the daily life of the neighborhood’s residents. More than once the falling death shells caused damage to the doors and windows of their house, but the irreparable loss was the death of his father by a mortar shell that hit the street when the old man was about to go out of the building’s door. The family are still in grief and they are deeply hurting from this sudden tragedy. 

However, life always goes on and brings all kind of hardships with it, especially with the arising economic crisis related to the war in Syria. Thus, Jimmy shifted between many jobs. In 2010, he was working in masonry construction; a field that has stopped eventually with the progress of war. Then he found a part-time job in the church’s cemetery and has been working there since 2016. But, a job like this will never give Jimmy the opportunity to improve his life or even to think about having children, the modest salary of his work and his wife’s (who recently started working in Al-Woroud school) is barely enough for them to survive. 

The financial stability and being able to live a decent life is what made Jimmy consider applying for a taxi, after all, it is a job that is easy to learn and doesn’t require previous experience but it can give him the flexibility to keep his part-time job, Jimmy Drekha wants the opportunity to start his own project of having a taxi to be financially independent and obtain a new livelihood for him and his family.

People who come from villages like Yakubiyah and its surroundings, know about land loss and war agony more than we can even imagine, one of these people are Siroun Elias, with her husband Sembat and their three daughters; Nayiri, Talar and Nanar.

Siroun is a 43-years-old lady currently works in tailoring and embroidery in multiple local workshops to provide for her family, alongside her husband Sembat who works in a bolt’s manufacturing workshop. The couple have had some financial difficulties, when they first moved to Aleppo in order to pursue their careers, and also for the girl’s schools, they bought a house with a mortgage from the bank. All these expenses put a big burden on their shoulders.

The economic crisis made it nearly impossible to be able to pay the monthly installments, and they were threatened to lose their house. The Blue Maristes reached out and at the time helped the family to keep their house, but unfortunately with all the mortar shells falling in Al-Midan they had to leave their home temporarily and move out to a relative’s house near Al-Villat street. 

Since the majority of the family’s income was coming from the harvest of olive trees in their land in Yakubiyah, losing that land to armed groups had a major impact on their finances, not to mention the heartbreak of losing the thing you worked hard for many years to have. The need to improve their livelihood in order to cover their expenses and basic needs became a necessity, it is why Siroun took the decision to work by herself at all costs (her salary in the workshops in return for long hours wasn’t sufficient).

Through the long years of working in the tailoring field, Siroun gained tons of experience that qualified her to make her own business, and what will help her immensely is that her daughter Nayiri, who’s an architecture student, is blessed with great sketching talents and has an interest in helping her mother with creating the designs and implementing them.

Siroun has the willpower and the experience, along with her talented designer daughter to assist her in the work. All she needs is the financial help to buy the sewing machines and launch her project. 

Karim Ward is a craftsman that is specialized in customizing Aluminum doors, windows and all kinds of home items. He also is a father of three sons; Michael, Andre and Peter. The war not only brought destruction to their 5th floor house, but also torn apart his family when the twins had to leave their parents and younger brother and go to Lebanon couple of years after the start of the war. The family moved to a relative’s house. 

Karim is the sole provider, which put a lot of burdens on the man’s shoulders with the traveling expenses of his two sons and the huge medical bills of his wife’s knee treatments, in a time that Karim have lost a fair amount of his goods and supplies in the warehouses located in areas that have become out of control in 2012. That loss was huge on Karim and his brothers since they all work in the same field, and it obliged them to share a small workshop together to cut the costs and lower the expenses so they could put bread on their tables. 

Although the lack of space in the small shared workshop is a daily struggle, but it is not the only one; Karim was struggling to survive, pay his bills and rehabilitate his damaged house all from his hard work, but the shared machinery and the lack of financial resources wasn’t much of a help.

With the help of the Micro Projects program, Karim has the opportunity to improve his life. He applied to obtain the equipment that will upgrade his job, and a good quantity of supplies in whole sale prices, which will result in increasing the profits on the long run, thus, upgrading the life of the family on many levels.