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


715

Aleppo

717

Homs

333

Damascus

Ironsmith Workshop


Wael comes from the small village of Kfarbo, where life was easy and peaceful until the dark days descended upon Syria and Wael was called to serve in the military. He fought through a complete nightmare of injuries, sieges, and frontline battles for nine years. Thankfully, the year 2019 marked the end of Wael's suffering. Miraculously, Wael returned home safe and sound, only to find himself needing to rebuild his life from scratch as he moved from the village to...


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Pickup Truck


The 28-year-old Tony, known for his strong work ethic, has always been doing hardcore job. In 2014, Tony was called for military service, which lasted eight years. 

Upon returning home, Tony found limited opportunities, all of which offered very low income, making the transition to normal life difficult. After eight years in the military, Tony found himself without a clear profession to pursue or a specific goal to follow. He took on various jobs, working in mechanic shops and supermarkets, but struggled...


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Solar Power Installation Workshop


Elias is a hardworking father and the sole breadwinner for his family of three. While serving in the military, Elias faced a long battle with hepatitis, which led to him being exempted from his service. He began the treatment, which cost a lot, forcing him to sell everything he had to cover the expenses. The price of a single medication was a staggering 350 USD. Fortunately, after completing the treatment, he made a full recovery and regained his health.

Elias took...


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Taxi


Christo spent 7 years of his adolescence serving in the military during the ceaseless Syrian war, an experience that left him with an injured foot and unclear aim for his life. Earlier this year, the newlywed couple was finally able to tie the knot. However, Christo's happiness was overshadowed by financial issues. 

Coming from a big family, he felt marginalized working for his father’s grocery shop, earning a minimal income. With a new family to support, Christo wanted to be independent,...


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Suspension and Steering System Maintenance


George has experienced many ups and downs in his career, despite having 35 years of experience as a car suspension and steering mechanic; Unfortunately, during the war, George's workshop was stolen, along with all his equipment. To make matters worse, he was kidnapped and then released after a week. These traumatic events took a toll on him. 

Seeking a safer environment, George and his family fled to Latakia, which was more secure than Aleppo. Without a house or income in a...


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Car Maintenance


Ohans is a skilled car electrician who established his workshop in 2010. However, his newly established workshop didn't last long due to the Syrian war. The workshop was unfortunately located in an unsafe area and suffered significant damage, leaving Ohans with no choice but to sell his house, workshop, and all his belongings in order to survive. He then made the difficult decision to relocate to Lebanon in search of better opportunities.

Unfortunately, Ohans faced numerous challenges in Lebanon and struggled...


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Dental Clinic


Thomas Koussa, a young dentist who recently graduated, embarked on his dental journey after years of dedication and hard work. Each year at the university presented Thomas with new challenges. The cost of tuition was more than Thomas could bear, so he took on various part-time jobs, including working at a mini market, to finance his education. 

The Koussa family had faced numerous hardships during the Syrian civil war. Thomas's father lost his job, and their home was damaged by shelling....


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Taxi


Rimon found himself trapped in a low-paid job for 10 years, working at a gas station where he earns a mere $20 a month. This meager income makes it incredibly challenging for him and his wife to provide for their family. His wife, on the other hand, works as a teacher at a school, but her salary is not enough to cover their expenses. To make ends meet, they have to rely on financial aid from the church.  

During the...


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Tailoring Workshop


George, a 36 year-old passionate tailor, found himself facing numerous challenges in his pursuit of his craft. Initially, his former boss lent him sewing machines for a short period of time, allowing him to continue his work. However, despite his relentless efforts to secure financial assistance, he was unable to achieve independence.

George's friend offered to provide him with the money needed to purchase his own sewing machines. Grateful for the opportunity, George worked tirelessly for four years, hoping to repay...


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Olive Oil Bottling


Somar's journey unfolded as he embarked on the challenging path of military service, leaving his parents' hearts filled with worry for his well-being. However, after 3 years of dedicated service, he finally returned home safely, bringing a sense of relief and joy to his family. The severance payment he received was the first step for his Olive Oil supplier business.

Through market research and a deep understanding of the industry, Somar's business started flourishing and he achieved remarkable progress. However, to...


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Homemade Sweets and Pastries


Lilian Katerji began her career early, studying prosthodontics in university, but soon realized it wasn't her passion.

 Feeling trapped in a job that didn't align with her interests, she longed for a shift in her career. Lilian had always had a sweet tooth and discovered her talent for baking sweets, a skill she had learned from her aunt in Latakia. 

Finding joy in making sweets and bringing happiness to others, she decided to turn her talent into a source of income by...


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Taxi


After 4 years as a goldsmith, George's career was interrupted when he was called to serve in the military during the Syrian War. His service extended for eight years, and upon his return, George found himself unemployed and unable to resume his career due to the struggling state of the goldsmith business. 

To make matters worse, his wife encountered complications during childbirth, which forced her to leave her job. Determined to rebuild their lives, George set his sights on starting his...


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Vegetables and Potato Land


Talaat, a hardworking farmer from Qattinah village, faced adversity when thieves stole his irrigation network. This setback left his water pond and well, equipped with a pump, useless, limiting him to planting only wheat on his land. As a husband and father of two university students, he felt the weight of providing for his family. With the stolen irrigation system, he struggled to cultivate a variety of crops to improve their livelihood.

However, with the support of a new irrigation network,...


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Potato and Vegetables Land


Ammar, a devoted husband and father of three from Qattinah village, balances his roles as both a farmer and a modestly paid employee. His land, rich with vegetables, potatoes, and olive trees, sustains his family's livelihood.

However, the costly task of plowing and spraying his fields burdened him. Renting a tractor drained his finances until a turning point arrived with the acquisition of a mini-cultivator. 

This simple tool improved his farming routine, saving him the high expenses. Now, Ammar tends to his farming tasks with ease, knowing he can plow his land whenever necessary without financial strain. 

Vegetables Land


In Qattinah village, With Talal's dual role as an employee and farmer, and Laila's dedication as a teacher, they raised their two children while also caring for Talal's elderly parents, all under one roof.

As Talal approached retirement, his farm became his lifeline. But when the ravages of war stole his spray irrigation system, his livelihood was in danger; with a water well and pump, and a pond, the land was ready, but the loss threatened their sustenance. Each day became a struggle as he resorted to watering his crops with a spade, a laborious task that couldn't match the efficiency of the lost system.

Yet, hope flickered when the Micro Projects Program supported him with the needed irrigation system, offering a stability to his family's life.  

Olive and Vegetables Land


Alaa, a devoted family man from the village of Qattinah, faced the trials of sustaining his family through farming and seasonal fishing. 

He works in his father-in-law's land, entrusted with its care while his father-in-law traveled abroad. In this land there was a partnership between his father-in-law and someone else and this partnership had once thrived, when they equipped the land with essential irrigation tools.

In 2022, Alaa's world shattered as his father-in-law's partner sold their shared assets, leaving him deprived of...


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Wrapping Materials


Hala faced unforeseen challenges when her husband's health forced him to quit his carpentry profession after the couple's life took a tragic turn in 2013 when the car leasing office, where he had invested, was eaten up by flames. The devastating loss led to a heart attack, rendering him incapable of work.

Undeterred, Hala transformed a room in their home into a Wrapping Materials Shop, determined to secure a stable income. As the sole provider and a modest pension on the horizon, Hala's shop ensures a dignified living and financial stability after being through many hardships. 

Housewares Shop


Karima, a devoted wife and mother of two boys in Qattinah village, faced some challenges when she had to close her housewares shop in 2022 due to insufficient stock. Her husband, Yamen, works diligently at the phosphate plant, but their family needed additional support to thrive. 

With determination, she sought assistance from the Micro Projects Program to strengthen her shop and enhance their living conditions. As her sons pursue their education, she aims to provide them with a nurturing environment while supporting her husband's efforts. 

Through the program's aid, Karima's hard work shines as she strives to build a better future for her family, overcoming all the obstacles together. 

Wheat and Vegetables Land


In the village of Qattinah, Ghazwan and Sabah, hardworking parents of 2 sons, strive to provide for their family. With modest incomes, Ghazwan, hailing from a lineage of farmers, inherited his father's land. Yet, the lack of a water pump rendered the well useless, and the soaring costs of plowing drained their earnings.

But hope sprouted when assistance arrived. A newfound water pump revitalized their land, ensuring efficient irrigation. Additionally, the mini-cultivator promised enhanced productivity, paving the path for bountiful seasons ahead. With these tools in hand, he can nurture his land, securing a brighter future for his family.

Potatoes, Corn, & Wheat Land


Fadi is married with two children, he cherishes the simplicity of life alongside his aging parents. Enduring a two-year struggle with liver inflammation and diabetes, he found stability, embracing gratitude for his family and health.

Specialized in pastry making, a skill acquired in Lebanon, he operates a modest shop with his wife. He also works in farming with an arable land. He worked hard to enhance productivity year-round. However, lacking a water pump and motor hindered his ambition, limiting cultivation to...


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Olive and Almond Land


Sami, the head of a family of four in Qattinah village, struggled with the financial burden of farming. As both a dedicated employee and a farmer with olive and almond trees, he faced challenges plowing his land and providing essential treatments due to high equipment rental costs. Undeterred, he sought help from the Micro Projects Program.

He secured a mini-cultivator and a spraying pump. This invaluable support not only alleviated the strain of expensive tractor rentals but also empowered him to...


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Wheat and Vegetables Land


Majed, a hard-working farmer in Qattinah village, supports his wife and five children. His agricultural land, cultivated with wheat and vegetables, faced a crucial challenge; the worn-out irrigation system. With two water wells on his property equipped with the needed water pumps, insufficient irrigation network threatened his family's livelihood. 

He applied to the Micro Projects Program, as the sole breadwinner, his land is the family's lifeline. The program's assistance made a transformation in his land, renovating the irrigation system. His fields flourished, securing a bountiful harvest. Now, with improved conditions, Majed ensures a stable future for his family.

Coffee Shop


Mirna and Suleiman manage together a Coffee and Chocolate shop, which serves as their family's lifeline. Despite Mirna's role as a dedicated school teacher and Suleiman's commitment to his employment, their journey wasn’t easy. .

These tough circumstances led Mirna to seek assistance from the Micro Projects Program, because even with having a coffee grinder and freezer, the shop remained in need for goods due to the huge inflation.

 With the support, the shop's inventory was restored, ensuring shelves filled with delights. Now, with renewed optimism, they continue to serve their community, and ensure their three children a better living. 

Clothes Shop


Displaced from Homs in 2012, Rasha and Elie found safety in Fairouza village, rebuilding their lives from scratch. Elie is a carpenter while Rasha runs a clothing shop she opened back in 2015 and they are the parents of 2 lovely children. 

Rasha's once-thriving shop struggled to meet clients' demands, jeopardizing their stability. She turned to the Micro Projects Program, seeking a lifeline for her small business, the provided support was a beacon of hope for the family.

With the assistance, she revitalized her shop, stocking new styles, reclaiming her foothold in the market. Now, her shop sustains her family in Fairouza village, amidst the rubble of the tough past, the family is building a better future.

Pick-up Car


Khalaf Al-Bshara, 51, is married to Shireen Qabalan and lives in a humble house with his parents in Al-Tabbaleh neighborhood.

Despite being a skilled painter since 2003, life had not been kind to Khalaf.

At the beginning of the crisis, his painting work decreased so he started working on transferring vegetables and fruits between his village in Daraa and Damascus until the security conflicts reached the area and it was no longer safe, but he decided to challenge the situation and keep...


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Blacksmithing Workshop


Samaan Ashkar, a blacksmith whose life tells the tale of resilience against all odds.

From his humble beginnings in Kashkoul, Samaan started working as a blacksmith where he faced numerous challenges, including financial constraints and the loss of his beloved family members, but Samaan's spirit remained unbroken.

In 2003, he decided to relocate to Dubai and try his luck there, he worked in various capacities and experienced both triumphs and tribulations. However, with all the setbacks and financial strains that he went...


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Manufacturing Thermal Ovens


Elias Al-Ghabra is one of the minorities who are still interested in preserving the family profession as he began working in the field of manufacturing convection ovens with his father at a young age in a rental workshop in Jaramana and continued in the filed alongside his study.

The main field of work is manufacturing thermal ovens based on gas after the electric ovens stopped being demanded due to the terrible electricity situation in the country, their work increased and they...


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Taxi


Hanna Al-Ajoury 31, resides with his parents and brother Jack, their father, who was employed at the Gas station for 13 years but is currently without work. His brother works as an employee while their other brother, Marhaf, has relocated to Germany.

Before the war, he had worked at his cousin's beverage shop in Zabadani for two years until 2011 when he was called for military service for the next nine years. however, during his military service, he also worked alongside...


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Make-up Kit


Anastasia Haddad born in 1998, was working diligently as a makeup artist and nail technician, living with her sister Taj in a rented flat in Jaramana after the divorce of her parents as they found solace in each other's company, forming a bond of strength amidst adversity.

Anastasia and Taj's childhood was marked by tumultuous family complications leaving scars that only time could heal. Yet, their determination to carve a brighter future fueled their aspirations and their talents blossomed despite all...


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Pick-up car


George Eskeif, 33 is living alone in a sparsely furnished house in Jaramana while his heart remains tied to his family in Lebanon.

His family's relocation from Idlib to Damascus due to his father's health issues marked a turning point in their lives. George, then a student, saw himself shouldering the responsibility of their household while his father pursued medical treatment in Lebanon.

After completing his military service in 2019, George found himself with no education or experience, so he started working...


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Taxi


Murhaf Al-Maher 62, is married to Nada Sankari, and the father of two daughters and son. Despite his age and recent health issues, including lung inflammation, Murhaf remained determined to work. His dedication stemmed not just from financial necessity but from a sense of pride in providing for his family and with no hesitation he also supported his daughters; Souryana, while she was pursuing a medical degree, and Rima, who became a music teacher.

In recent years, with his wife's medical...


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Hairdressing Salon


Despite life's challenges, Elein Zghaib 28, remained steadfast in her pursuit of a better future. She lives with her family in Jaramana, her father is employed at the Ministry of Education, her mother tends to the household, and her sister, born in 2002, is skilled in nail care and beauty care. Their familial bond was a source of strength as they faced life's adversities together.

Before the crisis, Elein and her family were living in their ancestral home in Dweileh, but...


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Taxi


Mufeed Hejazy, 28, lives with his family in a rented house in Dwallaa. His household consisted of his parents, his elder brother, who works at a goldsmith workshop, and his unemployed sister. Mufeed himself had volunteered for a charitable project in 2020 then he worked at a cosmetic company for two years until it closed. 

Mufeed and his family faced numerous hardships during the crisis in Syria, including his father suffering with chronic bronchitis which was very costly so they sought...


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Photography Equipment


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

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


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Pick-up Truck


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

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


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Nail Care & Beauty Salon


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

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

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


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