Talin’s first experience in sewing started back in 2009, working in the workshop of a local clothing brand. What Talin learnt in that year accumulated the tailoring skills she already had, and the mother of two was content with her stable life and work.

No one knew that war would fall upon the country and flip the life of people upside down. In 2012, Talin and her family were displaced from their lovely home because of the dangerous neighborhood. Just shortly after they did, the house was damaged by the falling shells and robbed off completely since it was deserted for more than 8 years.

Although the fighting ceased and Talin went back to her old house, but life was not the same anymore. Her two sons left to study abroad, Talin and her husband Minas both had lost their jobs, and their financial situation deteriorated to the point that they couldn’t even repair their broken rooftop.  

Today all that Talin wishes for is to reclaim her life back and compensate for her lost sewing machines (that were stolen during the war), as she needs them now more than ever to be able to work from home and help her husband with life expenses. The Micro Project support will have a positive impact on the family's life. 
 

The war changed many people's lives and affected their work greatly. Some lost their jobs, their shops, or were forced to change their careers just to be able to survive through the difficult economic conditions.

Droubi Al-Awad is the father of three lovely children and the only provider for his family. He is an electrical technician who specializes in home electricity. He made many clients due to the good reputation he has in his career that he started back in 2011. First, he worked as a warehouse guard between 2002 and 2007, but he had to leave his job when they closed. later in 2007, he invested in a café but it was also closed due to the war in 2011.

He thought the supermarket might be a suitable project during the war period, so he rented a supermarket for 3 years in addition to his work as an electrician. But the supermarket was destroyed by shelling. Not only that, the family was displaced when their home was hit by a shell in Al-Midan area, so they moved into a rented house after selling their damaged home. 

Now, Droubi's mother is living with them, and he is working in a rented shop jointly with his cousin, but he needs the equipment so he can develop his work and improve his life for a better livelihood for his family.

After eight years away from his home, living under the worst conditions on the fire lines in Jobar-Damascus, Edward came back to his family and hometown without any clue on how to go back to normal life after this long time.

Before going to Damascus, Edward was a hairdresser, he thought he could start from there, but after going through respiratory health problems from the use of hair products and chemicals he discovered that the long years of war and inhaling all the gunpowder when he was in the army has permanently damaged his lungs. Edward was back to square one searching for a new livelihood source. His family also were struggling to survive financially, their house was damaged and needed repairment after a shell fell on their roof and their resources were drained due to the repair costs and the general financial hardships. 

Edward saw that the only way he could be self-reliant and good provider is by having a taxi that will allow him to work hard and for long hours in order to make a stable income to eventually fulfill his dreams and build his future independently.

Majed’s workshop was located in Al Ramouse area where all the heavy machinery and vehicles workshops were found, and just like the people who owned workshops there, Majed lost everything suddenly. With the start of war Majed wasn’t able to go to his workshop anymore, and it was very challenging to lose his livelihood source of income with two children (Mariella and Antonio) to take care of. 

The 40-years-old man spared no means to bring bread to the table. Between 2012 and 2017 he worked in selling fuel, on a local electricity generator, a salesperson. The hardest thing however, was when Majed was recruited on his military service for around two years. When he came back after being discharged, he had one thing in mind, to rehabilitate his family’s long-owned workshop, that’s why he utilized all his savings to purchase a generator for the workshop.
But reviving his old business takes a lot more than his financial ability, the tools and equipment are very expensive and he can't afford it which made this ambition of his impossible. Purchasing the tools and equipment will facilitate his work and enable him to reintegrate in the business after all these years. 

Ebrahim gained experience by working in the sewing domain since 1996, at his brothers rented workshop for more than 20 years, but unfortunately, when Ebrahim's parents' house was destroyed, and his father passed away, the workshop closed in 2015, and the whole family moved to Latakia, where his brother established a sewing workshop with a partner, and Ebrahim worked for them as a supervisor.

But the livelihood became very expensive in Latakia, and Ebrahim was the only provider for the family, he came back to Aleppo with his family and lent his own house to secure at least their basic income. In April 2021, Ebrahim lost his mother after struggling with COVID19 when he couldn’t afford the medication costs.

Now he is planning to use his experience and rent the same workshop he used to work in, to improve the family's income and become a productive person, and since he has been through a lot in his life, Hope Center will do its best to alleviate his suffering and help him purchase the needed machines to start his micro project.

While the 28-years-old Fehmi spends his time in his daytime job of car-body retail shop, he has a different career ambition that he works on in the afternoons. It is a career inherited from his father a long time ago; it started back when he was still little and his father took him along whenever he had events to shoot. Fehmi became fond of the camera and the photography domain, and despite the fact that life forced him to take many different jobs to make a living, but his love for photography grew each and every day. However, being a photographer with a camera and proper gears is a very difficult road to walk through, specially with the economic crisis created by the Syrian war and the sanctions, which made it impossible for young people like Fehmi to be able to afford upgrading the tools by purchasing such expensive gear. 

Fehmi did not lose his hope nor his perseverance, he and his father were able to purchase a camera for their videography as a first step. In the meanwhile, Fehmi kept his day job as a source of income and at night he kept renting cameras from colleagues whenever he needed. The good news Fehmi received when he was told that he got approval for his micro project was very exciting! with the camera and the new lens, Fehmi will be able to establish a more promising business now that he have all the equipment to make their father-son work thrive. 

Despite his 30 years of experience in the metal discs manufacturing, the 58-years-old George shereiki had never owned his independent workshop. George entered this domain in 2002, in Al-Ramouseh industrial area where he used to work for a local workshop owner for more than 12 years, but when war came along, it brought destruction and loss to everyone’s life, George wasn’t an exception, his workplace was destroyed and for two years George became unemployed. After losing any hope of going back to Al-Ramouseh, George found another workshop near his house to work in, in order to provide for his family.

When George heard about the microprojects initiative, he found a new hope of independence has rekindled in his mind. The fund would mean that instead of working for someone, he would be able to purchase his own equipment, and his own lathing machine and create his independent business.

Being the sole provider for a family of five is a heavy burden, upon the shoulders of the 42-years-old, father of two Semaan who has always been a hard working machinist doing metal works and milling to secure his family’s livelihood.

Semaan started his career in the early nineties in Al-Arkoub working for a local workshop. The only time he was left jobless was twenty years later when the war reached Aleppo city and Al-Arkoub was one of the first areas to shut down due to the massive destruction. Semaan was devastated that the only work he could do was as a street vendor, he could not endure that situation for more than two years, eventually in 2014, he decided to go back to his original profession even if that meant to be an employee in someone else’s workshop. Specially that his losses were accumulating; in addition to losing his job and not having a good income from selling in the streets, Semaan’s house was hit with a mortar shell (2014) and he was forced to move-in with his mother. 

This project is a chance for this hardworking man to reclaim his independence, his ability to maintain a decent lifestyle for his family and it will give him the push he needs to put the efforts combined with the newly bought tools and machines to be the owner of a prosperous workshop.

The war couldn’t stop in front of the ambitious young Elias, who was working with his father in their silver crafting workshop, in their hometown; Idleb. He learned all about this profession from his father in addition to studying English literature and playing basketball, which unfortunately he had to quit due to a leg injury. 

After ten years in the silver crafting domain, Elias and his family were forced to flee their extremely dangerous city; which meant losing all their properties including their workshop. The family went to Hama, but Elias was trapped in Idleb and got kidnapped there. Eventually he was reunited with his family after a lot of agony and they settled in Aleppo.

Elias started working as a salesperson for silver Jewelry. When his father passed away, Elias felt responsible of his family and he wanted to change his financial status for the better. Thus, he decided to return to his old profession and open a new silver crafting workshop and use his skills again, specially that he has made good acquaintances from his job in sales. this support will be a second chance in reviving the skill he loves.

Al Raqqa is one of the cities in Syria that has gone through the worst conditions, many people were thinking of immigration and others were internally displaced across the country seeking safety and stability.

Razek, the father of Odile and Fattouh, sent his children to Aleppo and he stayed in Raqqa trying to protect his properties there, but because of the aggravation of the situation, he was forced to leave his home and his workshop and move to Aleppo without knowing whatever happened later.

In 2014, he started working again in the field of car maintenance and mechanics and he wanted to count on himself and be independent in his original career, in which he has more than 40 years of experience. With the Micro Projects support, Razek was able to bring all the tools and equipment needed to open a new workshop for cars mechanics.

A self-made man knows how to start from scratch, explore a new field of knowledge, and build a successful career. This hard and at the same time rewarding journey of Ghassan’s has started in 2006, when he lost his job in a retail company, it was a turning point. Ghassan started an internship in a filtration company with a dream of building his own business. It wasn’t easy, but for a man who has determination and perseverance, nothing was not impossible. Months later, Ghassan’s long visits to factories, hospitals and potential customers had finally paid off, his business was rolling, he was getting hired by local textile factories and olive mills in addition to detergent manufacturers. 

Unfortunately, what war have destroyed was way more that Ghassan could handle. He was exposed to life-threatening dangers while going on maintenance trips to factories outside the city. The facilities that he used to work with were closed or destroyed and eventually Ghassan’s company was closed. The need to provide the daily needs made Ghassan work as a janitor in a local church for long years just to be able to survive.

Despite the passing years, Ghassan has never forgot his old dream and never lost his enthusiasm to start over one more time with the support of Hope Center. He took the courageous step to buy filtration system parts and machines and spared no effort to make his second attempt a successful start for his new and thriving business. 

When Fadi’s house was hit with a destructive weapon, the 43-years-old man took his mother Dalal and moved to Tartous city, to escape the death and horror that was everywhere in Aleppo. 

Fadi has always worked in the clothes manufacturing business in one way or another, first in 2004, he entered the domain as a salesman then when he gained good experience in it and moved to Tartous where he opened his own retail shop. Slowly his work grew and he started shipping to other cities. His business required mobility, Fadi used to travel a lot, but one of his road trips became a nightmare when armed people attacked him and confiscated his car then took him hostage for a month, Fadi was set free after paying a ransom to his kidnappers. 

Fadi put his bad memories behind and started over in Aleppo in 2018, but since his only property that could be utilized for work needed a lot of rehabilitation, Fadi couldn't handle such a huge financial burden alone, he was very grateful for the Micro Project support that enabled him to purchase the sewing machines and all the tools needed to eventually be capable of producing his own fashion line “Julie” and this way his business will prosper in manufacturing and creating a thriving brand.   

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, Talaat's hopes blossomed anew. Now equipped with everything needed for a well-watered farm, he eagerly began planting potatoes and a variety of vegetables without worries. This stability not only transforms his farm but also holds the promise of changing his family's future, ensuring them a dignified life. 

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 the crucial equipment and water access. 

With no recourse, his farming activities were paused, casting shadows over his family's livelihood.

Yet, hope flickered in the form of the Micro Projects Program, where he sought aid to restore his dreams. He applied for a solar power and irrigation systems, envisioning a future where his land flourishes once more.

Amidst the olive trees and vegetable crops, Alaa's resilience bloomed. With the installation of solar panels and an efficient irrigation system, his land came to life. 

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 winter season.

Despite efforts to rent equipment, the high costs hindered the progress. His cultivation during the summer was limited to wheat, due to the water scarcity. 

Hope flickered when Fadi applied for the Micro Projects Program, through the program's intervention, he received vital irrigation equipment, transforming his agricultural prospects. Now, empowered by efficient water management, he became able to secure a dignified life for his loved ones. 

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 tend to his land effectively. 

Now, Sami cultivates his land with ease, saving costs and ensuring a bountiful harvest. The support has not only transformed his struggles into success but has also paved the way for a brighter future, promising his family a more prosperous and secure livelihood.

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 working until he was exposed to kidnapping by the armed groups, the three days he stayed in abduction shattered his stability so he relocated to Damascus to live with his family at his parents’ house.

With opportunities scarce, Khalaf found himself shuttling between different jobs: painting, construction, and even restaurant cleaning, he opted to do any available work to put food on the table but his situation was getting worse and the weight of responsibility pressed down harder in addition to having financial hardships, all of that led his marriage to collapse, as his wife took his daughter and moved to live at her parents’ house while he had to put his son at an orphanage.

Tears welled in Khalaf's eyes as he spoke of his kids, his dream of reuniting his fractured family stirred a deep resolve within him, making him apply for the pick-up car with one goal ahead, the reunion of his family.

The support that he gained from Hope Center isn't just about financial assistance; it symbolizes the promise of reunification, healing fractured bonds, and restoring Khalaf's family. 

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 through in Dubai, Samaan managed to preserve, handle his livelihood, and save for his future, then after several years of working hard, Samaan decided eventually to return to Syria and start a new chapter of his life. 

Unfortunately, upon his arrival, he had to endure the loss of his mother, brother, and sister, which left him heartbroken and in poor financial condition as he bore the burden of their medical expenses and funeral costs from his previous work savings. 

With the limited tools and resources, he had, Samaan was not able to start his own business; he had to work at other blacksmithing workshops to get income and afford his living expenses.

Samaan longed to become independent and have his own blacksmithing workshop, which was achieved after getting support from Hope Center to buy electricity generators and necessary equipment and machines.

Today, Samaan is so grateful because having this project marked a pivotal moment in his journey, enabling him to overcome his adversities, and lightening his path toward self-sufficiency and decent living.

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 also started to receive ovens maintenance orders. 

In 2010 Elias was called for military service and the war began shortly after he joined, so he was transferred to serve in Al-Hasakah Governorate until 2019, during which he went through difficult circumstances and faced many dangers. However, on his vacations, he used to return home and help his father in the workshop.

However, as a result of the significant increase in prices in addition to his mother’s battle with cancer and her treatment in Al-Biruni Hospital, their business deteriorated and the expenses became higher than the income forcing them to sell some of the equipment to cover the mother’s treatment expenses.

After Elias was discharged from service in 2019, he returned to work with his father, but the remaining equipment and materials were not enough to strengthen the work and have a proper income to cover the living expenses.

With the help of Hope Center, Elias was supported to purchase new machines to enable this intrepid young man to expand his work which will positively impact his living circumstances and help preserve the family's profession.

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 his father at the gas station, to secure his expenses and save some money for the future.

After his discharge from the service, Hanna embarked on a new journey in his life, as he started working as a taxi driver, with the money he saved from his previous work,  got engaged seeking to establish his own family but he was shocked by the huge burdens of living and his endeavors started to vanish.

Seeking assistance from Hope Center in Damascus, Hanna was granted support to purchase a taxi, which significantly improved his life. The newfound independence and stability brought by this taxi helped Hanna support his family and nurture his dreams.

Despite the challenges he faced, Hanna's story exemplifies the human spirit's ability to rise above adversity and create a better reality, one step at a time.

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 the challenges they faced.

Anastasia managed to overcome the obstacles by working long hours daily at a Salon in the neighborhood, but the income didn't cover the living expenses and she wanted to expand her work and customers which wasn’t possible with the tools she had, so she decided to apply at the Micro Project program to start her own project.

Supporting Anastasia with a make-up kit including all the necessary tools to start, was a turning point in her life because it enabled her to become independent and enhance her living condition.

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 as a taxi driver, hoping to secure a stable income for himself and support his family who was residing in Lebanon as his father was working at a small coffee kiosk, while his brother was working diligently at a snack restaurant. Yet, the harsh realities of life in Lebanon lingered, driving George to ensure his family's well-being by sending them vital medications each month.

full of faith, George applied for the pickup car project at Hope Center seeking financial stability and sustainable livelihood.

the support he got, didn't just offer George financial assistance; it restored his sense of purpose and dignity. It empowered him to support his family while carving his own path to self-reliance and success.

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 expenses and his daughter's university fees looming large, Murhaf had found himself dipping into his savings more frequently. Yet, he remained steadfast in his commitment to their well-being, he kept supporting them through thick and thin, especially during his son-in-law's military service, and had even exhausted his savings to ensure their living. 

Now retired, Murhaf sought to continue working, not just out of necessity and lack of income, but out of a desire to maintain his independence and dignity.

With limited options available due to his age and health, the support he received from the Hope Center to purchase his own taxi, was crucial in ensuring his family's financial stability and allowing them to live with dignity. Despite the challenges he faced, Murhaf remained resolute in his determination to provide for his loved ones, one ride at a time.

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 circumstances forced them to sell it and relocate. During that period, she graduated from the Faculty of Business Administration then she started working at Syriatel from 2016 to 2020 in marketing and sales. However, the income she got was barely enough to meet her own expenses without being able to provide for the house. Elein sought new horizons in the field of hairdressing and beauty care then she decided to travel to Lebanon in early 2022 seeking better opportunities but low salary and harsh conditions prompted her return after eight months.

Upon her return, Elein continued working as a freelance at various salons, often alongside her sister. She honed her skills through self-teaching leading to undeniable expertise in hairstyling.

With a vision for the future, Elein dreamed of opening her own salon, a joint venture with her sister, and with the help she got from Hope Center, this dream turned into reality.

Today, both sisters are determined to shoulder responsibilities and contribute to their family's expenses, facing life's challenges with unwavering resolve and great hopes.

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 help from a local charity for the life-saving oxygen machine. Additionally, during the conflict in Maaloula in 2013, his father was kidnapped along with their car, requiring a hefty ransom of money for the release.

Despite the challenges, Mufeed persevered, seeking employment after the closure of the cosmetic company. However, finding stable work was difficult, especially since he didn't have the chance to gain any experience or education degree during his 9 years of military service.

With support from Hope Center, Mufeed was able to purchase a taxi, which formed a fresh start for him, a pathway to financial independence, and a means to navigate life's challenges without relying on others.

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 find better income to match the increasing costs of living.

Soon after, he started working at an event planning office as a photographer and videographer, but at the same time he was dreaming of having his own equipment that would enable him to establish private work and develop his career.

With the help of Hope Center, Alaa was supported to purchase a camera which was a dream coming true for him as he is able now to have his own photography session, and at the same time add his own signature which will empower his name in the field and open the chance of developing his work and improving his living conditions.

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 adversity struck, so he relocated his shop to the Al-Dukhanieh area in Damascus, but the situation wasn't any better there as violent incidents and armed conflict took place in the area which resulted in the loss of his shop.

Undeterred, he adopted a novel approach, distributing goods via electric bicycles until 2019 when he was called again for the reserve service for three years before resuming the distribution of goods and biscuits, using his brother's electric bicycle.

Presently, Dhyaa toils in the morning as a warehouse worker, and by dusk, continues his work on a bicycle, aspiring to have a pick-up truck for efficient distribution, which would improve his income and release him from the hard morning work. 

considering this tapestry of trials and challenges, Dhyaa was supported by the Micro project program to purchase his own pick-up truck hoping to empower his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, improve his living conditions, and preserve his dignity.

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 began her journey offering her skills to the community. Her home, became her workplace, with a room dedicated to her craft.

The echoes of war that ravaged their area in subsequent years did not deter Karin. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, she persevered, balancing her career aspirations with the safety of her children so she started to work in a nearby childcare center for two years, ensuring stability for her family during tumultuous times.

As peace slowly returned to Dowella, Karin resumed her passion for beauty, working part-time at local salons but the low salary wasn’t worth the long hours she spent far from her kids. She yearned to establish her own beauty salon, equipped with nail and waxing services.

Having support from Hope Center to have her own salon not only empowered her to become financially independent, but also assured her that dreams can flourish, and lives can be transformed.