Mr. E is a 28 years old man who has a physical need, and live with his mother, sister, wife and three children in Al Ashrafieh area.
To be responsible for supporting his mother, sister, wife and three children, tailoring was the best profession for him. His hand was disabled and he did not need to use both hands together. That did not last long anyways because the war hit everyone. He lost his job and his brother, who was always a support for him, and now he is responsible for his brother’s family too.
He was forced to work hard works that were not suitable with his handicapped hand, in order to provide his big family's live. During the preliminary evaluation visits of the volunteers of the Syrian society for Social Development in Al Ashrafieh area, the young man was identified and nominated for a small grant.
He applied for the project management course, and he was successful in terms of commitment, mental presence and the outputs that he reached at the end of the training. After the final interview, he was chosen to receive a small grant. He chose his old profession, tailoring, which the war had taken it away from him before.
The young man came back to establish his dream, when he bought the materials he asked for like sewing machines. He is now more able to cope with his difficulties and challenges after he rented a house that he made it a workshop to work in. Believing that tomorrow is better after he has a material resource, he does not have to move between different jobs and now is able to secure the needs of his young children and his family, which has better clothing and food for its members now.
The grant did not stop with Abdullah, he was able to provide jobs for his relatives by involving them in the sewing work on the machines to expand the circle of beneficiaries of the grant, now it includes a larger number and also contributed to meet the needs of the area of sewing.
"My disability was not a hurdle on my way, I overcame myself every time I tired," he said.

Strangers had the unity of a situation: displacement, escaping death, loss and suffering. The village of Um Arquila, in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, was the same as other villages in the same area who had suffered from all above.
Ms. R, 33 years old is a mother of five children, she moved away and then returned after 3 years to live in a mud room at her husband's relatives.
Ms. Kh, a 50-year-old woman. She has six daughters who, after her husband's death, returned to live in her mostly demolished home, working on a small fare to support herself and her children and keep them in school.
Ms. H, 40, has seven children, and lost her husband during the war.
This is the case of women who live in a simple rural society, their largest concern is their homes and their families. But, after their return, the village was no longer the one they used to live in. The people changed and the faces are different. The war ended, but it destroyed most of their homes and loved ones. The destruction of most homes and people is burdened by economic and social difficulties because of the arrival of new families who they do not know.
Mr. S, who is five decades, who lives with his 10 children and his wife. His neighbor, Mr. E lives with his wife and eleven children, two of whom have a disability who can cope, except with the presence of a breadwinner, which requires sufficient money for attention and care.
As part of its role in supporting the material resources, the Syrian Society for Social Development went to the eastern countryside of Aleppo where these and other people were monitored and nominated for a small grant. Taking into consideration the most needed ones. They were given a course in project management for three days and after the approval of the projects, which were about sheep keeping , in view of the nature of the pastoral area and its rapid material return, the beneficiaries received their own sheep and feed.
Day after day, the beneficiaries continue their projects carefully and take care of the sheep without any difficulties, because the region helps them to do so and because of their great knowledge in this area.
Beneficiaries are more able to secure their needs, take care of their children, bring them back to school, maintain their homes and keep their livelihoods and access to resources that will give them a new hope of a decent life.
The village also had its share of the projects. providing the people with sheep products, which is considered a main food after these products did not exist due to poor material conditions for all the villagers, which encouraged some people to return to their places of residence in the village.

Mrs. R S, an unemployed 37-year-old widow and mother of three (two daughters and one boy), lived with her family in Qatana, Damascus. The house she was living in wasn’t hers but rather rented as she couldn’t afford to own one.

Her husband died in Damascus during the unfortunate crisis, leaving her behind a heavy burden to carry since she was the sole breadwinner for her three children.

R.S fled along with her children to Tartous and lived in an unfinished and poorly equipped house in Bluzah village, Banias, as did thousands of displaced families. Suffering from her economic situation, she decided to improve their situation by finding a suitable job, but all her efforts went in vein.

Filled with despair, she felt that all the doors of life were closing and that there was no escape from her deteriorating situation, until she heard of the Syrian Society foe Social Development from an acquaintance who was one of SSSD’s beneficiaries. Since then, hope started reigniting again as she went to SSSD and enrolled for a small project, which was sheep raising. She truly believed in her project, especially after living in the suburbs. Once R S’s project was approved, she was filled with an indescribable joy.

Later on, R S took a 6-day course in project management at SSSD, which helped her stand on her own feet and run her project. Since she loved and chose the project, she had the perfect start. This was clearly reflected in her psychological state as well as her children’s situation. Her economic situation also began to improve gradually through selling wool, milk and other products from her project.

This was how R S’s life has changed drastically, where she became able to provide her family’s basic needs thanks to SSSD, which never hesitates to help and assist all those in need and affected by the crisis that struck our beloved country.

Mr. M A is a 56-year-old husband with two boys and two girls. He and his family were settled in Raqqa and worked there. During the crisis, one of his sons was injured severely in a mine explosion and had one of his legs amputated. The situation deteriorated in Raqqa, which led to his displacement with his family to Ltoun Marqab village in Banias, leaving behind all his life savings.

Like all internally displaced families, Mr. M A settled in a rental property. As all his children are in University, he was the sole breadwinner, but was unable to do anything because of his son’s injury.

He was spotted by one of SSSD’s outreach volunteers (ORV) and was then introduced to its services, which made him interested in registering for a small project (raising sheep) in the village he was in. Later on, he was enrolled in a 1-week project management course, where he learned about project success criteria and steps to be followed for a successful project.

His project was approved, which made him thrilled as he had faith in this project and believed it would help him rebuild his life. During the 6-month follow-up period, Mr. M.A was showing remarkable progress in his life and said: “The Syrian Society for Social Development has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to build my life all over again, and I should seize this great opportunity to improve my life and the life of my children.”

Days have passed, and Mr. M became the manager of his project as if he had been working in this profession for many years- selling, buying and spending money on his children’s education. Thanks to the project, he went from an unemployed man with his hands tied to an active member in society once again.

Mrs. A M is a 33-year-old widow with 6 children, one of whom has down’s syndrome. Her husband was martyred 5 years ago after his enrollment in the National Defense. The family is from Nassirah in Hassakeh and resides in its own property, which makes Mrs. A.M the sole breadwinner after her husband’s death. Right after the heartbreaking death, the family suffered direly from poverty due to the absence of a breadwinner.

This made Mrs. A M feel helpless because of how the society viewed her: a widowed woman with no one to support her. Consequently, she decided to support her family and search for a job, but was faced with psychological pressure from the way her community looked at her and viewed her. Even though she tried to overcome these barriers, she couldn’t find any job, which put her down and crushed her dreams of supporting her family.

Once she was spotted by one of SSSD’s outreach volunteers and her project was approved, that was her ray of hope in all the darkness surrounding her and the turning point in her life as well as her family’s. From that moment on her life changed drastically, as she started her own project (grocery) with both the financial and psychological support from SSSD. Also, she was offered a course that enables her to manage her own project. Thanks to the project, Mrs. A  M was able to provide the family’s basic needs and treatment to her ill child. Additionally, this project gave her a sense of stability since she became an independent woman and her life improved a lot.

“This project was truly lifechanging and made me feel more stable and comfortable because I was able to support my family. None of this would have been possible without SSSD’s efforts, and for that I am deeply grateful”, confirmed Mrs. A.M.

Since women suffer a lot in our society, especially divorcees and widows, all organizations and associations must provide help and support women, and that is exactly what SSSD embodied.

Mrs. S was predestined to become a widowed breadwinner for her 6 children at the age of 35. Her husband passed away because of the events that took place in Sheikh Ahmed village in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, leaving her burdened with greater responsibilities, especially in light of the many displacements she and her children had to go through until they finally settled in Assafira village.

During the Syrian Society for Social Development’s visit to the eastern countryside of Aleppo to support the returnees to these villages, Mrs. S was elected as one of the candidates for a grant within the Small Business Grants project to restore her lost livelihood.

After Mrs. S completed the project management course with total success in terms of attendance and full commitment, she chose to begin a project in sheep raising. The reason behind her choice was the revenue such a project would bring her, the thing which would support her and help her meet life’s basic needs. Also, her children would be able to go back to school once they are back to their village.

Undoubtedly, SSSD purchased and provided all the grant’s requirements.

The smile was too apparent on Mrs. S’s face after she received the grant. Through a follow-up visit, she talked about the difference that happened in her life and the lives of her children, the smile of hope that came back to her and her feeling that there are still people interested in her and other marginalized people. Her joy in securing her children’s needs such as school supplies, food and clothes, was overwhelming. She was also able to build a sheep barn, buy hay and extra fodder from the milk sale surplus.

Mrs. S is now considering expanding her project by selling rams, buying ewes and securing fodder to ensure that her sheep keep increasing.

The importance of the livelihood programme in Mrs. S’s life was crystal clear, especially after her life perspective changed with her five children’s return to school following three years of parting in midst of the crisis.  Her children’s situation could have lasted even more due to the dire financial situation she was living in.

Mr. Kh N is a 36-year-old married man with four children residing in Mjarjaa. He had many failed attempts to improve his family’s life because of his employers’ exploitation and greed, which put him down and crushed his modest dreams.

Once he was spotted by one of SSSD’s outreach volunteers, the spark of hope was reignited and his life was turned upside down when the project of his dreams was approved.

Thus, Mr. Kh’s journey towards achieving his dreams began. During his journey, SSSD supported him both financially and psychologically and subjected him to a project management course. Afterwards, his project, which was a satellite dish shop, was launched.

The project changed Mr. Kh and his family’s life course through the income it has brought them, as they were finally able provide for their basic needs. It has also brought them stability and changed their lives positively, which was confirmed by Mr. KH:” This project is a new beginning through which I can support my family and live independently.”

"Their Help was my Salvation" is the principle from which Mr. Kh embarked on and that SSSD embodied.

Mrs. L S is a 39-year-old woman married to a 40-year-old unemployed man, Mr. A H. Her husband used to work in Aleppo until an explosion at his workplace in early 2017 left him incapacitated as a result of his left leg’s amputation and right leg’s bone fractures. Consequently, he returned to his former residence in al-Zallou village and settled there with the help of his wife, but was unfortunately unable to provide for his three children due to his condition. He was also going through physical therapy for his fractured leg to prevent its calcification.

After one of Mrs. L S’s neighbors told her about SSSD and the services it provides to the local community and expatriates, she went there without hesitation. Once there, she met with one of the specialized staff and explained her family’s situation. She expressed her interest the small business grants (SBG) programme that SSSD offers to the most vulnerable groups in society.

Hence, Mrs. L S registered for a small project__ a grocery store__ since they have a small room in front of their room located on the village’s main street, which is suitable for such a project. Although she is originally very skilled at sewing, but she gave that up and chose to open a grocery store instead for the sake of her husband, who was unable to provide for his family and feeling completely helpless.

The SSSD welcomed Mrs. L S’s idea and enrolled her for a 6-day Small Business Management Course. Later on, her project was supported and the room she wanted was fully equipped with grocery-specific equipment and materials to be sold.

Once Mrs. L S’s project was launched, people close to the shop were thrilled by the shop as everything they needed could be found there and it was located at a very strategic place. Also, customers started going there because of the excellent customer service and reasonable prices.

Since most customers come at night, Mrs. L S started purchasing all she needs in the morning from the market and let her husband take over instead.  And so, the shop became lucrative and changed their lives both financially and psychologically, as she was able to provide her children’s school supplies without the help of anyone. The project has also had a great impact on their social life, since both Mrs. L S and her husband worked together and supported each other as one in face of life’s tough demands.

The biggest loss isn’t death, but rather what dies within us while we are still alive… Those were Maghout’s words to express pain greater than death itself. Maybe Mr. A was one of the people who related to these words, as he said that the pain of losing his job and house was much greater than death. He said that in that time, many things died in him: his impulsiveness, constant optimism and smile. He was more saddened to lose his job than his house.

Mr. A fled with his family of five from his hometown, Karam al-Jabal neighborhood, along with his two brothers and their families. Unfortunately, his brothers didn’t make it out alive. He was left with nothing. According to him, he left his home with his family with only what they were wearing. Other than taking away his brothers, house and job, the crisis deprived him of his son and caused him a leg injury that left him crippled.

Mr. A had to endure living outside his neighborhood for five long years. Once he got back to his neighborhood, home and work, he found nothing… His home was without furniture, and his butcher shop was stripped away from all its equipment. Mr. A said:” Believe me, I couldn’t even find ONE knife!!! There was absolutely nothing left!”

But all the darkness came to an end, when Mr. A was nominated for a small grant and then got it after attending the training course. The small grant which was offered by the Syrian Society for Social Development at Shams Community Center was a way for him to pull himself back up and return to work, whereby Mr. A was provided with the necessary equipment to start all over again (meat refrigerator, grinder, electronic scale, and aluminum table).

Mr. A began working three days after receiving the equipment. During his visit, he expressed his deep satisfaction and optimism about everything. This was clearly reflected by him saying: "Before I opened the shop, I was sleep-deprived and always worried. You know, now I can actually sleep again!"

Full of life, he started working again from morning till evening. His wounds from all the crisis’ loss and pain started healing.

Before he went back to work, all he did was sit in his empty shop, drink tea, and wait, not knowing what he was waiting for… perhaps he was waiting for Godot…

“I was waiting for a radish”, expressed Mr. A.

His income increased to thirty thousand SYP in the first month of work. This helped him secure the needs for his and his brothers’ families. Thus, hope knocked on his doors again. He did not fear what the future hides anymore, and expected an even higher increase in income from his work that will improve their life even more.

Apart from improving his situation, he served his neighborhood as well.

The life Mr. A once knew and lost seven years ago came back to him. He is back to being a butcher, and feels good about himself since he went from being a burden to an active member.

And so, hope returned to Mr. A’s life.

Mr. A is a 30-year-old married man with three kids, an elderly ill mother and a crippled brother. He was displaced from his home in Tariq al-Bab and lost his furniture workshop, which was his and his family’s main resource.  

Nevertheless, Mr. A didn’t give up, and tried working in several jobs that weren’t related to his main specialty. He was paid poorly, and could barely provide for his family.

Where he lived, Mr. A had a small coffee machine that he worked on in the bitter streets of Sha’ar, under the pouring rain and severe cold. He would rouse at 5 a.m. and work till the evening in a job he didn’t even like, and could barely afford something to eat. “I used to work in the streets till the evening; the hardest thing is to work in the streets”, he said.

Mr. A was spotted by the outreach volunteers in Sha’ar, and was nominated by SSSD for a training course on project management and writing a simplified economic feasibility within the Small Business Grants Programme. Afterwards, Mr. A was able to obtain the grant, and was provided with the necessary equipment to re-launch his previous work in furniture drilling.

Thus, he started to regain his work gradually and increase his income, which helped him pay all his debts, care for his family and secure their needs. Also, his smile came back to him, and he started taking care of himself and his appearance. Mr. A’s benefit didn’t stop at the SBG programme, whereby he enrolled his children at Shams Community Center to benefit from the programme, and his three children were followed up in the Mentoring Programme.

Not only did Mr. A benefit on the personal level, but he also became an active community member, as he participated in restoring damaged houses from the crisis in Sha’ar neighborhood and its surroundings.

The real change starts with individuals, and extends to whole communities. Mr. A’s story is a tangible example of the latter. Since new opportunities came knocking at Mr A’s doors, his smile didn’t leave his face anymore. His psychological sate improved, and was finally able to take care of himself and his family.