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.