As one gets older, finding a job becomes harder than it already is! So, what would someone who had everything, and lost it in a blink of an eye do?
That is a question Mr. Kh R can answer.

Mr. Kh R is a 58-year-old man who was displaced along with his wife and family from Qalamoun, Fleitah.

He lost his house and workshop, and had to move to his in-law’s house in Jaramana, Rural Damascus.

After he knew of all the services provided by SSSSD from the ORV team, he went directly to the community center in Jaramana. There, he registered for a small project to sell electrical materials and tools. The project involved obtaining some tools and machinery that would enable him to carry out electrical repairs if requested.

Mr. Kh R underwent a training in Entrepreneurship, and was distinguished by his presence and active participation. His expertise was apparent when discussing electrical wiring, as well as other domains such as selling, buying and dealing with customers. He was then interviewed, and got the approval for his project, in the presence of the UNHCR Livelihood Officer and the Small Business Grants Programme Manager.

Upon a follow-up visit at the shop, the SSSD team was surprised to see that Mr. Kh R had bought some canned foods and cleaning tools, in order to expand the work and secure people’s needs at his neighbourhood.

During the visit, he said: “Ever since I opened this shop, I have been praying for you! I am receiving several extension workshops, as well as minor repairs occasionally. I also taught my wife how to sell and wrote down the items’ prices for her. As you can see, I bought some canned foods and cleaning tools in order to secure all my neighbourhood’s needs. I was also able to pay for my house’s rent. Most importantly, I stopped feeling like an old, incapable person not able to work or do anything.”

The feeling of incapability is more difficult incapability itself, as this horrible feeling prevents any person from practicing his daily routines. Therefore, one has to find himself, and constantly look for things that keep him an active member in society.

I left my home-town Jissreen with nothing but my family. Hence, I was a hopeless man…This was how Mr. H T began his story.

Mr. HT, a 39-year-old husband and father of a young daughter, left Jissreen with his family, only to find himself in a shelter. Once out, he found no other place to go to but his in-laws’ house in Jaramana, Rural Damascus.

From then on, he began searching for a job after he had lost his furniture upholstery and detailing workshop. He started working at a workshop, and helped in household expenses, including the rent, food, and supplies for his little girl.

Mr. H T’s wife, who used to attend Psychological Support Sessions at SSSD’s center and complain about her husband’s situation, introduced him to SSSD. Consequently, he was invited to SSSD’s center, and was referred to the Small Business Grants Programme by the Psychosocial Support case manager.
He underwent a training in Entrepreneurship, and symbolized the good, responsible, and perseverant human being. Once he was done with training, he was granted the project he presented.

Several months went by, and after several follow-up visits to his workshop, he told us that he had settled with his family in a separate house. He also told us that he had contracted with some engineers and was detailing furniture for restaurants and lounges.

“My life changed drastically! I went from being a hopeless man who had lost his workshop and house, to having my own workshop again. Now I am full of hope. I look forward to going back to my hometown, and rebuilding my destroyed house. My marital problems also came to an end after I was able to provide for my wife and daughter. Currently, I aspire to expand my workshop and increase my work.”
Thus, with his relentless pursuit of work and success, and with some financial support, Mr. H T changed his life radically in the most unexpected, unimaginable way.