Beyond Survival: The Transformation of a Craftsman

Hassan finds joy in his workshop—it's more than just a workplace; it's a part of him. January 2025, Azaz, Syria ©Obaida Altarraf Welthungerhilfe
On a gray morning in an unforgiving winter, Hassan sat in the corner of his small workshop in Azaz, staring at the empty concrete floor in front of him. He had always loved his craft of epoxy flooring, seeing in every surface a reflection of hope and in every color a symbol of his ever-changing life. But he knew that passion alone was not enough. The work was tough, and the tools he had were barely sufficient for the simplest projects. Moreover, he lacked the skills to market his work or manage his business effectively.
Hassan was no stranger to hardship. Born in Eastern Ghouta, he spent his childhood in its alleys before war forced him to flee to Idlib. There, he tried to start over but couldn’t find the right opportunity, so he moved to Turkey, where he continued working in epoxy flooring. He hoped to finally find stability, but fate had other plans. In a single moment, everything collapsed. The devastating earthquake struck southern Turkey, destroying his workplace. Suddenly, Hassan found himself without a job, without a source of income, and with no choice but to return to Syria—where at least a glimmer of hope remained.
But the challenges were not only professional. Hassan was a father and a guardian, not just to his own children but also to his late brother’s daughter, who had survived the chemical massacre. The little girl’s sorrowful eyes held more pain than his heart could bear. He couldn’t let her down, nor could he fail his children, whom he dreamed of providing with an education.

Pouring the epoxy into the dental mold, forming realistic teeth once set.
January 2025, Azaz, Syria ©Obaida Altarraf Welthungerhilfe.

He settled in Azaz, knowing that starting over from scratch would not be easy. He tried every possible way to rebuild his life, but he needed support. “In the times of desperation and hopelessness, WHH has launched its ‘KARAMA project’ funded by the European Union (EU), which would relieve his burden thanks to the Business Grants program.”
The initiative aimed to assist small business owners financially and professionally. Hassan received $1,200 as financial support for his business, along with $300 to cover his family’s urgent needs. This was the fresh start he desperately needed. With modern equipment and high-quality materials—such as a small grinder, handheld battery drill, polishing grinder, silicone repair kit, and anatomical dental model—he could now deliver more professional work and attract more customers.
But the support wasn’t just financial. As part of the project, Hassan underwent entrepreneurship training, something he hadn’t realized the importance of until he started applying it. He learned how to market his business, interact with customers professionally, manage finances, and conduct weekly and monthly inventory checks. These skills helped him accurately assess his profits and losses and strategically plan for business expansion.
With this newfound knowledge, Hassan didn’t limit himself to flooring. He ventured into manufacturing medical molds for prosthetic devices, such as dental models and skeletal structures, leveraging his expertise to create educational samples for university students. His business expanded, and he began collaborating with shops near Free Aleppo University in Azaz, where demand for his products grew. He found new customers among university students and educational laboratories.
"I never expected this success," Hassan said as he examined one of his newly crafted medical molds. "As soon as I learned how to market my business, demand for my products grew, and I started attracting customers from places I never thought possible."
Hassan was no longer working aimlessly; he was managing his business with confidence. He was no longer just a worker trying to make ends meet—he had become an independent entrepreneur making strategic decisions to ensure his business’s continuity. Finally, he could enroll his children in school and kindergarten, giving them the opportunity he never had. Today, he dreams of expanding his work and is even planning to move his business to his hometown in Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus.


A display of high-quality handcrafted products in the workshop.
January 2025, Azaz, Syria ©Obaida Altarraf Welthungerhilfe

With gratitude in his eyes, Hassan said:
"What makes the 'Karama' project unique is that it doesn’t just provide temporary aid—it offers a sustainable opportunity for many people to rebuild their lives. I no longer have to worry every day about putting food on the table; instead, I focus on growing my business and securing my children's future. This project didn’t just give me money; it gave me hope."
At the end of his day, Hassan stood before a freshly coated floor. The light reflected off its smooth surface, and he smiled. It wasn’t just another project—it was

"At last, I am no longer just a man searching for an opportunity—I am a man creating it with my own hands."