With the rise of unemployment and inflation rates, as well as the increase in the prices of basic needs, the percentage of families living below the poverty line and relying primarily on humanitarian aid has increased. Many young people find themselves unable to build a stable future under these harsh conditions.

In response to these challenges, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues to support the most vulnerable people by organizing vocational training courses that help participants enter the job market. In addition, MECC provided them with vocational kits as well as skills through business start-up courses, enabling them to establish small businesses that can become sources of income, rather than spending months or even years searching for suitable job opportunities.

In this context, the MECC Diakonia and Social Service Department, Syria’s Office, conducted a vocational training course on growing oyster mushrooms and another course on distilling medicinal herbs and flowers. A total of 30 participants, aged between 25 and 55, benefited from these courses.