In 2015, Yasmin Al Dabaan fled the war in Syria and settled just across the border in Turkey, in the town of Reyhanli. One day, the single mother and teacher saw a Syrian refugee girl searching through a trashcan for food. That image inspired Dabaan to set up the Active Child Center, a place where street children could come to feel safe. At the center, children get informal lessons every afternoon. Every Friday, Dabaan cooks them a big meal. Her small teaching salary funds most of the center, and the rest comes from private donations.
Ultimately, Dabaan would like to see all the children attend a proper school, but many families are unable to afford the fees. So, she also helps parents find jobs, which means their children no longer have to work on the streets to help support their families.