CNN Hero Mark Kabban pays his positive attitude forward helping refugee children adapt to life in the United States. CNN's article, "Soccer helping young refugees find footing in the US" interviews Mark Kabban about his work with children whose rights are at risk. As a refugee cas manager, Kabban has witnessed many children struggle to adapt to American culture. Although Kabban was not an official refugee himself, his family left Beirut during Lebanon's civil war. His family moved to San Diego when he was 9, so Kabban understands what the children are experiencing, "You lose a lot of your dignity when you become a refugee. You have to flee your country, depend on others. You lose your self-esteem."
YALLA (Youth And Leaders Living Actively), the non-profit program was started in 2009 by Kabban in the San Diego area. The program's intent is to help support young refugees by offering free soccer training as well a tuition to 200 boys and girls. When the children arrive in the United States, Kabban states, because of their experience"...they're years behind in education, and they're years behind in a different language, so the need is just immense. We're working to get them literate in English, getting them ... caught up." Kabban dedicates his time and energy into helping these children build relationships, confidence and 'can do' attitudes in a healthy and fun environment. He is indeed a hero.
