Their life and actions guarantee the safe existence of others. Thanks to their devotion and courage tens, hundreds, thousands of people were spared a terrible fate. Neither wars nor natural disasters nor terrorism can stop them. In Africa, Middle East, Latin America and other ends of the world they invest not only their time, resources and security but also the most valuable – their life – to make the world a better place to live.

For two years, pediatrician Amani Ballour was the administrator of the Cave, an underground hospital in Ghouta, Syria, helping hundreds of patients under constant bombings. In her quest to save others, she not only put her own life at risk, but also challenged the conservative norms of the patriarchal society she was raised in. In January 2020, Doctor Ballour was awarded the Raoul Wallenberg Prize for her humanitarian activity.

“What is happening in Syria started about 9 years ago, and the world has been watching all this time, and is still watching, doing nothing. It’s shameful in the 21^st century. Everyone can help. Every single thing is important. We should care about each other, about other human beings.”

These people live next to us. They are modern day heroes.