Sheltering Syrian refugees dream of Surrey mom

When Azra Mann saw the heartbreaking image of tiny Alan Kurdi lifeless on a Turkish shore, she decided she had to do something to help Syrian refugees.

"Seeing the photo basically brought me to hysterical tears because my son had just turned two," said Mann.

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Her dream is to transform a 24-bed Serbian hostel into a shelter, providing clothing and food,for refugees passing throughher home country.

Mann left Serbia in 1999 during the conflict with Kosovo. Her home country has become a pit-stop for thousands of Syrian refugees, making their way to Europe to escape a civil war that left 250,000 dead and millions displaced since 2011.

By the time many of the daily influx of 900 to 2,000 refugees pass through Belgrade's train station, Mann says they have no money or supplies.

"Within the next couple of weeks it's going to start to get extremely, extremely cold, and with these people they basically have nothing, they have essentially the clothes on their back and nothing else."

Mann and three volunteers started a 30-day challenge to raise money to house and clothe these refugees, with partner Mannkind Charitable Society.

She plans to go personally to make sure the funds get where they are needed.

"Ifwe don't, the money will get eaten up before it reaches those who need it most," the group states on theirwebpage.

Mann travelled to Belgrade in late September to coordinate with the Serbian government and secure the hostel.

"It was a humbling experience," she said.

Within the next couple of weeks it's going to start to get extremely, extremely cold- Azra Mann

While there Mann and a group of Canadian volunteers served 375 lunches and distributed winter clothing.

She noticed desperation, but also respect.

"People were actually lining up and not just jumping to take the food...sothere was desperation,however, ...they were not at all trying to take advantage."

In the past month the project raised $17,000, which Mann says will run the shelter for five months. Any money raised until October5 will be matched by an anonymous donor, so she dreams now of expanding to 67 beds in the future.

Mann returns to Serbia in early October to open the shelter, and she hopes to give to as many people in need as possible.