As militants continue seizing territory in the Middle East, a Twin Cities nonprofit is aiding some of the most vulnerable victims of the conflict: children at refugee camps in Turkey.

Many children who have been helped are from the town of Kobani, which was nearly destroyed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). At the tent city near the Turkish border, volunteers from Lutheran Mideast Development are bringing art and theater to children who have little to smile about.

Each day, volunteers help children take camp throwaways — such as wire and scrap wood — and forge them into toys.

"The idea is that their lives also have been turned into 'refuse,' too, with no clothes, no home to stay in," said Matthew Hand, international director of Lutheran Mideast Development. "As they learn to make toys, they learn their lives also can be put together."

The nonprofit also runs a theater workshop. Explained Hand: "Many have lost family members, witnessed ISIS atrocities and had sisters and cousins taken as sex slaves. We find theater is a positive way to express what they're going through."

These are the latest projects of the nonprofit, formerly known as Lutheran Orient Mission Society, which has aided the Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq and Iran for 100 years.

It has built hospitals, schools and community centers, created small businesses for women, provided scholarships, earthquake relief and more. Said Hand: "Whenever war or a refugee situation breaks out, we are on the scene."

"We" typically means a crew of volunteers, often teachers and other professionals, from the region. The nonprofit has a paid staff of three, and prefers to take on shorter-term projects "and then leave it in the hands of the local community."

The group's administrative base is St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in West St. Paul. Pastor John Snider said it currently has six projects in the Middle East for women and children.

"Whether it's the little souls in the camp making toys, or the girls creating businesses, it's all about giving hope," he said.

Jean Hopfensperger • 612 673-4511