Homeless Shelter for children

Brother England (service missionary) with the boys at the shelter

     We were invited to tour the Police Homeless Shelter while we were in Mongolia. We had a some bags of used clothing and toys to donate. This shelter has helped over 25,000 children since it's opening. After Mongolia received independence in 1992 the economy crashed. Poverty was everywhere. Suddenly there were homeless children throughout Mongolia, and the country struggled to deal with the problem. 

     This wonderful shelter is supported by the government and the police. Homeless children are sought out on the streets by the police and brought here for food, shelter, and medical treatment. Then begins the process of trying to locate and reunite families. Some children come here by choice as their home situations are so bad because of poverty or abuse. It was wonderful to meet the people that work so hard to serve these disadvantaged children. I was very impressed with the shelter and the dedicated people that run it. 

We found out that a lot of Mongolians are superstitious about about donating their used clothing. They think that the clothes somehow form a link between themselves and the poor people wearing them. They believe that their "poorness" will rub off on them and will bring them misfortune. They burn their clothes instead. Luckily the poor don't mind receiving used clothing. Maybe they believe our good fortune will rub off on them. Unfortunately this means that there aren't second hand stores in Mongolia. They could sure use them!

We laid out the clothes on several tables by size and the children got to "go shopping." It was so much fun to watch them trying on clothes and picking what they liked. The administrators assured that everything would be gone by the end of the day.

This little boy (four or five years old) was brought to the shelter the day before. He was found wandering the streets. Most likely his parents or relatives were working, and he went outside to explore or find food. At least that is what I hope. They will try to find where this sweet boy belongs, but he is able to stay here in the meantime. He found a sweater he liked. 

I held up the clothes and he nodded "yes" or "no." 

Most things he took eagerly.

Most of the children were boys. The shelter tries to provide activities that teach skills so that hopefully someday these children will find a way to live and work and stay off the streets. It is unbelievable to me how any person can actually survive on the streets in Mongolia with its harsh climate. Tawny used to write letters when she was a missionary in Mongolia telling us about the homeless children who were trying to survive in the sewers. It was enough to break your heart.

I saw that poverty is Mongolia is very different than poverty in the USA. 

Ogie was helping again. She is wonderful.

Trying out some mittens

He got a Zsu Zsu Pet and loved it. We enjoyed watching him chase that thing around the room. 

This boy came out with his new too-small pajama and a clown hat. Everyone laughed, and he was enjoying entertaining us. 

The Englands, Thompsons, Bucks, and Farmer daughters get a picture with the kids.

There were a couple of teenage girls who lived there permanently and were getting training on how to cut hair. Tawny offered to let them practice on her hair, (she is so sweet) but there was no time for that. The shelter has to put bars on the window of the girls' room to protect them from predators who want them back on the streets. Wow.

The Cook

She was so friendly and sweet.