Lotus Children's Center, Mongolia

Since 1988, Mongolia's transition to a modern, independent democratic state has been a difficult one. Severe economic poverty has affected the most vulnerable groups, leaving many children abandoned and forced to live on the streets. During harsh winter months, most resort to living in self-made manholes.

Responding to this dire condition of poverty, homelessness, and extreme weather conditions, the Lotus Children's Center was founded in 1995 to house children and support social service projects throughout the capital region of Ulaan Baatar. Overtime, the center has expanded into a complex of three buildings that provide shelter, food, and education for people ranging from infancy to adulthood.

Currently, the center serves 120 residents, which include children and single mothers. Cooked meals are daily served to children, pregnant mothers and elderly from the local community. Since 1997, the Lotus Kindergarten offers pre-school education to the resident children. A women's cooperative was also established to provide single mothers with home-based employment opportunities.

“One boy living on the streets of Marlagk, he came here, at first he was stealing, playing out like a street kid but now he goes to college and speaks English. He has a future.”

Lotus Children's Center Staffperson