Lotus Children's Centre

Soon after her arrival in Mongolia, Didi recognized that there were many children in need of basic food and shelter. It was not long before children were coming to her apartment regularly to wash, rest and have a meal. Before long, it was clear that one apartment would not be an adequate space for all of the children in need.

With the help of several Mongolian volunteers and friends, Didi bought a site in Yarmag, a ger district approximately 10 kilometres outside of Ulaanbaatar. Yarmag has electricity, but no running water, homes are heated with coal through the cold winter season. Pit latrines are used, and sanitation is an ongoing concern. The Lotus Children's Centre was opened in 1995, with eight children and one building. The Centre grew very quickly and soon more space was needed.

Didi acquired two more sites. In 1998, a large house was built with funds from AusAid the Australian Government's overseas aid program, . This main building has room for approximately thirty children. It is a structure with high ceilings, plenty of light and room for an office, kitchen, washing area as well as play areas for the children. In the same year, on a second site one kilometre along the road, a kindergarten was established with funds arranged by AMURT (an Italian group) and from an anonymous donor.

The Centre's original site now operates as a soup kitchen, providing meals for disadvantaged people in the Yarmag community. The soup kitchen opened in June 2000, thanks again to an AusAid grant which provided funding for the first year.

Recently funds were obtained through HIPPO, the Dutch Embassy, and some individual donors to drill a well and build a bath house at the centre's main compund. The Centre is currently seeking additional funding to install the required plumbing for showers, a laundry and indoor washrooms.

The centre has a number of current and on going projects which require funding and or special skills in order to ensure their successful implementation. If you or your organization are in a position to help please donate.


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Lotus Children's Centre History >>		we rely entirely on your support please

A view of the main building in the Lotus Children's Centre's main compound. The building was constructed in 1998 with funds from Aus Aid.
Soon after her arrival in Mongolia, Didi recognized that there were many children in need of basic food and shelter. It was not long before children were coming to her apartment regularly to wash, rest and have a meal. Before long, it was clear that one apartment would not be an adequate space for all of the children in need. With the help of several Mongolian volunteers and friends, Didi bought a site in Yarmag, a ger district approximately 10 kilometres outside of Ulaanbaatar. Yarmag has electricity, but no running water, homes are heated with coal through the cold winter season. Pit latrines are used, and sanitation is an ongoing concern. The Lotus Children's Centre was opened in 1995, with eight children and one building. The Centre grew very quickly and soon more space was needed. Didi acquired two more sites. In 1998, a large house was built with funds from AusAid the Australian Government's overseas aid program, . This main building has room for approximately thirty children. It is a structure with high ceilings, plenty of light and room for an office, kitchen, washing area as well as play areas for the children. In the same year, on a second site one kilometre along the road, a kindergarten was established with funds arranged by AMURT (an Italian group) and from an anonymous donor. The Centre's original site now operates as a soup kitchen, providing meals for disadvantaged people in the Yarmag community. The soup kitchen opened in June 2000, thanks again to an AusAid grant which provided funding for the first year. Recently funds were obtained through HIPPO, the Dutch Embassy, and some individual donors to drill a well and build a bath house at the centre's main compund. The Centre is currently seeking additional funding to install the required plumbing for showers, a laundry and indoor washrooms. The centre has a number of current and on going projects which require funding and or special skills in order to ensure their successful implementation. If you or your organization are in a position to help please donate.