Ulaanbaatar
Heroes of a heroic city
The Mongol Messenger
Life at the yellow residence
Today, the inhabitants of Ulaanbaatar far exceed one million people. Soon enough, two million people will be living beneath the slopes of four mountains. In face of the harshness of life, not everyone can live prosperously. People face vexing issues and unimaginable challenges every day. Even after handling those impervious obstacles, fortune slays a man’s freedom of expression and progression. These people with all sorts of disabilities undoubtedly exist and some of them don’t even realize where they’re living.
According to statistics, 80 thousand people, which is 2.97 percent of the total population, are disabled in some way. Although the number is relatively low compared to previous years, these people suffer from serious issues in society. Public service, transportation, roads, buildings, accommodations and information for disabled people are far less in Mongolia. From the team at MONTSAME news agency, we present you the story of a humble family dedicated to reaching out a helping hand to the disabled.
Our reporters visited the address given to us by “Achlalt khuukhduud” (literal meaning: Caring Children) NGO. Mr. B.Sarantsetseg, founder of this caring house and his wife Ya.Boloroo received us with a heart-warming story. Starting their operation on April 8, the nursing home now has 6 caretakers and 24 patients.
B.Saranbaatar and Ya.Boloroo do not have the money, position or authority to look after others. They uses to live in a 2 bedroom apartment with their son S.Tselmeg and daughter S.Khuslen. However, they didn’t want to just sit still. They wanted to tend for people who were in desperate need of help. With pure kindness, the couple looked after two disabled people in their home. Once their apartment became too cramped, they decided to rent a bigger place. That was the start of a new life at “Achlalt khuukhduud” NGO.
Initiating the idea of a state-owned nursing facility
More than 20 people are being treated at the nursing home and most of them look as if though they’re in perfect health.
I first met with an elder B.Dugar. At age 63, the man was cheerful enough to say “I don’t have any real pain that I can name. I was healed and became just fine after coming here. I’m from the Berkhii mine in Khentii Aimag. The life of a single man with no relatives isn’t easy. I lost my home too. After getting in touch with this nursing home, I’ve reclaimed a wonderful family. Instead of physical pain, the mental stress was unbearable. But now I’m perfectly okay. Real happiness is having friends to talk to”.
Due to a lack of expressions, disabled people have trouble communicating or finding people to talk with. Without asking for any extra salaries, the nurses come on their free time and look after their patients as much as possible. As Mr. B.Saranbaatar mentioned, when one of the patients get depressed over their illness, the rest get depressed as well. Although the above-mentioned nursing house in the Bayanzurkh district was rented for 2 to 3 years by contract, the owner dismissed them after only a few months. The place was decorated and was readjusted for retail purposes. However, they were kicked out of their place during the harsh winter with over 20 patients. Ms. Ya.Boloroo serenely said “Well, I’d like to see that in a brighter way. One of our patients died from long-term illness while we were there. People tend to avoid paralyzed people. So they didn’t want us there. I can’t really blame them for anything. Everyone has different views and circumstances”. Carrying each patient to a two-story building, the life at the yellow residence started anew. The new owners support their deed. Even so, they were worried about the fact that they’re still just renting someone else’s place and not their own.
However, they shared their plan to build a nursing home for at least 100 patients this year. After conducting research and preparing blueprints, the final cost amounted to around MNT 500 million. The construction work is planned to start later this month and the initial payments are planned to be covered by selling their home. They were full of confidence when they hoped to live happily with their hundred family members in the new home.
Presently, orphans are left with nowhere to go when they reach age 18. They don’t have the ability or family to look after their self. Ms. Boloroo said “I’m very worried for those kids and where they go after they leave the orphanage”.
Lastly, Ms.Boloroo said “Let’s create a state-owned nursing facility for the disabled. My biggest wish is to make that happen”. However this wouldn’t be their final destination. Because, the goodness of kind people will never cease to end. They’re willing to create a nursing facility just so they can reach out to more people. Just like any other heroes, helping more people is their ultimate goal.
Today, the inhabitants of Ulaanbaatar far exceed one million people. Soon enough, two million people will be living beneath the slopes of four mountains. In face of the harshness of life, not everyone can live prosperously. People face vexing issues and unimaginable challenges every day. Even after handling those impervious obstacles, fortune slays a man’s freedom of expression and progression. These people with all sorts of disabilities undoubtedly exist and some of them don’t even realize where they’re living.
According to statistics, 80 thousand people, which is 2.97 percent of the total population, are disabled in some way. Although the number is relatively low compared to previous years, these people suffer from serious issues in society. Public service, transportation, roads, buildings, accommodations and information for disabled people are far less in Mongolia. From the team at MONTSAME news agency, we present you the story of a humble family dedicated to reaching out a helping hand to the disabled.
Our reporters visited the address given to us by “Achlalt khuukhduud” (literal meaning: Caring Children) NGO. Mr. B.Sarantsetseg, founder of this caring house and his wife Ya.Boloroo received us with a heart-warming story. Starting their operation on April 8, the nursing home now has 6 caretakers and 24 patients.
B.Saranbaatar and Ya.Boloroo do not have the money, position or authority to look after others. They uses to live in a 2 bedroom apartment with their son S.Tselmeg and daughter S.Khuslen. However, they didn’t want to just sit still. They wanted to tend for people who were in desperate need of help. With pure kindness, the couple looked after two disabled people in their home. Once their apartment became too cramped, they decided to rent a bigger place. That was the start of a new life at “Achlalt khuukhduud” NGO.
Initiating the idea of a state-owned nursing facility
More than 20 people are being treated at the nursing home and most of them look as if though they’re in perfect health.
I first met with an elder B.Dugar. At age 63, the man was cheerful enough to say “I don’t have any real pain that I can name. I was healed and became just fine after coming here. I’m from the Berkhii mine in Khentii Aimag. The life of a single man with no relatives isn’t easy. I lost my home too. After getting in touch with this nursing home, I’ve reclaimed a wonderful family. Instead of physical pain, the mental stress was unbearable. But now I’m perfectly okay. Real happiness is having friends to talk to”.
Due to a lack of expressions, disabled people have trouble communicating or finding people to talk with. Without asking for any extra salaries, the nurses come on their free time and look after their patients as much as possible. As Mr. B.Saranbaatar mentioned, when one of the patients get depressed over their illness, the rest get depressed as well. Although the above-mentioned nursing house in the Bayanzurkh district was rented for 2 to 3 years by contract, the owner dismissed them after only a few months. The place was decorated and was readjusted for retail purposes. However, they were kicked out of their place during the harsh winter with over 20 patients. Ms. Ya.Boloroo serenely said “Well, I’d like to see that in a brighter way. One of our patients died from long-term illness while we were there. People tend to avoid paralyzed people. So they didn’t want us there. I can’t really blame them for anything. Everyone has different views and circumstances”. Carrying each patient to a two-story building, the life at the yellow residence started anew. The new owners support their deed. Even so, they were worried about the fact that they’re still just renting someone else’s place and not their own.
However, they shared their plan to build a nursing home for at least 100 patients this year. After conducting research and preparing blueprints, the final cost amounted to around MNT 500 million. The construction work is planned to start later this month and the initial payments are planned to be covered by selling their home. They were full of confidence when they hoped to live happily with their hundred family members in the new home.
Presently, orphans are left with nowhere to go when they reach age 18. They don’t have the ability or family to look after their self. Ms. Boloroo said “I’m very worried for those kids and where they go after they leave the orphanage”.
Lastly, Ms.Boloroo said “Let’s create a state-owned nursing facility for the disabled. My biggest wish is to make that happen”. However this wouldn’t be their final destination. Because, the goodness of kind people will never cease to end. They’re willing to create a nursing facility just so they can reach out to more people. Just like any other heroes, helping more people is their ultimate goal.
B.Altankhuyag
The full article and interview with Ya.Boloroo originally appeared on the Mongol Messenger's issue No. 19 for May 12, 2017.
