Here's how they tell their own stories:
My name is Battulga and I am twenty-six years old. I arrived at the Don Bosco Centre in 2005, after living on the street for two years. It was a terrible experience: I faced many difficulties, I was even beaten on several occasions by other street kids.
I am very grateful that God sent me someone who took me to the Don Bosco Centre. I stopped having to face the cold, the hunger and the difficulties of street life. We learned how to plant vegetables, feed livestock, and perform other practical tasks. After the first year of high school, I went to the Don Bosco technical school to study hydraulics. During my on-the-job training I worked with one of the largest companies in the city, which was so satisfied with my work that it offered me a job.
During my time at the centre, from 2005 to 2014, I learned a lot about discipline, work ethics, punctuality and also... about cooking. I liked to cook and often prepared meals for the kids on the weekend - now I'm a professional cook. Sometimes I think that, if I had gone to another centre I would not have fully realised the value of life, as I learned to do at Don Bosco! I hope that many more young people will have the same opportunities that I had.
My name is Yanjinpagam. I am a sewing teacher at the Don Bosco school. At age 5 my health worsened, my back began to round and lose mobility, my legs became paralysed; I was unable to speak and stand. I spent 7 years in bed; then at the age of 12, thanks to an operation, I partially recovered the use of my legs, and at 12 years of age I finally went to school for the first time; at the Don Bosco secondary and technical school. After graduation I was very worried because of my disability. I didn't know which company would hire me.
However, to my great surprise, the director of the school approached me and asked me to become a laboratory assistant with a great salary. I was overcome with joy. Subsequently, I was offered a scholarship to study fashion design at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. I worked and studied at the same time. To this day, I work as a sewing teacher and help my family. My life has changed for the better. I was truly blessed. Unfortunately, my back got worse due to osteoporosis and the lowering of my spine. However, I am deeply grateful to God and Don Bosco for giving me the opportunity to change my life. Thank you to all the benefactors who generously supported the work of the Salesians in Mongolia.
My name is Usukhbayar. I arrived at the Don Bosco Technical Institute and Assistance Centre in 2017. A Salesian from Darkhan introduced me to the care centre after noticing that I had some family problems: my father had recently died and my mother had to take care of me and all my siblings – nine in total.
When I arrived, I was homesick. Now that Don Bosco is my home, I want to stay here. If I have a problem, the Salesian missionaries help me solve it: they are kind and welcoming. I always feel supported by them.
I currently study automotive mechanics, but this does not mean that I will necessarily repair cars in the future: this course trains me in work discipline and self-management, as well as providing me with technical skills for my future life. I want to study at university: right now I am deciding whether to enrol in the degree program in tourism management or if I want to deepen my knowledge of automotive mechanics with Engineering. I would like to thank the Salesians for their support over all these years, and I know that many people also need help. Thank you for the many opportunities that I have had and that I am sure I will still have.
For more information, visit: www.missionidonbosco.org
