Cut off by sharp mountains and the sweeping Gobi desert to the south Mongolia is an adventurers dream. The harsh yet mesmerising landscape and rich culture makes it one of the last places on earth that is a true test to the skill of survival. But there are realities that need to be faced – child labour, sex trafficking, street children and high alcohol levels are frequently overlooked by the media with the focus often on the countries growing but struggling economy and its mining resources.
Investments in infrastructure and a recent property boom, to house the growing number of people moving to the countries capital Ulan Bator, have brought much needed economic growth to the country. But poverty and alcohol addiction still plague much of the population. There is an overwhelming number of children abandoned by their parents.Over 4,000 children live on the streets, forced into child labour to survive often working as porters at the local markets loading or unloading goods. Forced underground, they live in the hot sewers to protect themselves from the unyielding winter weather where temperatures often drop below -40 degrees. Lack of education and an ignorance towards the situation has left many children vulnerable to alcohol addiction, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Some NGO’s have even claimed that the police are complicit in the trafficking of women and children over the border.
A 2006 survey carried out by Mongolia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that 22 percent of Mongolian men and 5 percent of women are dependent on alcohol, rates three times higher than in Europe. A dependency that has now been passed down to the next generation. Many children are abandoned by their parents or are abused because they themselves are dependent upon alcohol. The street children choose to drink to ease their problems, easily available and cheap it means they are able to get hold of it relatively easily.
Mongolian Children. Image credit: be.Media House
There is a great effort my many international and grass root NGO’s working to protect the children, offering them shelter and an education. One man, Brian Hunter is taking on a hugh personal challenge to further the work of NGO’s on the ground. He is currently running the length of Mongolia to raise awareness and support for Mongolia’s orphans and vulnerable children. Diagnosed with Polio at a young age Brian has had to overcome many personal challenges, but he refuses to let these define him. Abandoned by his father at the age of two and shocked by the number of abandoned children he could relate to, brian decided he needed to help.
Brian has already started his 1500 mile run across Mongolia, setting himself the challenge to complete his journey in 60 days – the equivalent of running 60 marathons in 60 days. As part of Brian’s challenge he is working with be.Media House (www.bemediahouse.com) to produce a documentary about his journey and how his accomplishements can change lives and improve the situation for Mongolia’s street children.
Brian running in Mongolia. Image credit: be.Media House
Brian’s progress is updated on his website www.strongtothefinish.com. His KickStarter page is currently raising funds that will go towards the production of the documentary about his journey and how it will help to raise awareness for Mongolia’s street children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP2Vpl0viSA
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