The Scars of Abuse

Scars and slashes mark Nandin's arm. They are the 11-year old girl's testimony to a life on the streets. Scarification has become a ritual among street children in Mongolia. In an environment where older kids make the rules, the younger ones are beaten and have their arms slashed for infringements such as not collecting enough money or food. This is the law of the urban jungle.

Nearly 4,000 children live on the streets in Mongolia. They range in age from five to 18-year olds. Some live on the streets on a daily basis. Others live there temporarily or from time-to-time. And then there are those who live on the streets permanently. They are called "lifers" and have been on the street since the early 1990s when the collapsing social welfare system stopped providing support to families in need. Although the vast majority of street kids-particularly lifers-are boys, girls are not exempt. Nandin is a lifer.

Nandin's Story

Nandin has been living on the streets since she was barely five. She tells her story with a rebellious air, fiercely loyal to the group with whom she shares, food, work and warmth during the frigid winters in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. "Before I lived with my family, but they beat me and sent me to an orphanage," she explains. "Then the lady in the orphanage beat me too." Nandin's cavalier attitude does not hide her look of sorrow. She dreams of adoption by a "rich family," but with every passing year, she has another reason to lose hope.

On the street, she is often "slashed" with shards of glass by the older boys for not collecting enough food or for disobeying rules. The deep slits are a badge of honor for being defiant and enduring harsh punishment. Apart from the slashing, Nandin faces other dangers like prostitution and malnutrition. She feels she has few options but to stay where she is, possibly well into young adulthood like the other "lifers" who lead their own gangs and even have kids of their own in the manholes.

What's Next for Nandin?

There is hope, even for the "lifers" who have little chance of being reunited with their families. National and international organizations are working with the Mongolian government to help street kids. They run shelters and try to reintegrate the children into mainstream society through education and vocational training. Many have also set up drop-in centers that provide street kids with a hot meal and place to wash.

For Nandin the future looks bleak. Perhaps, she will escape from the streets through one of these programs. She is hopeful that her situation will change for the better, but in the meantime, she lives a dangerous, precarious life in the manhole.

How Can You Help?

Every child has the right to grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. Yet due to varying circumstances, mainly poverty, millions of street children around the world are denied this right. Find out how you can help street kids in Mongolia and worldwide by learning more about and supporting the various international and national organizations working to help street kids.

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and organizations, such as Save the Children, World Vision, the Lotus Children's Center, and the Christina Nobel Children's Foundation help kids get off the streets. They operate facilities and programs that offer shelter, education, vocational and life skills training. They also help with the best solution, which is to reunite children with their families and offer support to parents. These organizations also address the immediate needs of children who remain on the street through drop-in centers that provide hot meals, washing facilities and essential material necessities.