2024 December

You are used to reading in our newsletters about the successes at Anna Home: children getting a chance at a dignified life, growing up, and learning a profession. Unfortunately, this time, we have very different news.

Batbayar

On Friday, November 29th, Batbayar went to play by the Kherlen River, which flows through Choibalsan, with his class. The teacher accompanied them. Three children ventured onto the ice, but it was not stable everywhere, and they fell through. Two children were rescued, but Batbayar was not. He disappeared under the ice. His body was searched for by the police and fire brigade for days, but they were unable to find him. Batbayar was 10 years old, six of which he spent living at Anna Home. His younger brother, Odsaikhan, aged 8, remains with us. Their parents lead a marginal existence in Ulaanbaatar due to mental and physical disabilities.

For Boldsaikhan, the “mothers,” and the children, the blow is immense. Together, they will do their best to process their grief. Saying goodbye to Batbayar is particularly hard now that a funeral is not possible.

Anna

A week earlier, on November 22nd, Anna Vos passed away. We knew each other from our student days in Leiden but lost contact for many years. In 2006, the internet facilitated a new, virtual meeting. At that time, I was living in Choibalsan, working with Boldsaikhan to find ways to help street children. From the Netherlands, she generously donated a significant amount, which allowed us to purchase and furnish a home. I then named that house after her. Anna lived to be 75 years old.

Maarten