Looking for a comfortable place to stay in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, we came across Lotus Guesthouse. The guesthouse is an initiative of the Lotus Children’s Centre. In 1993 the Australian yoga teacher Didi was travelling through Mongolia. She became aware of the many street children in UB. Didi talked and played with them, gave them food, medical help and let them sleep in the apartment she rented. The number of children grew fast and she found a bigger place to give all of them shelter. Didi started the Lotus Children’s Centre with support of the Australian government. The center grew the past ten years out to the most important shelter for orphan children in Mongolia.
Nowadays there are around seventy kids in the center. To gain money for food, clothes and to give the children education Didi started the guesthouse. All proceeds of the Lotus Guest House will directly benefit the children who are cared for by Lotus Children’s Centre. During the summer months many teenagers at the orphanage work at the guesthouse to improve their English, learn hospitality and gain some work experience.
Volunteering at Lotus Children’s Centre
Lotus employs just a small team of local staff, as they believe donations should be spent directly on the children. Therefore there are many ways in which volunteers can help, throughout the year. The greatest need for volunteers is in the summer months June to August during school vacations. Volunteers help out with a range of things from organizing activities and events for the children, to teaching extra-curricular classes such as sports or languages, to helping with cooking, maintenance, administration and fundraising. For more information, experiences from ex-volunteers and an application form check: http://lotusguest.com/mongolia-faq/volunteering/
The Guesthouse
The guesthouse has different spacious dormitories, a beautiful four person traditional Mongolian room, twin and double rooms and luxurious apartments. There are two well-equipped kitchens on each floor and enough modern sanitary fittings. Lotus operates some short tours using their links in the communities around Mongolia. During a tour it is possible to leave your big luggage at the hostel, so you can travel light into the mountains or desert. Forgot a warm sleeping back? You can rent one here! After every amazing trip we were just as happy to be back at our home base Lotus in the center of UB. The Guesthouse has a small team of friendly staff who are happy to help you anytime. Combined Lotus Guesthouse really felt like a home away from home.
Facilities: Wi-Fi – Lockers – Laundry facilities – Located in city centre – 24 hour desk – English speaking staff – Women friendly
Address: Chingeltei district, Baga toiruu street, Building-17, entrance-2, apartment-15, (Across from School #5)
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