A volunteer group based in Kobe, Japan, is working to collect and donate secondhand ski equipment for orphans in Mongolia who are living in sewer systems mainly as a result of being abandoned by their parents who have lost their jobs, the group said Saturday.

New Mongolia ski area under construction
According to the Asia Africa Cooperation Environment Center, the initiative is part of its efforts to make the lives of the children easier and more enjoyable through skiing. It even hopes that an Olympic athlete may emerge from the group's efforts. A skiing area on the outskirts of the Mongolian capital is currently being constructed, mainly with the support of non-governmental organizations, but there is a shortage of skiing equipment.

At minus 30 sewers are the warmest place
About 4,000 orphans live in Ulan Bator's sewerage system after being abandoned when their parents lost their jobs as a result of market-oriented economic reforms. As temperatures drop as low as minus 30 C, the children seek refuge in the sewers, which are warmer because of the presence of hot-water pipes.

Yukitaka Uritani, ACEC director, said that immediately after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the Mongolian government came forward to offer its help. He said he is appealing to people who want to donate spare skiing equipment to the orphans. The ACEC added it is also soliciting monetary donations to cover transportation costs.

[Source: Japan Times]

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