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by Justin Douglass, Communications
In 1999, Tumenkhuslen became a World Vision sponsored child. At that time, her family was homeless and lived with her grandmother. Her father earned US$60 a month and was the breadwinner of the household.
“Since Tumenkhuslen has been sponsored she does not have 
Education is made possible for Tumenkhuslen through the sponsorship program |
bronchitis anymore,” said Hingbish her mother (Hingbish means ‘no one’. In the Buddhist culture such names are given to deter evil spirits).
Being sponsored through World Vision, Tumenkhuslen became eligible to receive a Ger (Mongolian round felt dwelling). Now, the family is living in their own home, in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Seven-year-old Tumenkhuslen has enough space to do her homework in the privacy of their home with no distractions.
Tumenkhuslen likes eating banshtai tsai (meat dumplings in milk tea) and potato salad. She likes playing with her doll, her favourite colour is white, and she has a fondness for rabbits. During her free time, Tumenkhuslen enjoys watching cartoons, making animal figures out of play dough and making puzzles.
She loves summer because it is warm, and she can play outdoors with her friends, or go swimming in the river. With friends she enjoys playing badminton and skipping rope. Even though summer is her favourite season, she likes to play in the snow and make snowballs and snowmen.
Tumenkhuslen helps with household chores by assisting her parents make dough and cut vegetables. She keeps her clothes clean and even helps with washing them.
”Tumenkhuslen, at times can be stubborn but she always finishes her homework and obeys her teacher,” Tumenkhuslen’s mother said.
The young girl was quick to reply, ”No, I’m not stubborn. I am cute,” and then turned her head up and looked away.
Sitting on her mother’s lap, Tumenkhuslen turned her hands inside out and said: ”I like to study.” She even sings to herself while doing her homework.
Child sponsorship has made it possible for Tumenkhuslen to go to school and now she can read and count. Asked how many friends she has? Tumenkhuslen took a moment to respond, then showed all her fingers, and with a big smile, she said: “I have ten friends.”
Tumenkhuslen believes that a happy family is if the two parents love each other. Her dream is to be a director of a company one day.
She a shy girl when she sees new faces but relaxes and talks openly once she’s comfortable.
Tumenkhuslen was fortunate to meet her sponsor who gave her a large teddy bear with ears like a rabbit. She said she liked receiving photos and letters from her sponsor.
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