Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Help for the Children in Mongolia

Hi everybody - Belle here typing on Nadsicles' log in because she's left it open.

We're currently in Beijing, having made it all the way from London to Mongolia on our Chinese scoots. (Full story on our blog) but we can't access our blog or Facebook readily because the Chinese govt restricts them. So we've resorted to email and posting in the UK via my long suffering husband.

Anyway, as far as donating the money so generously given by Hubbers goes - mission accomplished, although in the best tradition of motorcycling travel, nothing went to plan. The kids mental hospital is no more, our contact buggered us about something chronic, doing everything she possibly could to obstruct us. But we persevered and when we realised that the Mental hospital was not doable, we took and executive decision to help another kids charity that we found, that was very similar and run by a lovely German woman called Ruth, rather than do nothing.

Essentially, Ruth takes in kids with all sorts of difficulties - no homes, orphans, psychological problems, mental handicaps, birth defects etc -and brings them up. Some of the kids will never live unsupported but others have successfully developed into independent adults with lives and jobs of their own. She helps about 34 kids at the moment and everything is run on limited funding, so your money will really help her help the kids. We were really taken aback by how stunned and grateful they were with your generosity, and what a difference it will make to them on an everyday level.

Both of us re confident that every penny will go to the kids and nothing will be spent on admin or other things that some charities seem to spend money on ( director's office refurbishment, conferences,lunches etc). We will be keeping in touch with Ruth and continuing to help her where we can, so if anybody feels the need to donate or wants to visit, please pm us and we will give you her contact details.

Just so you know how we spent the money - we bought some Chinese MP3/Ipod thing copies plus speakers, which is great especially for the kids with mental problems. Such items were out of their reach because they are luxuries and cash could not be spared. But that is sorted now.

Also we bought them a small camera. Their previous one had been nicked and there was no money to replace it. Ruth uses pictures to try and promote and prove to the Mongolian authorities what she does, and the kids use it in their education, particularly to develop their communication skills because language is frequently a problem, and pictures - as that old old song goes - paint 1000 words. The rest of the cash will go into the bank account and be fully accounted for.

And as a last bit from us - we donated the Chinese bike that I bought when my scoot died for the last time to them for them to sell, so that will net them about another £400.00 (600 euros).

Hope that is Ok with everybody - it seemed the right and best thing to do. Thanks very much for all your generousity and there will be a full report and pics in a few weeks when we get back to the UK.

love Belle and Nads :thumbup1: