A place of shelter for vulnerable people

The goal of the House of Mercy is to reach out “to those who somehow feel at the margins of society”, Salesian Director Brother Andrew Tran Le Phuong said in his remarks to Pope Francis during the Holy Father’s visit to the centre in Ulaanbaatar on Monday, 4 September. The religious brother explained that the House of Mercy is “a home where all are welcome. Our hope”, he added, “is to create a place of shelter for vulnerable people, especially women and children, so that they can gather in a loving environment and feel valued, safe and at peace”. He also pointed out that “the home also functions as a first aid centre for the homeless”, and that the staff does its best “to support people in gaining access to what they need, be it regaining what is due to them or reconnecting with their families during hard times”. In fact, those in need are provided with free laundry and bathing facilities, basic food supplies and clothes. “Above all”, Brother Andrew said, “we make sure that there is always someone to talk to, someone who just sits and listens graciously to whomever comes and knocks at the door”.