Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, December 26, 2019
Photo: pravoslavie.kg
The Russian Church launched a new “Mercy Bus” on December 24, providing assistance to the homeless in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan.
The “Mercy Bus” project has existed in Bishkek for 6 years already, but the previous bus broke down and became unusable. Before taking off, the new bus was blessed by His Grace Bishop Daniel of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan, reports the site of the Bishkek Diocese.
Photo: pravoslavie.kg
On its first day of service, the bus visited two feeding points for the homeless and delivered food to two of the diocese’s wards.
The new bus, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, was purchased on December 2 with funds raised by the media and various organizations and individuals from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and even Germany. The bus cost about $14,000 (1 million Kyrgyzstani som).
Photo: pravoslavie.kg
The Synodal Department for Charity earlier reported that thanks to the new bus, more than 100 homeless people will receive hot food, clothing, medical care, and medicines.
A new “Mercy Bus” was also launched last month in St. Petersburg. According to the Synodal Charity Department, the Russian Church currently operates 12 such buses.
A new adapted apartment for the homeless will also be opened in Ekaterinburg by the end of the year, and new heating points for the homeless have already been opened in Astrakhan and Tyumen.
