Three little girls play house in the dirt behind their ger home on the edge of Ulaanbaatar. Although they have no toys they make do with rocks, laying out the foundation of their imaginary palace and talking in whispers among themselves.

Around them the impoverished district of Bayanzurkh sprawls haphazardly - a magnet for migrants who head to the city in search of a livelihood, or because they have no other choice.

This is the case for these girls and their father Tsagaanbaatar, whose life fell apart after the end of socialism in 1990.

Economic transition in Mongolia led to rapid privatisation and price inflation, and the 1990s saw widespread economic insecurity and rising inequality. The withdrawal of the Russian army left thousands jobless, including trained and qualified individuals who could no longer find work.

Migration to the capital boomed and Ulaanbaatar grew by 27 percent between 1990 and 2000. It is now twice the size it was originally planned for, bringing a host of physical, social and political risks.

Tsagaanbaatar is a good example of this urban migration. He is an experienced military engineer who has been unable to find engineering work since becoming redundant when Soviet troops withdrew after the collapse of socialism.

The employment vacuum that was left is exacerbated by resulting social challenges, creating a vicious circle of poverty.

Tsagaanbaatar decided to move to Ulaanbaatar in 2005 to rebuild his life. The family was homeless for a long time until they were given a place to live in by the local Red Cross.

Finding employment has been difficult. Tsagaanbaatar is discriminated against for being too old at 43, too poor (employers are reluctant to hire someone they think will not be able to pay for broken equipment) and for being a man (gender discrimination is rife in Mongolia and many employers are reluctant to hire men, presuming them alcoholics).

Certainly there is a huge problem with alcoholism among the male population, but discrimination like this means Tsagaanbaatar is unable to find work to support his children.

This family are beneficiaries of the Mongolian Red Cross' Social Care Programme that aims to improve the lives of the most vulnerable. It is not only about food and clothing aid, but finding lasting solutions to poverty through training and employment.

With the backing of the Red Cross, employers are more willing to give Tsagaanbaatar the chance he deserves to earn a small income to support his family and send his children to school. A volunteer, Dolgorma, visits the family regularly and is helping Tsagaanbaatar to find work where he can.

Dolgormaa watches the girls play in the dirt. She is like a mother to them. Whether by washing their hair or feeding their youthful fantasies, Dolgormaa allows them to feel like they have a childhood, letting their imagination and dreams flourish in the harshest of circumstances.

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