The study intended to reveal the role of altruism for social reconstruction. The study aimed atrnanswering seven basic questions, namely: What does the upbringing/childhood experience of thernneedy people look like? What life-challenges did the needy people face before their exposure tornstreet life? What life-opportunities did the needy people experience before their exposure tornstreet life? How did the needy people start life on the street (immediate reasons for theirrnexposure to street life)? What were the major life crises the needy were facing on the street?rnWhat services do the needy people receive after being brought to the helping center? Whatrnpositive life changes do the needy people achieve within the helping center? Mekedonia helpingrncenter was selected as there are many elderly, bedridden, and mentally ill people receiving helprnin the center. The study employed qualitative research approach to answer the researchrnquestions. Since the study explores lived experiences of the needy, abandoned people in therncenter, Phenomenological, particularly interpretive hermeneutical method fits it. Ten needyrnpeople and one co-founder of the center were chosen for interview using purposive sampling.rnBesides interview, the study employed observation and document (audio-visual) analysisrnmethods to collect the data. Seven themes were determined in advance according to the researchrnquestions. Initial/open, axial, and selective coding types were conducted to condense thernvoluminous data (a total of 168 pages of verbatim-transcripts and 42 pages of field notes) andrnmade fit into the preconceived themes. The themes are incorporated into three broad clusters,rnnamely: pre-street-life experience, street-life experience, and life experience in helping-center.rnThematic analysis is the particular data analysis technique used in this study. Themes that havernactual and/or potential relationship with the overarching objective of the study are selected andrndiscussed. The study concludes that altruistic behavior plays a significant role in positivelyrnchanging life of the needy, abandoned people, and strengthening the social reconstructionrnendeavor. It is also found that altruistic behavior among members of a given society is helpful tornachieve social reconstruction by helping and enabling the needy, abandoned people to fulfillrntheir basic needs, to achieve their physical and/or mental well-being, and to revive from theirrnpsychosocial debilitation.rnKey words: altruism, social reconstruction, needy people, Mekedonia helping center