"New Choice" Mongolian Children's Charity

It is now October and I am about half way through my placement here in Mongolia. For the time I have been here I have been staying in Ulaan Baatar with my wonderful host family, Chimge and her 10 year old daughter Zulaa. They have proved very kind and supportive in my time here, making sure I don't get lost, that I don't miss a meal and that I'm always happy. They speak good English too so I am never without someone to talk to. I stay with them in their flat which is always very clean, warm and comfortable to live in. My placement is at a school called 'Number 18 School' which is just 5 minutes walk from the flat. I work for between 4 and 6 hours a day from Monday to Friday, helping the Mongolian-English teachers to improve the students English skills. The children I teach are between about 7 and 17 year of age and are an absolute delight to work with, they are always eager to learn and communicate, so the classes are always fun! It is very hard to get bored in the city, there are so many museums, beautiful monasteries and temples to see as well as a vast number of restaurants, shops, pubs, clubs and karaoke bars. With my placement there are also opportunities to see some of the stunning countryside, organized by New Choice or the teachers at the school. Also working as a volunteer at the school has given me the opportunity to develop friendships with the Mongolian people and experience their fascinating culture and great hospitality. Volunteering in Mongolia has definitely been one of the best decisions of my life!

I really enjoyed working with the girls in the day care center. There were a lot of activities organized by the team and the coordinator for the girls (visit in the temple, museums, national park, cooking et.). I think this is very valuable for the girls. Otherwise they would not be able to participate in such activities at all. I also enjoyed staying with my great host family. Staying with them was like being at home. During the stay in U.B., I got a really good insight in the everyday life and problems of Mongolian people. It was very helpful to have a New Choice Officer(Chimgee) and my collegue Elisabeth from the USA at my site. They both were very nice and we shared a good time together. Chimgee explained me many things abouit life and customs as wel as language. In the begin, it was quite difficult to get used to the cyrilic letter, the street names, the language, the food etc. However, in the second week I got used to it. Now back home, I miss the wonderful girl in the day care center and hope that they will have a bright and good future. I also miss the spirit of Mongolia.