Description

Mongolia is a fascinating destination to spend time volunteering with orphans and children and adults with special needs. High levels of unemployment over a protracted period of time have left much of the Mongolian population living below the poverty line. Many families struggle just to get by and, especially in the capital Ulaanbaatar, it is quite common to see children who have been abandoned. These kids live their lives on the streets and even, during the coldest months, under them, in the sewers and heating vents. You may remember seeing this in a recent documentary - Long Way Round - starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

The children in Mongolia's orphanages might therefore be seen as the lucky ones, but these institutions are often desperately overstretched and sometimes cannot offer even the most basic resources to the children in their care. Staff all too often simply doesn't have the time to provide the individual love and attention that all children require. This is where you can help when you volunteer on a Mongolian Care project.

Care volunteers in Mongolia work to relieve the workload of the local staff, while also adding to the children's quality of life in many different ways. You do not require any qualifications to volunteer and you do not need to have had previous experience. If you have energy, enthusiasm and compassion then it does not matter whether you are 17 or 76; college or gap year students, career breakers or retired volunteers are all welcome

Highlights

Life in Mongolia is never dull. If you're after a different kind of adventure it's definitely the place to consider. You will be living in one of the world's most remote countries. Once outside of the capital, you will find that 'roads' marked on maps are not really roads and 'settlements' can be small and temporary. If you have a taste for adventure, you will want to explore the remote Altai Mountains and the Gobi Desert.

Travel opportunities might take you across the Steppe, where you could stay with a local nomadic tribe in a Ger. The unusual experiences you'll have will really make the trip worthwhile. You may find yourself gathering camel dung to put on the fire! You will certainly be riding horses, and drinking the traditional Mongolia drink airaag, fermented milk which can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Even in Ulaanbaatar, you will soon realize that it's quite a different kind of capital city. Yes, there are bars and restaurants, but there's a lot of tradition too. Try the local food, especially the mutton. It's also easy to get a quick fix of the country life even while you're based in Ulaanbaatar. The capital is flanked by the "four holy peaks", with forests and grasslands full of animal and bird life, you are very close to ideal hiking territory!

Qualifications

No experience or qualifications.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992