Volunteer Abroad in Mongolia, international experience in teaching, care, medicine, culture & community, journalism, veterinary medicine, sports or business

Volunteer in Orphanages in Mongolia

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.

Orphanage work in Mongolia

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.

Volunteer with Children in Mongolia

Work with children in Mongolia There are around twenty orphanages in Ulaanbaatar where our placements are based. You can either work in a large orphanage, which houses up to 120 children, or you can be involved with a smaller care center which may house only 15 children at a time.

Many of these placements are located in very poor areas, usually in the middle of tented 'Ger districts'. A lot of the work involves playing with the children who range in age from babies to teenage street-children. You may also be working with children who have learning disabilities and would really benefit from the individual attention you can focus on them. You will be working alongside committed local staff to provide practical help and friendship to the many children who are in need of support.

One such placement is with the State Clinical Orphanage for Infants in the Bayangol District. This is home to around a hundred children between the ages of 0 and 3. There are two staff teams here who alternate between an early and a late shift, although volunteers will often work the early shift. The children here can be incredibly demanding, and some of them require extra attention as they have physical or mental disabilities. However the difference our volunteers make is truly inspiring and greatly appreciated by the Mongolian staff that is eager to learn English from you and teach you some Mongolian at the same time!

Volunteer Work with Kids in Mongolia

The actual work depends a lot on the ages of the children that you are working with. While working with younger children you'll play games but you might also be asked to ensure that they are washed and dressed for the day and you'll then help at their meal and bed times.

Work with kids in Mongolia

The older children often require help with homework, personal and social education or support, and it would also be helpful if you can provide them with informal English classes, as well as some form of vocational teaching; to help them make a living once they have to leave the orphanage.

Volunteer work in Mongolia is a chance to make a really positive difference to children‘s lives. You are unlikely to find it easy but, if you are prepared to accept a challenge, you will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience and many new friends, who have taken you to their hearts.

This project is available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.