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Volunteering with Children in Mongolia
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.
The children in Mongolia’s orphanages and care facilities might therefore be seen as the lucky ones, but these centers are often desperately overstretched and sometimes cannot offer even the most basic resources to the children in their care. In some cases staff may not 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 Care project in Mongolia.
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 need to have any previous experience or qualifications to volunteer. 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 and professionals, or retired volunteers are all welcome.
Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, Projects Abroad Mongolia was recently presented with an award for our work with underprivileged children in Ulaanbaatar, winning the Best NGO category.
Volunteer Projects at Orphanages, Kindergartens, and Care and Special Needs Centers
As a Projects Abroad volunteer in Mongolia you could work with a variety of Care placements throughout Ulaanbaatar, normally within walking distance or a short bus rice from you accommodation.
Some volunteers work in both state and private orphanages, housing anywhere from 20 to 200 children. Some of the orphanages look after specific age groups, from babies to teenagers. Please let us know if you have any preferences regarding the age of children you’d like to work with.
Other volunteers can work in kindergartens or a center for children with learning and physical disabilities. At the kindergartens volunteers will work with children aged 3-5 years old, alongside a local teacher in classes of up to 40 children.
If you’re volunteering at the center for children with learning and physical disabilities then there may also be options for you to become involved with outreach work, visiting the children’s family home to provide additional support and advice to their families. This placement is only available between September and May, as the center closes during the summer months.
You could also work in a center that looks after as many as 60 street children at a time. This can be a demanding placement because the children come from difficult backgrounds. Volunteers working here will have to take initiative to develop their own activities for the children.
Wherever you work, it will be alongside committed local staff to provide practical help and friendship to the many children who are in need of support. The impact our volunteers make is truly inspiring and greatly appreciated by the Mongolian staff. Helping them learn English – and picking up some Mongolian yourself at the same time – is a great way to bond with your colleagues.
Volunteering Abroad on a Care Project in Mongolia
The actual work you will be doing depends on the ages of the children that you are working with. When working with younger children you'll play games often, but you might also be asked to ensure that they are washed and dressed for the day and help at meal times and bed time.
The older children often require help with homework or support with personal and social issues. It is always helpful and encouraged if you can provide them with some informal English lessons.
During the school vacations between June and August some of the orphanages organize for the children and staff to spend time at a summer camp outside of Ulaanbaatar. Volunteers involved with the camp will assist with arranging games and activities for the children.
Volunteers can also sometimes get involved in extra community-based projects organized by Projects Abroad Mongolia and we welcome ideas for new projects.