Volunteer work in Mongolia
The dissolution of Communist rule in Mongolia in the 1990s has leftone-third of Mongolia’s population living below the poverty line and unemployment is more than 50 per cent in some towns. Many people have suffered from the sudden withdrawal of state support, particularly subsidies to the health and education systems.
VSO therefore works in Education and Health in Mongolia and there is also a secure livelihoods programme.
The VSO Mongolia education programme aims to improve the quality of teaching and increase the access of disadvantaged children to education by sending education volunteers to work with the Mongolian Ministry of Education and teacher training colleges on improving basic education methodology. Work is also focusing on raising awareness of the need for inclusive education and improving the special needs education skills of teachers.
VSO's work in health complements the Mongolian Government's work in this area. VSO volunteers work concentrates on developing training for practicing nurses in rural and outlying urban areas. VSO volunteer health managers are also training and supporting their Mongolian peers to develop health management and administration systems at regional and district levels.
Another area of interest for VSO is supporting people in having more options for securing a livelihood other than herding. VSO works with business leaders who come to the country on a volunteer basis to develop the tourism industry and to help local people develop skills in business. Many vocational training operations are also to improve the lives of the Mongolian people in the future.
