Child sponsorship update from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from Winter 2008

Dear Friends,

The children, mothers and staffs of the SOS children’s Villages Mongolia are greeting the year 2009 with successes and optimistic efforts for the future.

2008 was the year of creativity and diligent initiation for us. There are 120 children in the Village, 10 children in Youth Facility Center, altogether 130 children in our SOS Children’s Village in Mongolia, 124 of them study in secondary school, 1 child study in The Technical College and 5 children go to the nursery school.

We would like to mention about some successful achievements of our talented children, who are leading their friends by study, art and sport performances: G.Uyanga and Sh.Buyan-Arvijikh/Youth Facility/ were granted with “Best student” awards of the year 2008 from the City Department for Children and Youth, Ya.Altaisaikhan won a bronze medal for “ match of table tennis between teenager” 2008 from “Success and luck” Tennis club, M.Bekhbayar became a winner of the golden key for the “Trustworthy student” 2008 from 97th school, B.Namuun won golden medal from chess match “win if you can ”, B.Bayarsaikhan won golden medal from School match and bronze medal from the Olympiad hosted by ”Mathematic” journal,, Ts.Itgel won bronze medal for “Literature and poetry” contest and etc.

Also, it is my pleasure to announce that the team /with 6 children/ of SOS Children’s Village won first prize in debate on legislation named “My Right and Duty”, which was organized by the City Department for Children and Youth , the National Center for Children Rights. Also our girls team won the first place and boys team 3rd place for basketball as well as , M.Enkhjargal won the first prize, T.Batnyam won first prize, G.Shurentsetseg won 3rd prize for table tennis and as a team SOS Children’s Villages Team won first prize and took the cup in the “Five Ring” sport match held between social welfare organisations. And SOS Children’s Villages Team took first prize in 9 categories with total scores for “Art Festival”.

Growing up at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

SOS Children’s Villages staff also gained some achievements and success. Our Children’s Village Director N.Sodnomdarjaa was awarded with “Leading employee” medal from Ministry of Social Welfare Labour of Mongolia, Psychologist Z.Enkhtuya was awarded with “the Best Teacher-2008” that was granted by “Education, Culture, Training”, the City Department for Children and Youth and for medal as well as Non Government Organisations. Our staff is greeting the New Year with the following successes such as: staff team won the first prize and gold medal for match of volleyball between the organisations hosted by the Bayanzurkh district. Construction work of the second building with capacity of 140 children has been completed in Darkhan city and the activity has already commenced.

In a framework of the” Family Strengthening programme of SOS Children’s Villages Association Mongolia, 480 children were involved in our health education activity”.

Since February 2008, Youth centre has separated male teenagers aged 14-16 from the village and began the activity. Children visit the centre through their interest to the schools and trainings. The Youth centre aims to teach the youth how to live independently and live like a socialized person in the society.

On behalf of all our Children, SOS Mothers and all of us, I thank you for your support and wish you and your family All the best in your life in coming 2009!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Yours sincerely,

Sodnomdarjaa Namkhainymbuu
Village Director