By Justin Douglass, World Vision
Boldbaatar, 11, lives with his parents and brothers and sisters. The eldest child in the family is 27 years old and 11-year-old Boldbaatar is the youngest. The family of eight lived in a summer kiosk of five square meters but this make shift home was unsuitable for winter as temperatures would sometimes plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius. They would beg people or friends for a place to stay but many could not help them as they were also poor.
During that time Boldbaatar's mother Erdenechimeg was disappointed and worried about providing for her family.
“I wished to have a place to stay so that I could take care of my family, breed chickens and pigs. This has been made possible through World Vision. I am very thankful,” says Erdenechimeg.
The family tried to improve their livelihoods by planting vegetables but had little success as they knew little about farming techniques.
Boldbaatar’s parents would take turns to man a kiosk but their income was little because they could only stock US$17 worth of grocery supplies.
Before Boldbaatar enrolled into the Child Sponsorship programme he also suffered from a hernia and meningitis which caused abdominal and back pain. These illnesses made Boldbaatar weak.
Circumstances began changing, however, after Boldbaatar was enrolled into the World Vision Child Sponsorship programme two years ago.
A chance to live, again
Boldbaatar with his mother in their new home. Photo by Justin Douglass, World Vision.
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Child Sponsorship makes it possible for, not only the child but also the family to benefit from all the activities in the Area Development Program (ADP). Boldbaatar has gone for medical check-ups and can go to school as World Vision provides all the necessary stationery to equip him for an education. He also received iron supplements to strengthen his physical body. Erdenechimeg and her husband received business training as well as vegetable production training.
With World Vision’s assistance they learnt how to grow vegetables, received vegetable seeds and gardening tools. From consuming the vegetables they can have a nutritious meal. “Planting vegetables was difficult in the beginning but after we were involved in the project World Vision gave us potato seeds and other vegetables and taught us how to grow vegetables,“ says Erdenechimeg.
To further improve their food security Erdenechimeg would like to build an underground storage place to keep their vegetables longer. At the moment they keep their vegetables for three months and then give the rest to relatives before the vegetables go bad.
The World Vision business training has improved their entrepreneurial skills as well as their income. They now sell US$43 worth of groceries in their kiosk.
The family also received a ger through the shelter project. World Vision provided the raw materials and the beneficiaries were taught how to make a ger. Erdenechimeg and other beneficiaries formed teams to help each build their gers. The men would do carpentry and make the ger structure out of wood while the ladies sewed the felt and lining together. “When we work together it makes the work easier and more enjoyable,” says a satisfied Erdenechimeg who received a stove as a prize for building a good ger.
"If World Vision did not help us we would still be wondering aimlessly looking for a place to stay. Our lives would have been so depressing, living in a little kiosk meant for summer, too cold for winter,” says Erdenechimeg.
Renewed confidence for Boldbaatar
Boldbaatar can now sleep peacefully at home in his new ger. At fifth grade now, he is also able to live in a more comfortable home that is conducive for him to study as well. The Mongolian language, mathematics and physical training are his favourite subjects. Having their own shelter has also changed the atmosphere at home. Now the family can all sit together, share jokes and enjoy a time of bonding.
Boldbaatar sits down at his table inside the ger. The only light coming in through the top of the ger lights up the table. He takes a pencil with his hard, dry hands and pages through a textbook with his other hand searching for a picture to draw. The paging through the textbook stops, he stares intensely at the picture and then starts to draw it with perfection. The bit of light bouncing off the table lights up the scar underneath his chin. Boldbaatar excels at copying drawings from a book. “I want to be an artist one day," he says with a smile.
He is delightfully helpful around the house and helps his parents by preparing food. Tsuiwing (Mongolian noodle with meat and vegetables) is his favourite dish to prepare. He enjoys riding his brother’s bicycle. His favourite colour is green. When he closes his eyes and thinks about green he sees green grass. He likes to play soccer with his brothers and sisters in their yard. During his summer vacation he helps his mother water the vegetables.
Boldbaatar’s favourite season is summer because it is warm. “I don’t like going outside during winter because it is too cold,” says a very shy Boldbaatar.
He celebrates New Year at home with his family where they have meal together and light fire crackers.
Through the Child Sponsorship Programme Boldbaatar’s life and his family's life have improved. He can have medical examinations with treatment for his ailments. His parents have obtained skills in producing vegetables and increasing their business. Through the shelter project World Vision provided them raw materials and they built their own home. Boldbaatar and his family has now, found hope for a brighter future.
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