Donation of a Ger to Bayarjargal

This report was prepared for Tanner De Witt by the Christina Noble Children's Foundation ('CNCF'). If you would like to know how to give a ger or read about CNCF's other activities, please follow the link.

Mongolia's climate is very dry with extreme temperatures. Winter in Mongolia brings some of the harshest temperatures in the world. Temperatures regularly remain at -30C for weeks on end, and even -40C is not regarded as unusual. As in many countries, housing for the poor is an expensive part of a family's budget, and is often inadequate for the climatic conditions. It is not unusual for families of up to eight to live under unheated stairwells in city apartment blocks, or in dilapidated wooden huts, or Gers that are long past the end of their useful life.

From the start of its operations in Mongolia CNCF has assisted homeless families and those in danger of becoming homeless, or living in barely habitable conditions, with their housing needs. This form of assistance was formalized with the establishment of the 'Give a Ger' Campaign Fund in 2001.

A Ger is a traditional felt tent supported by a wooden frame. The 'Give a Ger' programme also provides support to children who have outgrown our Ger Village, as well as children released from prison with nowhere to go and some of the older street children. This programme not only removes these children from squalid and unhealthy living conditions, but also gives a family a home of their own, often for the first time, providing them with security, hope and optimism for the future.

Bayarjargal

Byarjargal is a 14-year-old girl who has been enrolled in the CNCF sponsorship programme since January 2006. She lives with her single mother and two siblings. The family moved to the city from Uvs province looking for a better life and in same year the father passed away from sickness. The mother is aged 46 and she used to work in a textile company as a tailor, but now she is an unemployed due to her poor health and sells cigarettes and candies on the streets once in a while. The oldest sister of Bayarjargal studies at "Construction College". Bayarjargal studies in 9th grade at school this year. The family lost their ger in strong wind in May 2007. Since that they had been renting in someone's hut.

Family income: The mother makes about 1500-3000 MNT (1.3 to 2.6 USD) on a day she sells things. Bayarjargal gets an allowance of 3000 MNT (2.6 USD) a month and 25000 MNT (21 USD) per quarter from the government.

On the day that the ger team was putting up the ger for the family Bayarjargal's mother was so happy and when the ger was finished for the family Bayarjargal signed the contract happily.

Special thanks

On behalf of Christina, the staff of CNCF Mongolia, we appreciate all you have done for Bayarjargal's family. The only way that CNCF has been able to do this was your generous donation of a ger.

Building of the new Ger and handing it over