Project: “Together Developing Life Skills ” or “Together Khogjiye” in Mongolian

AIM: to help 380 disadvantaged women/girls, and their 986 children, become more independent through new skills and knowledge.

DURATION OF PROJECT: 1½ years (Jan 2016 to June 2017)

BUDGET: 10,000 USD (= 15,000AUD)

ORGANISERS:

G.Munkhchuluun:        Project leader / Director of Bright Light Centre

D.Dulmaa:                   Project Coordinator /Family Development Programme Officer

Delgermaa:                  Child Development Programme Officer

Ts.Myagmarsüren:     Volunteer

BACKGROUND

Since the 1990s politics and society in Mongolia have dramatically changed, becoming more democratic and humanitarian. As a result there has been significant improvements in living conditions and opportunities. However, whilst the population generally has benefitted, it has led to a wider gap between the rich and the poor.

Not surprisingly, many of those disadvantaged are from single parent female-headed households, orphaned children, the elderly and the disabled.

The “Together Developing Life Skills” Project has worked with around 3000 socially, emotionally and economically disadvantaged women/girls helping them gain social and work-related skills. Of these females:

2700 women/girls lived below the poverty line.

1200 with disabilities

1859 were female-headed single-parent households

2280 women had more than 3 children

1685 women could not find work because of lack of education. Mongolia places much value on higher education, especially for females, so those females without degrees have few opportunities.

380 have continued their association with the Bright Light Organisation, some now in leadership roles.

It’s not only the lack of opportunities, education, disability that prevents these women/girls from finding employment, but emotional issues, lack of a social network, lack of confidence worsen their situation. Also, there is no pension for those who retire without any savings.

THE PROJECT –

Based on the participants’ ability and interests, the Organisation will help set up a system to teach participants how to manufacture goods, which are often arts and crafts, how to sell them and how to save money. The aim is that with their improved independence, they can then contribute back to society.

Funds rely on the organisers lobbying peak NGOs (non-government organisations), particularly those who support women’s rights, and also seeking any private sponsorship. Unfortunately there is no government assistance.

Lack of money is the main obstacle to the success of the project. Whilst there are “staff “ to teach the skills, starting materials and equipment need to be bought. Also lack of childcare can prevent women from participating.

PROJECT ACTION PLAN

The project will be done in 3 stages:

STAGE 1: PREPARATION

TO DO	ACTION	DATE
Decide what to make Draft out designs Do a budget	Ts Myagmarsuren G Ganchuluun D Dulmaa	3/1/16 – 30/6/16
Research starting materials + equipment and where to buy them	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa T Delgermaa	3/1/16 – 30/6/16

 

STAGE 2: IMPLEMENTATION

TO DO	ACTION	DATE
Teaching participants how to make items, and how to sell items, including maintaining high quality. Explain how to budget	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa T Delgermaa	2016-2017
e.g. Teaching beadwork and how it can be used to embroider and decorate knitwear. Teaching how to achieve fast sales turnover by making goods people want.	Ts Myagmarsuren G Ganchuluun	2016-2017
e.g. Teaching paper craft e.g. the art of paper cuttings which are a Mongolian tradition	G.Munkhchuluun	2016-2017
Organisers to do online marketing and sales of women’s crafts	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa T Delgermaa Ts Myagmarsuren	2016-2017
Participate in exhibitions and trade fairs held at public events	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa T Delgermaa	2016-2017
Set up bank accounts for participants to deposit money. Aim to keep 10% profit as savings.	G.Munkhchuluun Ts Myagmarsuren G Ganchuluun	2016-2017
Set up child care facilities and train younger women in child care procedures	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa T Delgermaa	2016-2017

STAGE 3: CONTROL ?

TO DO	ACTION	DATE
Report quarterly, both verbally and in hard copy to sponsors, organisers, participants, general public	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa	quarterly
Final project and financial report to sponsors, organisers, participants, general public	G.Munkhchuluun D Dulmaa	July 17
Evaluation of project	Organisers Participants Sponsors	July 17

PROJECT LEGACY

• Participating communities to gain more self confidence, and ability to overcome any difficulties
• Inspire the initiative to be innovative
• Improve social interactions
• Team work for problem-solving
• Understanding need for quality assurance, and diversity of products
• Appreciate that customer loyalty aids financial security
• Permanent work
• Increased household incomes
• More optimistic futures
• Participants become independent.
• Improved financial security
• Establishment of childcare facilities, or at least communities where children feel safe without parents.

BUDGET