Peace Corps Mongolia

Peace Corps Mongolia’s annual report recently came out. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV’s) in Mongolia did a lot of great things last year. The report includes some remarkable statistics. Most volunteers will never see the fruits of their labor. Therefore it helps when reports like this put the work that has been done into perspective.

Peace Corps volunteers in Mongolia work in four sectors, Teaching English, Community Youth Development, Community-based Health, and Community Economic Development. Volunteers work all over this huge country in all 21 aimags (states). According to the report in 2012 PCV’s taught English to almost 15,800 secondary school students, 1,700 college and university students, and also trained 2,000 English teachers. Community and Economic Development Volunteers worked with more than 600 small businesses and Youth Development Volunteers reached over 10,000 youth. Health Volunteers reached 1,005 community adults, 2,400 adolescents and 804 children through trainings, sessions, HIV summer camps and health clubs.

Today 134 volunteers work throughout Mongolia. Over the last 22 years over 970 volunteers have served in Mongolia.  Peace Corps volunteers will continue to do great things in the future. I am so honored to be a part of this great group of people. Enjoy the pics below!!!

Funerals in Mongolia/ Buddhist Traditions

About seven weeks ago my co-workers mother passed away. I had the opportunity to attend a few of the ceremonies after the funeral. I found it quite interesting and thought I would share a few interesting facts here.

First, the family has a private funeral at the grave site. The deceased person is buried or cremated. During the funeral the family goes to a temple or the lama comes to the grave site and reads a prayer. After the main funeral the family invites friends and extended family to a tsagaalaga. (a get together to remember the person). All people that attend a Tsagaalga receive gifts. This is all at the expense of the family. Tsagaalga is not a sad occasion. Mongolians say that after the private funeral there is no crying. It is a time to enjoy life and the company of others. 

49 days after the person has passed another get-together takes place. Everyone eats and children receive gifts in memory of the deceased. Before the guests can leave each person must light a candle. Again, this is all that the expense of the family of the deceased. It can be quite expensive. 

The family asks a lama when they can visit the grave. Sometimes the lama will tell them that they can't visit the grave for another 10 years. This time is given to allow the deceased persons soul to reach a happy state. 

A Tsagaalga

Preparing the Candles 

Guests lighting candles 

The English Language Learning Center has been fully funded!

Great news!!! We have reached our goal! We raised $1,000 in just two weeks. Thank you so much for your contributions. I will keep you updated on the project! 

Check out this article on Democracy and Poverty: A lesson from Mongolia. Great read!!!!

http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2013/04/09-mongolia-tuya?goback=.gde_1833087_member_230954514

If your donation has not posted on the Peace Corps website do not worry. It takes three business days for all donations to post! Thank you. 

Please Donate!

There is an anonymous donor who will donate $250.00 to match the first $250.00. Your donation will count for double!!! 

English Language Learning Center: Please Donate

My Mongolian counterparts and I are creating an English Language Learning Center in Bagkhangai, Mongolia. There is no location in this community for students to study English in a quiet place where English materials are readily available. It is vital that this rural community in Central Mongolia create a safe, quiet place with English resources where students can study and improve their English skills.

It will serve as place where students can go to read, do their homework and receive tutoring. This center will be available to over 400 students. This center will undoubtedly foster collaborative learning in this community of teachers and students and create an environment conducive to learning. Without your help, this kind of educational opportunity would be financially out of reach. 

At this time the center needs cabinets, new linoleum for the floor, a heater, paint and computer. Would you consider helping us this year with a contribution of $20 to make this center possible? Community members have raised a remarkable $1,126.05, 52% of the project cost, through cash and in kind donation and need assistance in raising the additional $1,000 from the Peace Corps Partnership Program. All donations are tax deductible.

If you can help then please visit the secure Peace Corps website link (see below) and make your contribution as soon as possible. We want to have all funding completed in two weeks so that we can finish construction before the end of the school year. Be sure to check the box on the website to share your name and address so we can send you an update after the project concludes.

http://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=13-309-001

Check out the photos of the area that will be renovated below. 

OneWorld Classrooms Global Art Exchange

My students recently participated in the Global Art Exchange. OneWorld Classrooms is an educational nonprofit based in Boston. OneWorld invites all schools and youth groups to participate in their K-12 Global Art Exchange. Since 2009, over 15,000 students from 54 countries have directly participated.

25 of my students created artwork that they felt represented Mongolia and mailed it to Boston. Their artwork will be considered for the OneWorld Boston 140 exhibition. Art from around the world will be displayed in schools throughout the Boston area. It is an excellent program. I attached a photo of each student to each piece of artwork in order to make the exchange more powerful. The students that receive my students artwork will be able to see a picture of the artist and read a summary of Mongolia, written by my students. The summary is below.

Mongolia is situated in Central Asia. Russia borders Mongolia to the north and China borders Mongolia to the South. It has a population of 2.7 million people. Mongolia has an extreme climate. It can get as cold as -50F. The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar. Mongolians speak Mongolian. Mongolia has 21 provinces. 1/3 of the population lives in the capital. Most Mongolians live in gers. A ger is a traditional Mongolian house. It is round and has a window at the top. The ger can be taken down in one hour. A ger is the perfect house for a Mongolian herder because they have to move often. The typical Mongolian diet consists of meat, potatoes, rice, bread and cheese products. Mongolians love to drink airag (horse milk) and milk tea. It provides them much needed nutrition during the cold winter months.

In about a month my students will receive 25 pieces of artwork created by students from a variety of world regions. The package will contain artwork from at least 6-12 different countries. This project is a great way for students to learn about global cultures. Check out my student’s artwork below.

If you would like to register go to http://www.oneworldclassrooms.org/programs/k12art/

World Map Project

For the last two weeks I have been working with my students on the World Map Project. The World Map Project promotes geography literacy and builds a sense of community. I have been able to get my students interested in geography, boosted their confidence, and improved their critical thinking skills.

We made our map by using an overhead projector and a single world map transparency. The Projection Method lets you trace a projected map image directly onto a wall. We painted our map with latex paint bought in the capital.

Afterwards we held a celebration to honor all those who helped with the map. During our party the students ate food from different countries and played games related to geography using the completed world map. 

tracing 

Painting 

Labeling 

The Finished Product 

Diversity in America/Stereotypes seminar

Last week I organized a Diversity in America/Stereotypes seminar at my site. I invited two other Peace Corps volunteers and an expat working at the World Bank to help me. It was a huge success. 

 We began with the slide in the above picture and the question "Who is an American?". My students thought that the only Americans in the picture were the two Caucasian people. The above slide included two African Americans, one Native American, two Caucasians, one Latina woman, and one Muslim woman wearing the hijab. My students learned what it means to be "American", who is included in that group, and who the "original Americans" are. It was a wonderful discussion. 

The following day we wrote the names of five groups on the board.(white people, black people, Russians, Chinese, and Mongolians) The students were instructed to say the first thing that came to mind when they heard the name of the group. Descriptions in the pictures above and below are from my 9th and 11th grade classes. The above picture is a little blurry, but it says the following. 

White people: beautiful, big nose, big smile, fun, rich, good education, smart, good body, kind
Black people: friendly, talented, Afro hair, good singers, good dancers, good at sports, gangster, mean, dangerous, good rappers, rude, big lips
Russians: tall, big eyes, vodka, mafia, drugs/heroin, dangerous
Chinese: bad, dangerous, liars, stupid, small feet, 1 child policy, don't like animals, good products
Mongolians: best, strong, generous, laid back, lovely, welcoming 

• Mongolians generally like white people. They meet Peace Corps volunteers and expats and have positive views of them. 
• Unfortunately, there are not many minorities in Mongolia. Therefore, most Mongolians have never met an African American before. They base their views on black people off of what they see in movies and hear in music. 
• Despite what is written above, Mongolians like Russians. Russia is credited with pushing the Chinese out of Mongolia. The fact that they remained in Mongolia for years after the Chinese were pushed out is ignored. 
• For obvious reasons Mongolians do not like Chinese people. The Qing Dynasty ruled Mongolia for some 300 years. Mongolia became independent in 1921. 

Next, we asked the students how many people from each group they had actually met. They had met 4 white people, 1 black person(me), 0 Russians, and 0 Chinese. My students realized that they could not describe these groups of people if they had not actually met them. They learned about prejudice, stereotypes, the roots of many of the stereotypes that they believed, and why it is important not to stereotype. 

I believe that the seminar went well and my students got a lot out of it. Hopefully next time they will think twice before stereotyping. 

Schools in America Seminar 

Classroom games seminar 

By educating my students preconceived notions of what it means to be a black, Russian, or Chinese person evolved into positive and inclusive descriptors. This series of Seminars reminded me how essential it is that we teach and travel abroad(especially minorities). We are our own Ambassadors!

Mongolian Christmas

When Peace Corps volunteers go abroad we are aware that we will be gone for two years. Life will go on in the states. However, we don’t realize how slowly things move here, sometimes we feel like we’re in limbo. Friends back home get jobs, get married, have children, and graduate from graduate programs. Meanwhile, we are still in our small towns, “saving the world”. But what happens when problems arise? Family members fall ill, etc. Some volunteers go home to spend time with family, others stay in their host country at the request of their family members, but everyday they think about what they are missing. Recently one of my close Peace Corps friends returned home. His father has brain cancer and this holiday could possibly be his last.

I knew what I was getting myself into when I boarded that plane for Mongolia. However, I was not aware of how difficult it would be to be away from family. You don’t realize how important it is to be physically present when something bad happens at home. Just the feeling of a hug or a kiss on the cheek can be enough to comfort a loved one. During my time in Mongolia I have realized how important my family is to me.

Peace Corps Family Photo :-)

My family and the idea of family is such an essential part of my life because family is what has enabled me to become the person that I am thus far. My parents have always supported me and instilled in me the idea of being the best person that I can be. The best person that I can be is not just a successful student or a successful employee. The best person I can be is a person that embodies everything that generations of my family have striven for. My family is made up of all sorts of individuals. Some of us have great expectations and some of us have not yet reached our full potential. Some of us are motivators and some of us need to be motivated. As I grow into the person that I am meant to be I continue to be motivated by my family and friends.

As my last Christmas in Mongolia comes to a close I want to thank my family friends for supporting me in all of my endeavors. I also want to dedicate this post to all of the former Peace Corps volunteers that had to cut their journey’s short because of unfortunate circumstances at home. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays! I think that the following quote sums up Christmas perfectly. Have a wonderful holiday!

~Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas- Calvin Coolidge 

Happy Holidays from Mongolia!

Here is a little something to get you in the Christmas spirit!!! This is a video of my students practicing their performance for the holiday concert. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!!

Mongolian News

Check out the latest Mongolian news in English at infomongolia.com!

Year #2

I have not updated my blog in quite a while now. Since my last blog post I have celebrated Thanksgiving, Halloween, and made it through the first quarter of my last school year in Mongolia. Peace Corps year #2 is much easier than first year. The weather doesn’t seem as cold (low is -20F right now), holidays are easier to get through, classes run much smoother, and life in general in Mongolia is much more pleasant. This is simply because of the fact that everything is no longer a mystery. I am mentally prepared for the things to come and it feels good. To all of those PCV’s out there struggling to get through your first year, it gets easier!!!

Instead of fretting about things that seem trivial now(weather, food, living conditions, language) I can focus on my work and extracurricular activities. I recently started a step team at my school. My students are enjoying it immensely and have even begun to create their own routines. At the end of the school year we will have a concert in Bagahangai and UB to raise money for the school and promote healthy living (exercise through dance). Sorry for the short entry. I have to get back to class.

15 months down 7 more to go! Enjoy the pics and the video! 

My counterpart and I decorated the classroom for our best class at the end of the quarter.

Everyday if a class was good and completed all of the homework they got a sticker. At the end of the quarter the class with the most stickers got a prize. 8th grade won. This chart has actually worked really well. Overall the students are more well-behaved and motivated. 

8th Grade students 

My best students practicing the step routine. 

Eagle Festival

Last month I went to Bayan-Ulgii province to organize a cultural and diversity seminar and attend the Eagle Festival. Ulgii is the western most Aimag in Mongolia.

The Kazakh’s in that region organize the Eagle Festival every year. Kazakh’s have traditionally used golden eagles for hunting. They usually hunt foxes and rabbits. At this year’s festival over 60 hunters competed to prove that they had the best-trained eagles. The celebration began with each hunter displaying his hunting outfits. Later, the eagles were released from a rock cliff, while their owner stood below and signaled for them to land on their arms. Those with the fastest times received the highest scores. In addition to the eagle-hunting contest, participants also play traditional Kazakh games, compete in horse and camel races, and hunt. 

The Hunters in their traditional clothing at the opening ceremony. Notice the hat on the eagles head. The hat is used to keep the eagles from biting. 

Kazakh designs are absolutely beautiful. You can see one example on this hunters clothing. 

Bayan-Ulgii is surrounded by mountains. It is the perfect backdrop for the Eagle Festival. 

I love love love the fox fur hats that Kazakh's make!!! They are incredibly warm and perfect for winter. The wall hangings are also beautiful. You can see them on the ground. When Kazakh's get married the new couple is given a wall hanging to hang in their home. They are all hand-made. They cost about 50 bucks and can only be bought in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and some parts of China. 

So Funny

http://whatshouldpcvscallme.tumblr.com/post/32800769787/the-first-time-i-was-offered-weird-animal-parts-to-eat

check this blog out. the posts are hilarious and soooo accurate!

Happy first day of school Mongolia!

Happy first day of school Mongolia!, a photo by marikaan on Flickr.

Today is the first day of school in Mongolia. This is a picture of my 10th grade class.

Also check out my latest news broadcast at infomongolia.com The video is in the upper right hand corner. It will only be up for one week. Enjoy!

"Traveling While Black"

For obvious reasons I stand out. African Americans in Mongolia are a constant source of stares, compliments, and sometimes ridicule. This post will hopefully give you a glimpse into what life in Mongolia is like as a female African American volunteer.

In September of 2011 I made the big chop. I cut off all of my relaxed hair and was left with a mass of unruly curls. Before the big chop my hair was never a topic of discussion among Mongolians or other Peace Corps volunteers. After the big chop my hair became a spectacle, and major topic of discussion among my students, teachers, Mongolian friends, and onlookers. My students couldn’t compliment me enough on my hair. My 11^th grade girls wanted to know how they could curl their hair the way that mine did naturally. Unfortunately, negative attention also followed. I became more noticeable when I walked down the street. The amount of stares and comments that I received multiplied by ten. Unwanted touching ultimately ensued.

A couple of weeks ago I found a Mongolian woman that can straighten my hair. Once again I have long flowing tresses. When I step outside with sunglasses on I can almost blend in with a Mongolian crowd. I’m ecstatic! Walking from my apartment to work in the morning is less stressful. As a result, I have begun to wear my hair straight. As much as I love my beautiful mane I love passing by unnoticed more.

The most frustrating aspect of “travelling while black” is being constantly bombarded by negative stereotypes of African Americans. Unfortunately for many Mongolians the only time that they have seen or heard a black person is in movies, on television, and in music. On Martin Luther King Day my 11^th graders discussed racism, stereotypes, and prejudice. I had each student write down stereotypes about African Americans, Caucasians, Russians, Mongolians, and Chinese. Underneath African Americans the following was written.

• ·      Crime
• ·      Drugs
• ·      White Teeth
• ·      Athletic
• ·      Ghetto/Poor

My students forced me to analyze the way that the world views “us”(Africans Americans). It has come to my attention that it is not very positive. Now you may ask why does it matter what a 16-year-old Mongolian boy thinks of black people. It matters because these stereotypes have permeated not only the Mongolian psyche, but also our own (America). I have spoken to many foreigners that have spent time in America working or studying. Most of them have one thing in common. They have bought into the stereotypes. A couple of weeks ago I had an educated well-travelled man tell me that he was also from the “ghetto”. Naturally, he assumed that is where I come from.

Instances like this make living abroad more difficult. However, it has made my experience in Mongolia more enriching. I am learning what I am truly passionate about. In the future I would like to work on increasing the number of African Americans that participate in programs such as the Peace Corps. In my cohort of over 60 volunteers I am the only African American. When minorities do not participate in these types of programs it shortchanges the host country nationals, other Peace Corps volunteers, and most importantly “us” as a people.

I will share one last incident that occurred last year. It really brightened my day and made me laugh. I was sharing a cab with a group of Peace Corps volunteers. I was the only minority in the group. The conversation went as follows.

Driver: Where are you from

Me: America

Driver: Oooo ok…….India?

Me: No, America.

Driver: *Shakes head* Philipino?

Me: No, America like everyone else here in the car.

Driver: African?

Me: Sir I am from America!!!

Driver: (He has a complete moment of clarity) Oooooo I know! Barack Obama daughter!!!
Me: Yes Sir. Your are right. lol #theObamaeffect 

Natural

Blow Out and Flatiron 

Mongolian News

For the past couple of weeks I have been reading the English news for NTV. Check out my video at infomongolia.com...I have to warn you that I am pretty bad.(no future for me in television) Take a look and enjoy! http://infomongolia.com

http://www.infomongolia.com/

(Look at the video to the right.) 

My counterpart tumee

My counterpart tumee, a photo by marikaan on Flickr.

The time that my family spent in Mongolia was fabulous. I introduced them to the Mongolians that have gone out of their way to make my stay here as comfortable as possible.

My family met my old counterpart Tumee(in the picture). When I was temporarily living in my school Tumee cooked me dinner every night. She also answered every one of my annoying phone calls about anything and everything.

Next, they met my old director Ariunna. Ariunna let me live in her apartment for 2 weeks after my hashaa families domestic violence incident. She cooked me chicken every night because she knew that I didn't like mutton.

Finally, they met my old hashaa Mom Erica. Erica taught me how to make fires, chop wood, cook Mongolian food, and survive the winter. She even went so far as to make a fire for me at 6 o'clock in the morning during the beginning of the winter. At that point I had not mastered the art of making fires with coal.

These three women made my transition from America to Mongolia much smoother. I am happy that my family was able to meet the people that have defined my experiences in Mongolia thus far. Together, my CP's and director and gave my family an authentic Mongolian experience complete with horse meat, mutton, Ger's, and wrestling. Enjoy the pictures below!

Saihan Naadam Bloson Bn!