2010 June
MARG REPORTS
Marg Chamberlain is the VSO volunteer in Choibalsan who is spending a lot of time and effort on Anna Home. She writes:
Spring has come to the Steppe in Choibalsan, everything is green and vacation time has started for the children at Anna Home. The break is very welcome as they all studied very hard for the end of school year tests with all the children doing very well they will be moving to the next class level when school starts again in September.
The children have also been learning new skills on the computer and on the sewing machines. Not everything has been work; they have time to play football games and lots of other outside games in the warmer weather
Not going to school has not meant lazy days for the children they have been very busy at home. All the children helped plant many different vegetables in the garden, the little boys collected chicken manure and fertilized the garden plots and generally enjoyed playing in the mud, it must have worked well because the plants are doing very well and the carrots and tomatoes and sweet corn all thriving, which is also thanks to the new pump which is once again bringing up water from the deep well.
Boldsaikhan held a meeting with all the Teacher’s and children to talk about how everything was going and the children all expressed how happy they are that they will be going to a summer camp in the countryside for the third year in a row. The teachers are all pleased with how well the children are doing, there are three teachers now training the children how to live and co-ordinate all areas of their lives, so they can be independent when they leave Anna Home.
FRENCH LESSONS
Two young French girls, Morgane and Salene came to Anna Home to teach French language and did some cooking with the children, a favorite was Apple Pie. Also the Anna home children taught the French girls how to make some Mongolian foods. The children really liked learning French and are still practicing their greetings and numbers. Morgan and Salene also took 5 children to the Children’s Day Celebration in the centre of Choibalsan.
Dornod VSO Della from Canada and Marg from Australia have been visiting a lot too. On children’s day on the first of June they gave some small gifts to the children, who were very excited about the day. Some local Business men gave some cakes and gifts so it was a happy day for all. Local Dornod Television station came on Children’s day and did a program on the children.
FUND RAISING
Local government people have helped Anna home fundraising this year. At the end of 2009 Amaig council meeting the Director of Anna Home, Boldsaikhan made a proposal to the Council asking for help for Anna Home. The proposal was successful and a donation of 2 million Tugrik was received. Also the city Councilor allotted 800 thousand Tugrik as a donation. Church missionary Mike and his wife Sarah donated to 300 thousand Tugrik.
The carpentry shop has been busy and was commissioned to make 4 planter boxes to grow tomatoes on balconies, and a case for a Moron Knur (horse violin). This amounted to 105 thousand Tugrik. Altogether fund raising by Anna home is a little over 3 million, around €1500.
Many of the Children received new shoes for a donation from China; they were some summer sandals and sport shoes.
So far for Marg’s story. Boldsaikhan wrote:
NEW BOY IN ANNA HOME
Uurnemekh is 9 years old when he comes to Anna Home in March 2010. His mother is in Ulaanbaatar; his father has no job and no home. He never went to school, so he cannot read or write. He dreams of becoming a company director. First to school and play football!
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DOCTORS VISIT THE CHILDREN
In March doctors from the hospital of Choibalsan came to Anna Home to check the children. Head nurse Ariuna initiated this and she came with seven different specialists, such as a ophthalmologist, dermatologist, dentist and internal medicine. All children were at home, because all schools were closed for the pig flu.
A pharmacy donated vitamins and some medicines. It all helps to improve the health of the children.
