Thursday, January 24, 2013


Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1


Mongolia


I have not received a response from my early childhood professional as of yet.  So I chose to go on the website and read about the country of Mongolia and share some insights from studying it.


Mongolia, located in Central Asia is a country where poverty is a widespread movement, which emerged during the change that started in 1990.  During this time the state owned many farms, services and industries and all the cows, goats, yaks, and sheep.  After the country joined the World Trade Organization in 1997 most trade barriers were removed and the economy was much improving. The unemployment rose and the inflation and prices soared which helped many people get back on their feet. 


In 1998 it was indicated that 36% of the population of Mongolia including 39.4 % of urban population and 32.6% of rural population were living in poverty.  The following is a list of causes of poverty in Mongolia:


·         Collapse of industries


·         Bankruptcy of industries and establishments


·         Deterioration in social welfare


·         Unemployment (Poverty Statistics in Mongolia, 2002).


It is very difficult to judge the number of children living in poverty in Mongolia, because many of the females are the head of household and the small children ages ranging from 0-16 years of age.  Supporting families and their children who are suffering from poverty is one of the major concerns of the state.  The responsibility of some children at home were, looking after their sisters and brothers, fetching wood, and doing domestic work and others just end up on the streets.  The bad thing about it is that some children never get a chance to enter school, by no means dropping out. 

Mongolia’s social services provided access for underprivileged families, migrants and those living in the country areas.  Due to the health insurance scheme, which service was terrible, but also demanded customer charges to the people living in specific areas.  By the 1990s some improvement had been made, birth rates had fallen, serious illnesses had declined and infant mortality rates also fallen.  Malnutrition is a big concern in Mongolia, because many children were born underweight and lacking nutrients (CHIP, 2001).


One of the organizations that have come alone and help families in Mongolia is World Vision, it's an organization that partners with the people of Mongolia.  Helping them to improve their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their children, families, and communities.  Including:  offering relief  and assistance to rural families affected by natural disasters; providing shelter, safety, clothing, food, basic  medical care, and educational programs for children living on the streets and increasing access to education through workshops (World Vision, 2012).


                                                        Reference

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre. (2001). Retrieved on January 21, 2013 from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo#12

United Nations Economic and Social Council: Poverty Statistics in Mongolia. Thirteenth Session. (2002).

World Vision: Information and Facts About Mongolia. (2012). Retrieved on January 21, 2013 from http://www.worldvision.org/our-work/international-work/mongolia

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