The little 9-seater MAF plane finally touched down in Barontuuren after 3.5 hours of flying across snow-covered mountains, semi-desert areas and vast steppes.  We were here to hand over a small school we had built for the community in a remote little village 28 km further, near the Russian border.  Zuunturen is a small town hemmed in by sand dunes on the one side and tall snow covered mountains on the other.  We had worked for a month in 2004 before the freezing weather set in.  This year we had come back in May assisted by Laurie Rose from Australia and 10 Canadian Students from CUC and their two professors.  Last year we also had a group of Japanese students come and assist.  Four of them, the ADRA Japan Director, Chris Ishii, and an assistant decided to come back again and were here to help prepare for the handing over ceremony having come all the way in a van over those rough roads from the city.

It had been no easy task building a school that lay 4-days travel by truck from Ulaanbaatar City, and located in the remotest corner of Mongolia.  A bag of cement trebled in price when transport charges were added.  Nothing was close at hand and so careful logistical planning was called for.  We had to transport our own gers (felt huts) to live in, build our own pit toilets, rig up temporary showers, and pump water out of the river for washing and making cement blocks.  Cooking had been done over wood fires and electricity was only available sporadically; as often as our little temperamental Chinese generator obliged.

Stepping out of the plane we were given a royal welcome by the local governor, school director and one education official from the Provincial Capital.  On the plane were four Japanese donors who had made this whole project possible.  They were accompanied by Dr Batkhuu from the University of Mongolia, who also was the chairman of the Uvs – Japan Friendship Group.  He speaks Japanese fluently and was an amazing coordinator for the activities planned for this ceremony.  We were first whisked away for a hot meal over at the school.

We then drove the 28 km out to the school in the village of Zuunturen.  The little school with its bright-blue roof and dark barge boards looked pleasing to the eye.  Crowds of people had gathered for the ceremony.  On the one side a truck was parked with the sound system and an electronic keyboard on it.  As we stepped out of the van the local children’s brass band struck up a welcome tune.  It was lovely meeting my staff and the builders who had worked tirelessly in the building of the school.  Soon we were steeped in speeches and presentations of every description.  Some had their speeches written out and stuck to them.  Everything was translated from Japanese to Mongolia and visa versa.  I busied myself with photographs and soon it was my turn to speak.  I called the men forward who had worked so hard on the building and brought honor to them.  I also challenged teachers and students to make good use of the little school.  The only Mongolian to win a medal at the 2004 Olympic Games had come from this little school in his youth.  I said that by 2025 we hoped a Mongolian president would be from this little school.  There was laughter, but the challenge was accepted.

Having lived in Mongolia for 7 years it came as no surprise to suddenly hear my name being called for me to step up to collect an award.  I was thrilled to hear that I was awarded honorary citizenship of the Soum (county).  I received my certificate and medal feeling humbled that this massive honor had been bestowed on someone like me, but at the same time I was proud to be part of ADRA that works so tirelessly to make a difference in so many places, in so many ways. 

A concert by school children, followed.  I am always amazed at the talent of Mongolians when it comes to singing and dancing.  The most amazing was a little set of twins, only three years old, who sang three English songs including “Happy Birthday.”  These two girls had definitely taken “cuteness lessons.”  It was a real picture, watching our Japanese visitors enjoy the concert as first-time visitors to Mongolia.

No ceremony is complete without photographs.  Everyone stood behind the banners brought with by the Japanese and cameras clicked away.  In the audience were old men and ladies dressed in their best dels.  Children’s faces peeked over the banner.  On the edge of the crowd were the young herdsmen sitting on their horses.  Many people were dressed in modern clothing, but the traditional del, was still in evidence everywhere. 

The other vital ingredient to any ceremony is nourishment.  We were led over to the hospital clinic where a table was loaded with bottles of water, juice and good food.  There were toasts and more speeches and then the final words of appreciation were spoken.  It had been a wonderful day and sendoff to a new school.  Investment in children is one of the most important we can make.  With the literacy rate dropping in Mongolia, more needs to be done to encourage school attendance.  This school building will now serve two bags (sub-districts) that will be combined.  It is hoped that it will be the stabilizing factor in an ever city-bound migration.

Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who played a part in this school’s construction; donors, architects, builders, volunteers, drivers, translators and supporters.

“Take particular care in picking out your building materials.  Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out.  The inspection will be thorough and rigorous.  You won’t get by with a thing.  If your work passes inspection, fine, if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over.” 1 Corinthians 3 (The Message)

Llewellyn Juby -  August, 2005