Interview: Sanjaadagva and Itgel-Ochir: Thank You, Save the Children!
Due to heavy rain on August 5, 2023, many households in the 21st, 27th, and 29th sub-district of Bayanzurkh district in Ulaanbaatar city were affected by floods. Save the Children implements a humanitarian project to assist families and children heavily impacted by the flood disaster, delivering the first part of aid on August 31, 2023, just before the school session began. As part of this project, school-aged children received uniforms, school bags, school supplies, and sports shoes. Preschool and kindergarten children were provided with various toys and storybooks. During the handover occasion, we interviewed brothers G. Sanjaadagva and G. Itgel-Ochir, who received the aid.
G.Sanjaadagva: My Summer Assignments Have Been Washed Away
Interviewer: What is your name, and what grade do you study in?
G.Sanjaadagva: My name is G. Sanjaadagva. I live in the 21st sub-district of Bayanzurkh district in Ulaanbaatar city with my family. I’m in the 2nd grade at School No. 24 in Bayanzurkh District, and I’m 7 years old.
Interviewer: Did you have a good summer vacation? What does your class do when school starts on September 1?
G.Sanjaadagva: My summer vacation was nice, but I really like going to school. On September 1, when school starts, I show my summer homework to my teacher, then we have Mongolian and mathematics lessons, and then we’re dismissed. I have two best friends at school.
Interviewer: What do your parents do?
G.Sanjaadagva: My father and mother work in construction. Right now, they are repairing our house because it was damaged during the flood.
Interviewer: Can you tell us what happened when the flood hit your home? Do you remember that incident?
G. Sanjaadagva: I saw cars rolling and colliding. A car hit the door of our yard, and water flooded in. I felt angry, and my clothes got dirty and ugly. Only a few of them were wearable after being thoroughly washed. Lightning struck the roof of our house, and the fences of our neighbors were damaged. Some families even lost their gers. I had already completed my summer assignment, but it was all washed away by the flood. However, our class teacher knows it was because of the flood, so it’s okay.
Interviewer: Which of the school supplies given to you do you like the most?
G.Sanjaadagva: Today, it feels like we are getting ready for school with all these cool things in the bag. For me, the highlighter is the best.
Interviewer: What would you like to say to the people who provided these school supplies and shoes?
G.Sanjaadagva: Thank you to Save the Children.
G.Itgel-Ochir: If I Were Poseidon, the God of Water, I Would Stop the Flood Immediately
Interviewer: What is your name, and could you introduce your family members to us?
G.Itgel-Ochir: I am G. Itgel-Ochir. I’m 6 years old, and I study in the 1st grade at School No. 127. I live with my parents, sister, and two brothers, so there are six members in my family.
Interviewer: Was it difficult for your family after the flood?
G.Itgel-Ochir: The floodwater entered our house and damaged the TV. Our neighbors next door helped us out. If I were the god of water, I would have stopped the flood immediately. My parents reassured us, and one of my father’s relatives also came to help. I had seen floods on TV before, with summer cottages being washed away, but at that time, our house was okay.
Interviewer: Did the flood seem scary to you?
G.Itgel-Ochir: It was really scary. My toys were swept away by the water, and it was difficult for me. We had to spend many nights in other people’s homes.
Interviewer: What did the Save the Children staff give you? Have you had a chance to see the school supplies in the bag?
G. Itgel-Ochir: We received new bags, school supplies, shoes, and uniforms. We’re really thankful to those who provided us with these things.
