Butterflies Will Make You Feel Free and Live Your Dreams

In the spring, a new service center called the “Book Cafe” opened in Tes soum, Zavkhan province. The cafe was established by students G.Tsenguun, B.Nandin-Erdene, D.Chinguun, A. Azjargal, and E. Temuulen through their “Butterfly” project. These students participated in the ESEL training of the “Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for the Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia” project, where they formed a team, developed their business ideas, presented them in a subgrant competition, and received funding.

Let me share how they conducted their research, wrote their project proposal, secured funding, and overcame the challenges they faced. The students conducted a study after noticing that students in remote rural soums often lack comfortable spaces to spend their free time and study together. Most respondents expressed a need for such a space to spend their time more productively and focus on personal development. In response, the “Butterfly” team decided to bring their business idea to life. They believed that creating a personal space for students would positively contribute to their development. This proved to be the right decision. Members of the “Butterfly” project team shared that they find more satisfaction in bringing comfort and positive experiences to their peers than in making a profit from their micro-business.

Project Soum Level Council (SLC) of the project provided students with the opportunity to use a large room in a utility building, laying the foundation for their small business. The first round of project funding was used to renovate the space and purchase books for reading in the café. The project team introduced an interactive element that invited customers to contribute to the space’s transformation. Visitors were given the opportunity to paint butterflies, which were hung on the walls and ceilings, offering a unique experience. This initiative was separate from the space renovation, and the butterflies symbolized freedom, serving as an inspiration for children to embrace learning and personal growth.

                   

At the Book Cafe, students pay 800 MNT per hour to do their homework, enjoy free hot tea, and socialize with friends. They can also pick up a new book to read during their visit. Additionally, students working on their homework can purchase notebooks and pencils from the café’s stationery corner if they run out of supplies. To attract more regular customers, the café introduced promotional pricing. For example, they offer 1,500 MNT for 2 hours, 2,200 MNT for 3 hours, and 2,900 MNT for 4 hours. As a result, both the service provider and the customers have been satisfied with the arrangement.

A total of 205 people have been served at the “Book Café” since March 9, 2023.

“We gained valuable knowledge from the ESEL training. We learned how to improve our time management skills, how to work as a team, and developed the ability to anticipate unexpected challenges from different perspectives,” said the project team.

During the implementation of their project, they faced challenges such as fluctuations in the prices of goods they needed to purchase, which forced them to reduce the number of items they had initially planned to buy. They also encountered unplanned expenses for interior decoration, but the team managed to handle this by making smart decisions. The team members demonstrated that by making realistic financial calculations, listening to each other’s opinions, and discussing solutions collaboratively while developing the project proposal, that any difficulties could be overcome.

The team also manages a Facebook page. When the Youth Development Center of the Department of Family, Children, and Youth Development in the Zavkhan province capital enthusiastically supported them by collecting and donating books, they gratefully accepted the gift. The team realized that if they are brave enough to pursue their goals, many people will offer support and understanding—they just need to keep fighting for their dreams.

The “Butterfly” team gained a wealth of knowledge from the ESEL training, including how to implement subgrants, work effectively in a team, understand their responsibilities, listen to others, express themselves clearly, and remain open-minded. All of these skills will serve as a valuable intellectual investment as they grow and begin their professional careers.