His Excellency Mr. Masaru Igawahara, Ambassador of Japan, visited the project sites

Save the Children Japan in Mongolia has been implemented the “ project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, since March 2024. This project aims to strengthen the capacity of local government service organisations-such as family health centres, branch commissions, kindergartens-and raise awareness among parents, caregivers, and the wider public in three target districts of Ulaanbaatar city, as well as  Bayankhongor and Selenge provinces. Its focus is on the  early identification of developmental disabilities in young children and the provision of comprehensive development support.

On 9 April 2025, His Excellency Mr. Masaru Igawahara, Ambassador of Japan, visited the project sites, kindergarten No. 32 and the “Achlakhui” Family Health Centre in Bayanzurkh district, to review its progress and outcomes.

Mrs.Lkhagvasuren, director of kindergarten No. 32 in Bayanzurkh district, presented the project’s implementation and outcomes to the visiting delegation. The kindergarten currently has 72 teachers and staff and provides services to 661 children in 17 classes. Since the launch of the project in the kindergarten, staff have received training in methods for working with children with disabilities, significantly increasing their knowledge and skills. They have also begun training parents to shift their perceptions of disability. As a result, parents have increasingly applied to enrol  and diagnose children with special needs.

As part of the project, a “Child Development Room” was prepared, furnished with appropriate materials including books, teaching aids, and furniture. Additionally, equipment such as computers, laptops, and printers was supplied to support teaching staff, alongside relevant training sessions. Infrastructure improvement were also undertaken, including the installation of ramps, assistive devices, and accessible restrooms to better support  the learning and development of children with disabilities. Today, one of the kindergarten children’s favourite playrooms has been transformed into a “Child Development Room.” As a result, eight children with disabilities are now learning and thriving in an inclusive kindergarten environment alongside their peers.

At the “Achlakhui” family health centre in Bayanzurkh district, which also received a visit from Ambassador Igawahara Masaru, the project is contributing to the provision of primary health care services to over 13,000 residents of the 8th khoroo of Bayanzurkh district.

Under the project, doctors and staff at the family health centre have been trained in the early identification of developmental delays and in providing appropriate developmental support to young children. A new room was equipped for growth monitoring, developmental assessments, and health check-ups. Since the project began, 157 children aged 9, 18, and 36 months have undergone these assessments. Among them, six children were identifies with acute malnutrition and 13 children with growth or language delays. Early  diagnosis and timely follow-up care have helped prevent long-term complications. Dr Myagmarsuren, a doctor at the “Achlakhui” family health centre, shared during her presentation that “The implementation of the project has enabled us to assess the development of young children more effectively and enhanced the knowledge and skills of our doctors and medical staff. Furthermore, parents’ satisfaction with the services has improved, and their understanding of child development has significantly increased.”