Entrepreneur Club Members Uniting Desires, Dreams, and Goals
Within the “Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for the Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia” project implemented by Save the Children, 41 Entrepreneur Clubs were established across the target soums of 5 provinces. One of these clubs is the Entrepreneur Club located at the secondary school with advanced educational programs in Kharkhorin soum, Uvurkhangai province.
These students, members of the club, share a common aspiration, goal, dream, and interest. Motivated to contribute positively to their peers, community, and society, they strive to create something they can be proud of. Their journey began with the ESEL program, which equipped them with invaluable skills and knowledge including teamwork, self-expression, and understanding others, which are essential for individuals navigating an era of change and reform.
Save the Children implemented successfully the Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for the Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia project at the secondary school in Kharkhorin soum. This school is known for its advanced educational programs. After finishing the ESEL program, some students decided to start the Entrepreneur Club on their own. The club is made up of students from grades 9 to 12.
Club leader, 12th grade student B. Bundmaa: Parents support us
First, we held a training session to inform parents about the ESEL program, which was part of Save the Children’s project called “Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for the Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia.” We shared what we learned in the program and introduced our club. Additionally, in 2024, we saw an increase in the number of club members. To foster teamwork and unity among members, we organized the Team bonding events with the financial support of the project. These events were successful in promoting learning and information exchange among club members. Parents of club members have expressed positive feedback about their children’s self-development through the club.
The Team Bonding events they organized played a crucial role in fostering unity and trust among club members. It provided an opportunity for members to deepen their connections, create a positive atmosphere, and build lasting memories together. Moreover, the event facilitated teamwork and problem-solving skills, empowering members to tackle challenges collectively. Members of the Entrepreneur Club have several advantages over others. They have sharpened their skills through the ESEL program, gained knowledge in finance and business, developed project proposals, secured grants, and are actively implementing their business ideas.
The Entrepreneur Club is actively involved in various activities focused on self-development and addressing school and community issues. For instance, they are planning to organize the “Magic Land Fundraising” campaign in Uvurkhangai province this summer. Additionally, the school supported the “Bullying Should Not Spread” campaign and promoted the what3words application to residents. Moreover, information leaflets containing new English words and messages promoting kindness have been placed in the school’s restrooms to benefit children. Given that the club operates on a voluntary basis, member participation is crucial. Therefore, the club assigns different tasks to teams of participants to ensure everyone is involved.
New leader of the club, 9th grade student L. Zolzaya: We encounter very few difficulties.
Members schedule bi-weekly meetings lasting up to 2 hours, during which they collaborate as a team to develop a work plan. Important announcements and information are shared in the Youth Entrepreneur Club social media group. Meetings typically take place in the library or a vacant classroom. Taking into account factors like funding and time, they select tasks they can manage. The club encounters few obstacles. Updates on ongoing activities are regularly published on the school’s website.
Since some members of the Entrepreneur Club are graduating students, it was decided to appoint new leaders and deputy leaders from among the remaining members to ensure continuity of activities. After careful consideration of their long-term dedication and consistent effort, students L. Zolzaya and B. Sumyasuren from the 9th grade were chosen as the new leaders and deputy leaders, respectively.
Students at the Kharkhorin soum secondary school with advanced educational programs perceive club members as industrious, socially engaged, and innovative individuals. Projects like Morty, Papertown, Granola, Polypop, and Doctor Colors are being effectively carried out by students who have completed ESEL training at the school. Collaborating with the Morty and Doctor Colors teams, club members organized the event “Let’s Bring Your Beloved Clothes Back to Life.”
In the grant competition held in March 2024, the “Bath Bomb” project proposal, developed by the LYRA team consisting of 9th and 10th-grade students, emerged as the winner. The winning team secured funding of 3.5 million MNT and initiated project activities. Additionally, club members are lending their support to the production of bath bombs and salt as part of the project, as well as assisting in the preparation of packaging boxes.
Social worker N. Dolgorsuren: It is based on member participation
I work as a training facilitator for the Youth Entrepreneur Club, where we carry out our activities based on the interest and engagement of our members. Every October, extracurricular activities kick off in schools. In the autumn of 2022, students formed a club with 11 members. Since then, our membership has steadily grown, and we now have 30 active members. I provide guidance and support to the students as needed. Through active participation in the activities they initiate, the children consistently achieve better results.
The fact that students collaborated with each other to establish the Entrepreneur Club and conduct activities is itself a remarkable achievement and an auspicious beginning.
Interestingly, the term ‘Entrepreneur’ originates from the French verb ‘entreprendre,’ meaning ‘to do or to try.’ Hence, students are actively seeking solutions to the challenges encountered by children, citizens, and society through the clubs they’ve formed.