Head of Philanthropy and Major Gifts of Save the Children Sweden visits Mongolia
As a worldwide, non-religious, non-political, and independent children’s rights organization, Save the Children operates in over 120 countries around the globe. Save the Children in Mongolia collaborates with other Save the Children offices in different areas of its mandate.
On July 1, 2024, Mr. Carl von Essen, Head of Philanthropy and Major Gifts of Save the Children Sweden, visited Mongolia and got acquainted with some of the projects and discussed on potential areas of cooperation.
In 2021-2024, Save the Children in Mongolia implemented a project that promotes inclusive education in two target provinces and three districts of Ulaanbaatar city, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The project aimed to advocate inclusive education throughout primary and lower secondary education. Mr. Carl von Essen visited the 37th General Education School in Chingeltei district, where the project was successfully implemented. Under this project, 84 students with special needs in grades 4-5 and 110 students in grades 6–9 from 16 schools in Bayanzurkh, Chingeltei and Songinokhairkhan districts of Ulaanbaatar city, Uvurkhangai and Khovd provinces were involved. Students benefitted from the “Child Development Hall” established under the project and received individualized training and support.
98.6% of the middle grade teachers in the target schools were equipped with inclusive education methods via multiple-level trainings, and 72% have applied the methods of assessment, early detection, individualized training plan development, and evaluation of children with special needs. All parents of children with special needs said they now pay close attention to creating a learning environment that fosters their children’s learning and development.
As well, Mr. Carl von Essen visited other projects areas such as “The 3×3 basketball court” and the “Knowledge room”, implemented by young leaders and ambassadors prepared within the “Enhancing Youth-Led Engagement for Creating an Inclusive and Livable City in Ulaanbaatar Ger Areas” project, executed in 2022-2023. Ms. M.Monkhnaran, beneficiary of the “Youth Ambassador Program” initiated and implemented a “3×3 basketball court” small project together with three other members, and now there is a need to build fences around the court and place long benches.
Mr. Carl von Essen expressed his appreciation for the efforts made to implement these projects and said that he was impressed by the positive impacts on children with disabilities, youth leaders and the broader community. “Children with disabilities feel isolated and vulnerable. It was great to see them being given attention, well taken care of, and having a positive influence on other children. It is wonderful how children learned how to care for each other, help their peers with disabilities, and study together. If I have opportunity, I will definitely come back”, he added.