Volunteering in Mongolia

To search for projects currently available in Mongolia please visit the VFP Open Projects Directory.

 Back to VFP Home Page

	“Although Mongolian late winter was still extremely cold, from the people I was able to meet, I always felt warmness around me in Mongolia. I have had a blessed life and am a happy person, but this experience was the most valuable of my life. One of the volunteers became like my sister. The children at the orphanage are so beautiful and full of energy and love and extremely talented. During my two weeks at the orphanage, so many little hands held mine and I got many, many hugs. They decorated us with friendship bracelets and necklaces. Their outpouring of kindness made me feel that they were helping me more than I could help them. I will absolutely go to Mongolia to do this again as soon as I can.” Amie Allison ~2009
	International Volunteers at a project working with orphans. Keith Dokho / Mongolia ~ 2008
	"The Mongolian children of the orphanage were wonderful as you may have guessed.  They were eager for attention and well behaved given the circumstances."  Keith Dokho / Mongolia ~ 2008
	Working with Children. A. Lee / Mongolia ~ 2005
	"My favorite memories of the work camp involve spending time with the children in the field, singing traditional songs every evening, having dinner with the other volunteers, and taking part in activities such as birthday parties and sporting events. After the work camp was finished and the volunteers returned to the city, a small group of us visited the actual orphanage to say a final goodbye to the children we had shared the past two weeks of our lives with. While there, we were greeted warmly by dozens of children who benefited from our hard work and my eyes were opened to the difference we had made while on the farm. I am very proud of my efforts, and I look forward to having more opportunities like this in the future." Tony Roth / Mongolia ~ 2005
	Volunteers working with kids in the fields at a camp near Buhug river. Qian Situ / Mongolia ~ 2005
	Working at an orphanage. "You have to be flexible, have a little self confidence & be able to live with complete strangers who may barely speak English. After a day or two I became comfortable as we all adjusted to life in camp." Sulaman Shah / Mongolia ~ 2003
	"At an orphanage farm in Mongolia, volunteers worked alongside children tending the crops. "We were completely cut off from the modern world during those two weeks but in between the beautiful green mountains of Khandgait and the kids we found happiness in abundance!" Li Lian Lau / Mongolia ~ 2002
	Volunteers in Mongolia constructed houses for orphans and street children. "I actually find myself cherishing the memories (good and bad) from the experience. I'm proud of what I did." Valerie Yerger / Mongolia ~ 2001
	President of NICE Japan with volunteers in Mongolia. Mongolia / 1998

“As far as the meals go, it was not that difficult to manage. There were two vegetarians (including my sister) who were able to eat and be comfortable. We had cooking teams of about 4-5 who would take care of the lunch and dinner for one day. We were provided with carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, tomato paste, eggs, meat, cabbage, few spices, noodles, rice, radishes, red and green bell peppers to cook with. It was interesting, because every day we would have such different food, because of all the different ethnicities of volunteers there. Many people made soup or stews, dumplings, rice, potato pancakes- everyone had to be creative, but there was always enough food for 25 volunteers. For breakfast, we had chocolate cream, bread, biscuits and cookies. Many volunteers brought other types of food and always shared. My sister and I brought 2 pound bags of dried beans and were able to use that when we cooked on cooking teams.” Dayanita Ramesh ~ 2009

"The international group I worked with was a great bunch of volunteers.  It was an array of cultures and backgrounds but we meshed real well.  The Mongolian children of the orphanage were wonderful as you may have guessed.  They were eager for attention and well behaved given the circumstances. " Keith Dokho / Mongolia ~ 2008

"Overall, the Mongolia camp I attended was a fantastic experience. The local coordinator, Baatar, was very attentive to the volunteers' needs and did his best to ensure that we all had a positive experience. I am extremely pleased that I chose to participate in this camp and I hope that I am able to attend another camp in Mongolia in the future." Dawn Murphy / Mongolia - 2006

"My VFP experience, at an orphans camp in Outer Mongolia, was not only rewarding -as a true, one of a kind experience- but enriching. This volunteer opportunity provided me with new, international friendships, a learning and teaching experience, and many heart-warming memories. Under the given circumstances, the children were fantastic. Everyday they were fully willing to participate in organized games and English lessons, both of which were organized by volunteers. The games were organized by six French Scouts -who were terrific- before and after morning and afternoon tea. These games (mini-olympics, octopus, frisbee, dodgeball etc..) were highly successful and greatly missed after their departure. My sister, mother, and myself (Canadians) were responsible for the English lessons held each day. As well, there was a young American girl -also associated with VFP- who assisted us. There were 3 lessons each day; a boys, girls, and advanced class. The food and accommodation was harsh, but livable. My group had the privilege of mattresses, while the French had to make do with odd spring sets. As well, the rooms proved to get very cold at night.. However, they did provide a roof over our heads and a quiet environment! Washing also proved difficult, as there was little water in the stream.. For a short while, there was also a water shortage and I quickly grew sick of salty tea and milk. But at the end of the day it was all worthwhile, as a one of a kind, unforgettable experience." Emma Houston / Mongolia - 2005

"…the workcamp was an amazing experience. One thing that did surprise me was how sad I was to say goodbye on the last day. Even though the camp was only two weeks long, I became very engaged with the future of the children and the country. It sounds trite, but it truly changed the way I look at the world and my role in it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this program! So many volunteer programs are prohibitively expensive. Please keep doing what you're doing, giving people on a budget a way to serve!" James Brennan / Mongolia - 2005

"Entering the work camp on the first day I was slightly overwhelmed by the thought of working on a farm with 15 teenage boys for two weeks. What would the work be like? Would the kids be more than I could handle? How will I remember all of these names? I hoped for the best, unloaded all of my things, and before I knew it I was in the middle of a Frisbee game, a soccer match, and wrestle mania. At that moment I knew it was going to be a really great experience. As the days passed, everyone at the camp got to know each other and I became comfortable with this new way of living. We all worked hard in the morning and evening, yet there was enough free time for us to really get to know all of the children and other volunteers. My favorite memories of the work camp involve spending time with the children in the field, singing traditional songs every evening, having dinner with the other volunteers, and taking part in activities such as birthday parties and sporting events. After the work camp was finished and the volunteers returned to the city, a small group of us visited the actual orphanage to say a final goodbye to the children we had shared the past two weeks of our lives with. While there, we were greeted warmly by dozens of children who benefited from our hard work and my eyes were opened to the difference we had made while on the farm. I am very proud of my efforts, and I look forward to having more opportunities like this in the future." Tony Roth / Mongolia - 2005

Back to top