Over the past year a total of 12 youth development centers have opened nationwide. The centers aim to enhance the life skills of youth and young adults ages 15-35, which will in turn equip them with the ability to claim their rights and exercise their civic responsibilities. The life skills program includes targeted gender based violence prevention education, for youth, as well as educators. Youth friendly sexual reproductive health services, all of which emphasize outreach to young men and women. Youth development centers serve as a delivery vehicle for all project services, and also offers a range of skills development services, such as career planning, and healthy leisure activities.
Prior to working at the YDC I had worked with closely with the UNFPA Govi-Altai SRH project officer Bayanjargal Duger, teaching life skills to youth in the countryside. At the provincial Children’s Department, I’d worked to established a social integration and education program for youth with disabilities living in Govi-Altai. My work with these organizations led to my opportunity to work at the YDC, and I’m grateful for the chance to continuing building my relationship with these organizations.
Goal of the Govi-Altai YDC:
Young men and women with strengthened life skills for positive, responsible and self-reliant behavior.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased availability of life skills education for young men and women.
Gender based violence prevention model institutionalized and capacity of educational staff built to reduce gender based violence and foster positive gender relations.
Improved and extended provision of youth friendly sexual reproductive health services.
Policies, behavior change communications and advocacy in place to address youth issues.
Project period:
April 2013-March 2017
Total National Project Budget:
11 millon USD
Under the direct supervision of the national youth development program officer, and Peace Corps Mongolia, I have been tasked with the following duties:
Collaborate with national counterparts of the YDC on implementing community mobilization activities, community based behavioral change communication interventions, life skills based sexual reproductive education, and gender based violence prevention education programs.
Work with national counterparts of the YDC in the development and roll-out of community based activities, interest clubs, trainings, and reach outs to local youths.
Working as a volunteer at the Govi-Altai YDC over the past 7 months has truly been a formative opportunity. I’ve been able to channel my vast experience at site working with youth and counterpart development, towards building the skills and capacity of my counterparts at the YDC. Assisting my counterparts with everything from interior design planning and program development, to marketing, lesson planning, and organizing events has been such a blessed and fulfilling experience.
In addition to life skills, SRH, and GBV prevention trainings, Govi-Altai youth also have the opportunity to participate in the following club activities: Book club, English Club, Dance Club, Movie Club, Debate Club, Guitar Club, Good Fathers Club (a peer support group for young fathers), Hiking Club, Cooking Club, and Fitness Club.
Ribbon Cutting |
"Y- Peer" SRH Peer Education Program Meeting |
Y-Peer Youth Educators |
Govi-Altai YDC Youth Council Meeting |
YDC Lounge/Game Room/Library |
Opening Day Youth Masters of Ceremonies |
Y-Peer and Youth Council |
Mongolian "Horse Fiddle" performances |
Opening Day group photo |
My counterpart Erkhemeh being interview about the opening of our center |
Y-Peer meeting |
Youth Council |
My site mates Lauren and Kiowa, stopping by and showing their support on opening day. |
YDC Lounge |
Training Room |
Counseling Room |
UNFPA YDC Program Manager Bataa Chulunbatar giving a speech on opening day. |
Mongolian Horse Fiddle Performance to commemorate the opening of our center |
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