Artist of the week April 15-22: Jimmy Needham

So glad I heard about Jimmy Needham before I left the states. I would have to say he's the Jason Mraz of Christian Contemporary. The album Not without Love released in 2008 is my favorite by far and the track "Being Small" is always on repeat. Definitely check him out if you haven't heard of him.

PEPFAR Seminar 2013

PEPFAR (U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world and prevent the transmission of the virus through education. As a Peace Corps Health Extension Volunteer, my primary focus is to aid in the development of public health initiatives here in Mongolia. In cooperation with my host country agency and counterparts, we are able to promote healthy behavior and increase knowledge on disease transmission, prevention, and treatment; to build the capacity of community members, health workers, and organizations to promote and deliver evidence-based health services; to strengthen linkages between communities, organizations, and health facilities; and to help families and communities acquire and maintain supplies, equipment, and structures that reduce disease transmission and improve health.

We recently held a 3 day PEPFAR seminar in Altai, Govi-Altai, in which we targeted secondary school dorm room teachers from Hovd, Bayankhongor and Altai province. The teachers were educated on sexual reproductive health facilitation methodology, in an effort to conduct their own trainings effectively upon returning to their province. Peace Corps Mongolia life skills book 11 was used during the seminar and the teachers were each given one of their own to use during practice facilitation sessions. The seminar was an overall success and the vast majority of trainings went overtime simply because this topic was new and interesting for so many students, they didn't want them to end. We hope to conduct a similar training to this one next year. For more information about PEPFAR here's a link to their website PEPFAR.

PC Mongolia Life Skills Book 11

 

Day 1: Facilitation methodology training for teachers

Facilitators Zorigoo (PC Mongolia Health Program Director) and Nemekah (Master Facilitator)

Dorm Room Teachers

Day 2: Teachers practice facilitation with 15 secondary school students

Day 2: Condom Demonstration

Day 2: Student Activities

Day 2: Student Activities

Day 2: Student Activities

Day 2: Student Activities

Day 3: Training Session

Day 3: Feedback Session with teachers

Day 3 : Feedback Session

Training Group Photo

Group Photo

Group Photo

Shin Jil 2013

Yes I know its almost May, and yet here I am posting about New Years. Well I stumbled across the pictures in my photo library and decided to share them with you all. It's the Health Department's annual New Years Party or "Shin Jil", and need I say it was eventful! We did it all, secret Santa, waltzing, singing and a party wouldn't be a party with out a couple breakouts or two of gangnam style (Thanks PSY). Everyone came dressed to impress, at one point it felt like prom or ball. Nevertheless I had an amazing and memorable time.

 

 

Quote of the week April 15-21

Ski Trip

Hey Guys! Some friends and I recently went on a ski trip here in Mongolia. There's an amazing place by the name of "Sky Resort" in the capital of Ulan Bator. They had everything from skiing and snowboarding to tobogganing and cross country skiing. It had been a while since my last adventure on the slopes but I eventually got the hang of it :)

The Lift

Lunch with the Ambassador

My Counterpart Muhkbaatar and I recently had the opportunity to have lunch with US Ambassador to Mongolia, Piper Anne Wind Campbell. Madame Ambassador was recently sworn in on August 6, 2012. She was a pleasure to meet and I enjoyed our conversation. She's a native of Buffalo,NY so we had quite a bit to talk about since I'm from nearby Rochester.

From left to right: (Seated) Peace Corps Mongolia Country Director, Darlene Grant, US Ambassador to Mongolia Piper Anne Wind Campbell, PCV Eva Riddick. (Standing directly behind me) HCA Counterpart Muhkbaatar Choijamts.

Muhkbaatar, Madame Ambassador and I.

Tsagaan Sar 2013

Customary Greeting  "Zolgokh"

Tsagaan Sar or "White Month," is the Mongolian New Year based on the Lunar Calender. The date of Tsagaan sar, depends on the phases of the moon, and falls anywhere between the end of January and early March. The Calender uses a 12 base system, with the century consisting of 12 years, the year, of 12 months, and the day, of 12 hours. The years bear the names of animals (Mouse, Cow, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey. Rooster, Dog, and Pig). The Mongolian people judge the coming year by the animal name it bears. This year marked the Year of the snake. 

In towns and cities, Tsagaan Sar is celebrated for 1-3 days, in the countryside the festivities continue for about a week, sometimes until the end of February. Guest are free to come and go as they please at any time of the day. Upon arrival the guest greets the host family with the traditional ritual of "Zolgokh," which is when the eldest is first greeted by the youngest. The older person puts his or her hands palms down on the hands of the younger one and both exchange traditional well wishes and rub cheeks. The Mongolian traditional kiss is a smell on either side of the face. Families serve guest with plenty of meals:buzz/bansh (meat dumplings), salads, milk tea etc. After which families give a small gift to guest, which is typically a cue to leave. 

I had the pleasure of visiting many homes this year. I've included some pictures below of our time together. I hope you enjoy them :)

A typical table setting

Jargal, her husband and I in traditional Mongolian attire.

My supervisor Deorge in the pink deel and his wife Tungaa in the blue, at their home.

From Left to Right: JCS missionaries Magda (The Netherlands), Byron and Sondra (USA), Me and Vivian (Australia).

Us again with Urangoo.