Living On Purpose: Govi-Altai UNFPA Youth Development Center

As a 3rd year Peace Corps Mongolia service extension volunteer, the goal of my work at the Govi-Altai Youth Development Center, is to assist UNFPA and the Government of Mongolia in building the resilience of underserved youth by reducing their vulnerability in the face of rapid social and economic change. The project primarily focuses on youth in mining areas, young men and women in urban areas that act as feeder hubs for the mining industry, and UNFPA’s focus provinces in the west.

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

Our center finally opened 2 weeks ago on Monday March 9th, 2015, after months of planning, budget preparation and looking for a building to house the center. Representatives from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and UNFPA arrived to Altai, to participate in our centers grand opening. Speeches were given by the local vice governor and UNFPA representative. There were also various performances from Govi-Altai youth, and a flash mob dance performed by the Govi-Altai YDC youth council. Seeing both my own ideas, as well as the ideas of my counterparts come to fruition has been worthwhile. The opening of our center was a success, and I look forward to the work that lies ahead during my remaining time in Mongolia.