Shout Out!

Hi ya’ll, I wanted to fill you in on a project I am doing and give you an opportunity to get involved if you are interested.

When I first got here my English skills were in high demand. Everyone wants to learn English and everyone wanted help to learn. Children and adults alike were eager for lessons. However I was reluctant to dedicate too much time to teaching English because 1) I am not a TEFL volunteer, 2) I didn’t want them to think that was all I could do, 3) I wasn’t that comfortable with the idea of teaching English because in some weird way it felt like proselytizing, the opposite of what I wanted to do. However, after many discussions with my counterparts and more careful observation I have come to realize that high English language ability opens the door to many opportunities. For example, English speakers get higher paying jobs and are able to search the internet for information or grant opportunities for their organizations. Mongolians are isolated from the rest of the world by their language. English helps to create partnerships and provide opportunities. So who am I to deny people who want to learn an opportunity?

Therefore, on the request of my supervisor, I am starting an English Literacy Resource Room. It is geared towards English learners, those who want to learn, and teachers. This is where you come in. We need books. Our goal is to open the center in September-October 2006 (the start of the new school year) with around 500 books. If you have children’s books or young adult literature (between the US grade reading equivalents of K-6), magazines, maps, dictionaries, teaching materials, or anything you think children would like to read send it my way. I say children but it is ages 8-18. Beyond books the center also needs literacy improvement tools like a CD or cassette player with headphones to listen to songs or speaking programs (like books on tape). Posters for the walls and holiday decorations are also appreciated. If you want to make a monetary contribution it will go towards tables, chairs, and bookshelves. A table and chair combo costs around $25 USD. Please email my mom, florence, for information on where to send a check...she will deposit in our account and we will withdraw equivelent in Tugreks here.

Once you have books and whatnot assembled send it via M-bags (you can ask your local post office more about this). The M-bags take 3-6 months to reach Mongolia but only cost $3 per pound. Time line wise if you send books by May or early June they should get here in time for the grand opening.

As we get things together I will post pictures and let you know our progress. Let me know if you have any questions.

The mailing address is:
Uvurkhangai aimag 212900
Arvaikheer city
P.O Box 626
Mongolia
Jesse and Sierra Loar

I appreciate your support, this project will not be successful without you. Thanks for all you do!