May Day

Hiya hiya,

My internet is being dumb so I hope this posts....

Last week Jesse and I, along with our counterparts, participated in a Radio Broadcast training. It was really good, we learned how to write and read for the radio and at the end of the week produced a ten minute spot. Our group focused on Vit. A, and the other group teen smoking. The local FM station has agreed to air them. It was an intense week with lots of homework, felt like school all over again, up till midnight and then up early to finish reading. We completed the program however with a Radio Broadcast Standard Competancy level. So we are excited and more importantly our counterparts are excited at using the radio to advance our causes.

This week we are playing catch up and trying to get things in order before we are gone for seven weeks. We go to UB at the middle of the month for the one year health check up and then strait on to Darkhan for our Training of Trainers and to welcome the 17s. I am on the list for new 17s to email with questions. Lots of excited trainees on their way out. They are increasing the program this year to 65 people. Should be cool. Our site will be getting two new TEFLs.

Last week it snowed twice, more snow than we got the whole "winter" and today it is beautiful outside. Winter is like crazy mongolia winter and then spring is like a seattle winter but instead of lots of rain it is wind. However we had our first fire free night in over 8 months on Saturday. Winter is so long and then suddenly it is summer. There are a few green pieces of grass too.

Jesse's finger is healing nicely. Only a little scar I think but if you look at it strait on his finger is a new shape now. My cough is nearly gone, nothing like coughing for a month strait.

As for Byamba, her puppy playmate went to live in the hodoo so she was a little bored outside for the last week or so. Then on Sat. she found a new friend. We thought B was big but this new cat is three of her. SO big. Now they hang out in the yard and jump on the ger and chase bugs and such. Unfortunately the other kitty is in heat so she is a little annoying. Doesn't know what to do with B but keeps hoping she will get lucky. Our poor fixed kitty has no idea what is going on.

Well that is all from the LoarMongolia crew, for now. Cheers!

beautiful day

It is so nice out today. The sun is shining AND producing heat. Amazing.

Some exciting things to report this week:
Health- Jesse did a doozy to his finger the other day chopping wood the fault of either the axe or broken glass on the ground. Nasty gross looking thing that is still bleeding two days later. We called the medical office but there is nothing they can do (doesn't require stiches or anything) so he is just keeping it clean and wrapped. Good news, he can keep the finger, bad news will leave big scar. : ) I have been sick for about two weeks with some dumb lung thing. But am on the mends now and should be fine by the weekend.

Summer- Jesse and I were both accepted as trainers for the month of June so we will be imparting all sorts of wisdom on the new M17 group. HA! We are excited about it. We will be attending the Training of Trainers in late May and then train in Darkhan and surrounding areas in June. So it should be a busy but nice way to spend a month.

We are also getting ready to say goodbye to our site mates as everyone will be leaving in June. We have had a lot of fun with them and will miss them alot. We should be getting 2 M17s to replace them so we are crossing our fingers for cool kids.

We then go from Darkhan to UB to pick up my mom and Ken for two weeks of fun. We are planning on doing Nadaam and the gobi (dino bones) and some places around our aimag. Should be cool because we haven't really had a chance to explore around mongolia much.

Work- I have been out of work sick off an on for the last two weeks so not much to report on my end. Next week we are attending a radio training to write radio spots, should be cool. Jesse is crazy busy however. Doing some work with the Dairy market trying to make it safer. Worked with an Australian guy this week and will be busy with that till we leave. Yesterday he took a day trip with a camera crew to check out sanitation of children's places in some area soums for a TV spot. One place was really nice and the other not so nice so it should be an interesting comparison.

I think that is all I have in the way of updates. Hope all is well in your world.

Cheers!

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!