Week 5 English coordination
















Monday and Tuesday this week was spent visiting local Universities and Secondary schools who have requested English teachers.  We have been asked to coordinate the teaching efforts here in Mongolia. These meetings were organized and translated by our new colleague, Khongorzul Enkhsaikhan (Zula).  She is amazing and very hard working.  This wouldn't have happened without her.  Every place we visited, the entire staff, were over the top grateful for the service these teachers render.  These are amazing times in this beautiful country for these beautiful people.  We even got a sneak preview of their competition song.
There was no school on Friday as it was a national holiday, election day.  Some businesses were closed, and everyone was encouraged to vote.



Cursive is taught and used at every level.  I couldn't resist taking a photo of the writing.  If I would have had to guess the age of the author, it wouldn't have been this beautiful second grader.





Several of the schools were in the Ger (yurt) Districts of the city.  You can see that the Ger's are mixed in with the houses and most are families sharing the same property.  There is no way we could have found our way without the driving abilities of this amazing human being.  Gan-Erdene took us everywhere, and I might add without incident given the traffic.  








We woke up to snow on the mountains this week.  The past few days have been beautiful, but things are changing rapidly.  The Larch trees are turning.  They are an evergreen type of tree, but the needles turn a bright yellow and fall off.





The herders are moving their animals around, right across the main highway as we wait.  Reminded us of the annual cattle drives at home.  There are about three times more animals in the country than people.  The big five, sheep/goats (they get lumped together), horses, cows, yaks and camels.  We are still looking for the yaks.


I will forever be grateful for bales and never complain about having to buck them as a kid.  This is all loose hay, cut and loaded by hand.  I hope it stays on until they get to where they're going.


We visited with a wonderful new friend today at church, using our Google Translate of course.  Sukhbaatar is 81 years old and full of love.  We shared about family, church and life and shared smiles, laughs and even a few tears.  Today General Conference was broadcast in Mongolian to the members, so we were able to put in our earbuds and listen along, in English of course. 



Lastly, Sister Leavitt found a kindred spirit today also.  They both share short thumbs. Brachydactyly Type D, sisters. 

We are enjoying our time and have been very busy.  We think of you all often and hope you stay healthy and happy.  

Khairtai Shuu!




Comments

  1. Brenda LeavittOctober 13, 2024 at 5:31 PM

    Look forward to your happenings and adventures! Love the chior singing...beautiful!!💕

    ReplyDelete

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