Since 2006, FXB Switzerland has been operating in Mongolia where it is registered as an international non-governmental organization. In 2025, she accompanied vulnerable children in their educational career.
Context
Mongolia is a landlocked country between Russia in the north and China in the south, with particularly difficult weather conditions. Almost half of the country's population lives in the capital. The rural exodus is thus a major problem in Mongolia, generating iourt districts in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. Regrettably, migrant populations have very few work opportunities and live in extremely precarious health conditions.
L-aimag Dornogovic, a province south-east of the Gobi Desert, is limited to a vast flat and desolate expanse. More than 23% of its 67,000 inhabitants live in great poverty, with an unemployment rate of 69%. The majority of families, nomadic and sedentary, depend on breeding (goats, sheep, cows, horses and camels).
Since 2016, FXB's main objective has been to help families in this desert region create or seize opportunities in their own region rather than migrate to Ulaanbaatar. FXB has conducted three VillageFXB economic and community development projects that have significantly improved the economic and social conditions and quality of life of over 1,500 adults and children.
Our action in Mongolia
Strengthening the educational skills and well-being of children in Sainshand and Zuunbayan
The Covid-19 crisis has profoundly affected the learning of children, particularly because of two years of distance learning. This situation has led to an increase in the time spent on screens, a deterioration in language skills and a deterioration in psychological well-being. These difficulties have been further exacerbated by family contexts sometimes characterized by alcoholism and domestic violence. In this context, improving access to books and promoting reading appear to be essential levers to compensate for educational gaps and provide children with a supportive and fulfilling environment.
To respond to these challenges, FXB has launched a partnership with Magic Libraries Foundation, giving birth in 2023 to a project to promote reading in the vicinity of Sainshand and Zuunbayan. This project is based on two complementary infrastructures: a physical library in Sainshand, which provides 1,200 books, and a mobile library that enables children in nomadic communities to reach in the desert, thereby reducing inequalities in access to educational resources. These structures are not limited to the lending of books alone, but also offer educational and playful activities aimed at strengthening children's educational and social skills.
Initial evaluations show significant results. Access to books has improved considerably, with nearly 600 young people enrolled in the library and participating in reading awareness activities. The involvement of young people has been strengthened through reading clubs, drawing and writing competitions and school activities, thus contributing to their intellectual and social development.
This project is part of a particularly difficult socio-economic context. By providing access to reading, it is not just a matter of providing books, but of providing essential support for the personal and social development of children. Reading allows them to overcome educational inequalities, to project themselves into a more serene future and to develop their imagination, despite an environment often marked by insecurity and isolation.
Our impact in Mongolia
gradually emerged from poverty to achieve economic and social autonomy through their participation in three VillageFXB projects from 2016 to 2025.
benefit from our activities related to strengthening educational skills through reading.
FXB Mongolia has been recognized for its excellence on several occasions, receiving in 2017 the "Mongolian Quality Award" as well as the title "Best Manager" for its local Director, awarded by the National Committee for Business and Development in Mongolia, and in 2019 the award of the "Best NGO of the Dornogovaïmag" in the category "Development".
Life course
A few years ago, Erdenebaatar and his wife, Tumendemel, were struggling to support their families. Without a stable job, they stayed at home to look after their three children: their two eldest sons, attending primary school, and their youngest, enrolled in kindergarten. Their financial situation was precarious, and the future seemed uncertain.
In 2022, their lives took a decisive turn when they joined the VillageFXB project. Encouraged by the accompaniment and training received, they decided to take charge of their destiny. Tumendembrel used his new skills to open a hair salon, while Erdenebaatar obtained a temporary job as a driver.
Their membership in a Community savings and credit group has offered them much more than just financial support. They found a network both professional and friendly, while becoming aware of the importance of saving. Thanks to this new stability, the family was able to make its first major investment: the purchase of land on which they are now growing potatoes, after completing agricultural training provided by FXB. Their first harvest of 30 kilos was an immense source of pride.
But beyond the economic aspect, the project and network of VillageFXB has become a pillar of their daily lives. The couple actively participate in community activities, finding in these meetings valuable motivation and support. They share their experience with other families, encouraging them to follow the same path towards autonomy. Their children, too, flourish fully, eager to take part in the activities proposed by FXB, such as reading and chess games.
Today, the family is no longer content to survive: it builds its future with confidence. Their journey strongly illustrates that, thanks to determination and adapted support, it is possible to transform his life and to envisage a better future.