Butterflies give a sense of freedom and inspiration to study and grow.

As spring arrived in Tes Soum, Zavkhan Province, a new facility for young people was opened. Within the framework of the Butterfly project, a book café was established by Tsenguun G, Nandin-Erdene B, Chinguun D, Azjargal A, and Temuulen E. These students participated in the "Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for The Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia" project's ESEL program. As a team, they developed and submitted their small-scale project proposal, which was selected for funding. The next paragraphs outline their project's baseline, market research, proposal development, funding, and implementation issues.

The students noticed and took into account the fact that there aren't many places for students in rural areas to spend their free time and do their assignments together. As a result, they performed a small scale survey among other students, and the study indicated that more than 90% of students responded that they would want to have a convenient area where they could spend their spare time efficiently for personal development.

Based on the survey results, the team decided to pursue their dream of opening a café. They believed that providing a place where personal space is allowed for leisure time, even if just for a short period of time, would benefit students much in terms of personal development. Their belief was correct, as evidenced by the project implementation. Rather than making money by running a café, they are more satisfied by allowing other students and friends to spend their time efficiently in a cozy environment and by providing positive energy.

The local government allowed students to utilize a large room that used to be a maintenance room for their project implementation and business. The children utilized the initial funds to decorate the cafe and purchase books. The project team decorated the café themselves. Additionally, they gave clients the opportunity to contribute to the interior design by letting them draw and color butterflies that hang from the ceiling. According to team members, butterflies give a sense of freedom and inspiration to study and grow.

Book café charges 800 tugrug (Mongolain national currency as MNT-equivalent to 20 cents in USD) per hour for students to do homework and chat with their friends while drinking complimentary tea. It also includes book reading. The café also offers stationary for sale, which customers can buy and use as needed. When they first opened, they advertised the café price as 1500 MNT (40 cents in USD) per two hours, 2200 MNT (50 cents in USD) per three hours, and 2900 MNT (60 cents in USD) every four hours in an effort to draw in more customers. The team members claimed that this results in the satisfaction of both customers and business owners.

As of June 1st, 2023, 205 people had visited Book Café since it opened on March 9th, 2023.

Students, Tsenguun G, Nandin-Erdene B, Chinguun D, Azjargal A, Temuulen E participated in the ESEL program of the "Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for The Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia" project. As a result, they developed and submitted their small scale project proposal as a team for funding and provided with financial support.

We have learnt a lot from the ESEL program. We placed a greater emphasis on improving our time management and teamwork skills, as well as our capacity to see things from different perspectives. Several obstacles arose throughout the project implementation, including a rise in price and an unanticipated budget for interior design. As a result, they had to minimize item quantities while also purchasing products for the interior. Nonetheless, these problems were surmounted via collaborative efforts. Their lessons learned include the need for teams participating in the ESEL program to estimate expenses while taking risks and market price into account. The ability to listen to each team member, hold a team meeting, and develop a cooperative strategy for overcoming challenges is another crucial component.

There is an official Facebook page for the project. The Youth Development Center of the Authority for Family, Children, and Youth Development in Zavkhan aimag saw their post and responded by sending them books. Students have been greatly motivated by this and have realized how crucial it is to create goals and get started on the tasks necessary to achieve them. Action must be taken in place of thought. There will always be those who understand and support you. Don't give up on your dream, and keep moving forward with determination.

Students can converse with their friends while drinking hot tea and doing homework for only 800 MNT (20 cents in USD) each hour at Book Café.

The Butterfly team has received knowledge, skills, and experience in areas such as project proposal, project implementation, idea experimentation, teamwork, individual tasks, listening skills, self-expression, and public speaking. They would benefit from their new and improved abilities for the rest of their lives.

Stories collected by Dulguun L, a coordinator, Zavkhan branch, Save the Children, Japan