A Hall of Dreams Created by Entrepreneur Students in Sukhbaatar

Ongon Soum is located in the eastern part of Mongolia, approximately 720 km from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The Soum has a total population of 3.8 thousand people, with over 600 children studying at the secondary school.

Save the Children has been implementing a four-year project, ‘Entrepreneurship-Focused Socio-Emotional Skills for the Most Vulnerable Youth in Rural Mongolia’ at Ongon Soum secondary school, focusing on developing entrepreneurship-focused socio-emotional skills among rural youth.

Recognizing the need for a comfortable environment to foster personal development and learning outside of school hours, a team of high school students from Ongon Soum, including E. Ariun-Erdene, G. Shininnegen, B. Erdenesuvd, B. Zulcetseg, B. Tsogzolmaa, and E. Gansuvd, developed the "Dreamland" project. They utilized the knowledge and skills acquired through the ESEL program and successfully pitched their idea to the project's 'Entrepreneur Seed' small grant, ultimately securing the grant. Their project aims to contribute to the formation of a new generation of students who can express themselves openly, learn independently, and stand out for their knowledge and attitudes.

The school community supported the project by providing a classroom, which the students renovated themselves.

Dreamland offers simple yet valuable products and services. 

The digital corner is equipped with electricity and internet access, allowing students to utilize the online environment at their convenience. Each corner of the hall features tables, chairs, and numerous sockets, providing a comfortable and organized space. The mini library offers a cozy reading environment with modern bestsellers and innovative books. Additionally, a water purifier cylinder is available, and students can enjoy hot coffee and milk. The assembly hall serves as a meeting space for the project team and can also be rented out to other student clubs. Student groups and clubs can use the classroom for their training and activities based on their weekly schedules.

Dreamland offers students the option to read books from the library for 2000 MNT per day or use the classroom for 500 MNT per hour. The classroom has become a favorite spot for students with online electives, providing opportunities to do homework, study online, and enjoy hot milk and sea buckthorn during class breaks. The project team members not only cater to high school students but also engage middle school students through discussions, workshops, and English-subtitled film screenings. Despite their busy schedules, the team effectively utilizes the soft skills of time management, planning, communication, and listening learned from the ESEL program to successfully carry out their activities.

The goal of the "Dreamland" team is to create a comfortable and clean environment, fostering positive relationships and spreading new attitudes and knowledge. Each project member has a different role within the team. E. Ariun-Erdene handles communication, G. Shininnegen manages daily income calculation, B. Erdenesuvd focuses on involving students in activities and organizing events in the hall, B. Zultsetseg and B. Tsogzolmaa handle depreciation, and E. Gansuvd is responsible for room furniture.

The students, who are all members of the same class, have had a significant impact on the project by fostering a positive environment for exchanging ideas, discussing challenges, and finding solutions throughout the implementation process.

G. Shininnegen emphasized the team's approach, saying, "When we were developing the project, we envisioned everything in the best possible way, channeling the imagination of a child. Although there were difficulties in implementation, we overcame them through daily discussions and finding the right solutions. I realized that collaborative ideas and cooperation are vital in any endeavor."

Although the project team members have now graduated, they have entrusted the responsibility of running and continuing the project to the members of the school's entrepreneurship club.

In this way, the students have left behind a dream environment in their home school, which will be carried forward by future entrepreneurial students.