Executive Summary:

History shows that the development of any country is hindered by corruption and dishonesty. Mongolia is developing economically, but much of the wealth has been siphoned off. As the post-communist country rebuilds, many are aware that an entire generation has little sense of personal integrity or ethics in both business or personal life. Unless this changes, Mongolia is at risk of becoming like many other developing countries, whose wealth is squandered through greed and corruption. This has become a concern for government leaders, teachers and families.

To address this, the Ministry of Education stipulates that ethics be a part of the national curriculum. However, no official curriculum is available to teachers. An Upright Citizens Initiative by the Mongolian Government also failed due to lack of funding. Responding to a government request, Asian Outreach Mongolia developed the LifeSkills Program to fill this void in Mongolia’s classrooms. The LifeSkills character values are drawn from Judeo-Christian ethics and address the specific cultural issues most relevant for developing values in children.

Since 2012, the project has run in classrooms in Nalaikh town and Ulaanbaatar city, with 5,900 children attending. The classes in Ulaanbaatar are now self-funding, being supported by parents and schools, but we are seeking additional funding to expand the project in the very poor region of Nalaikh, and to start the project in the city of Erdenet for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years.

The program consists of the following parts:
* Weekly LifeSkills Lessons: run in schools as part of the regular school curriculum. Each lesson focuses on issues such as self-worth, attentiveness, obedience, forgiveness, thankfulness and honesty. 28 lessons will be taught from September to May each school year.
* 2020/21 – 25 classes involving 720 students.
* 2021/22 – 37 classes involving 1,220 students.
* Clubs: Classes will attend after-school clubs eight times per year, which will focus on applying in-class lessons. Clubs are run together with local churches in the community. Club meetings provide teachers with the opportunity to talk more in-depth with students, to listen and mentor them. We share the love of Christ with the children and their families. Children’s workers from local churches are involved in running clubs and discipleship through special interest-based clubs. During the summer holiday a Vacation Bible School will train 300 select students and equip them to share the Gospel with their peers.
* Teacher training: School teachers will be taught how to use the material to reinforce the lessons and continue using it in their classes on the completion of the project.
* Parenting training: Monthly parents training sessions will be held to introduce our project, improve parenting skills and show parents how to reinforce what their children are being taught at home. It is expected 800 parents will attend the training.

Measurable Outcomes:

1. Over two years, to assist 3,140 Mongolian children to develop good character and decision-making skills through weekly education training programs. 1,940 of these children will be directly sponsored by this grant. This program is conducted directly in school classrooms. Timeline: July 2022
2. To strengthen the parents of 800 families through building on the good ethics, morals and values training their children receive. Classroom training with the children will be leveraged with programs directed to the parents. This will be done in their homes and in specific training sessions targeting critical areas currently lacking in Mongolian homes. Timeline: July 2022
3. To supplement the Mongolian National Education Curriculum through providing ethics education to 1940 children in 62 classes in 7 schools in Erdenet city and Nalaikh town. This part of the program works directly with the Ministry of Education in developing and implementing a culturally relevant curriculum. Timeline: July 2022

*Content provided by Asian Outreach International Canada