Volunteer Conference 2008

The last few weeks I’ve been busily working to prepare for the annual VSO Mongolia Volunteers’ Conference. One of my responsibilities as Ulaanbaatar Volunteer Representative (yes, very grand title I know!) was to help with the preparations and running of this conference. Thus, I’ve been working with fellow volunteer Ruth and VSO Mongolia director Alison, to ensure that everything was ready. We made great efforts so that the volunteers were properly consulted about and could feed into all aspects of the conference (the agenda, the menu, transport arrangements, etc).

On Wednesday the 18th the day finally came, and volunteers from all over the country descended upon the Equal Step Camp, our home for the next three days. Whilst I had little to do with the decision, it was a magnificent choice of venue – right in the middle of nowhere, very isolated and peaceful (by the train station intriguingly just called “#290”). The camp is usually used to give street children a place to have fun during the summer months. Our quick use of the centre gave the camp a much needed cash boost, which the owners will use to make the camp more accessible for disabled people. It was great that the money we spent went towards such a project, rather than into the hands of an already wealthy owner of a tourist camp/hotel.

Generally speaking the conference went well. We had a few issues along the way (most notably time keeping, as we had so little time and so much to get through), but most people were very happy with the experience. It was great to see everyone again, and have a good catch up – I rarely get to see the countryside-based volunteers, so it was particularly good to see them. The conference also gave me the chance to plan some fun trips with other volunteers for the coming month and a half…

Rain, rain and more rain! - Yes, we’re entering the rainy season, so the streets are flooded and everything (including myself) is wet. The rainy season is so short that there seems to be no need to have a city drainage system. This is probably common sense, as it only rains for about 20 days a year, but whilst you’re in heavy downpour season the city’s streets start to resemble rivers! I travelled by bus yesterday, and looking out of my window it seemed like we were going on an adventure tour – it seemed like we were floating along a river rather than driving down Ulaanbaatar’s main street. I don’t mind the rain so much as it’s quite a fun change, and I know it will really help make the whole place look a lot greener. Such downpour is also essential to the success of many Mongolians – if it doesn’t rain much, then the grass won’t grow and so cattle will starve.

Elections: only 6 days to go – next weekend we will have a new government in Mongolia! Campaigners are frantically trying to grab those crucial votes, going from house-to-house distributing pamphlets. The political parties are spending so much money on advertising, so everywhere you go you are greeted by giant posters of the main candidates (it seems like the elections are keeping the advertising industry afloat, as most of the other posters in the city are out of date, or seem to have been there for months on end). From what I gather personality is quite important in Mongolia, as adverts and party brochures dedicate a lot of space to describing the individual politicians.

Thanks for the emails and letters that some of you have been sending me, it’s always great to receive them. I promise I’ll reply soon! Fingers crossed that everything is going well for you, and that you are having a good time. Lots of love to you all, take care and have fun,

Robert