New Classroom for School 72

I’ve been fascinated by Mongolia since I was a little girl. My dad would travel there often when I was young and would always bring me back a new doll. I remember them looking so strange and I wondered about the place where they came from and what it would be like. All these years later I have the opportunity to go and visit Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for a charity mission and I’m writing you this letter in hopes that you’ll support me.

I remember my “Uncle” Bat, a close friend of my dad’s, more from the photos and the stories than anything else. There are photos of him holding me when I was one month old and I remember snippets of stories about a place called Mongolia. My dad recently mentioned that Uncle Bat was now the head of the Mongolian Rugby Football Union. I was scrolling through their Instagram when I noticed something about a school.

The Mongolian national team is sponsoring the renovation of a school in Ulaanbaatar that is located in a Ger district. ("Ger” is the Mongolian word for the traditional felt tent that Russians call a “Yurt”. Half the population of the capital lives in one year-round and Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world. Residents stay warm by heating their gers with a small coal-burning oven. I guess during the winter the pollution is so bad that it's hard to see a building across the street!) Most of the kids in School 72 are from families that have emigrated from the countryside and the mission of the Mongolian RFU is to use sport to help the students better integrate into their new community.

Uncle Bat has given me the opportunity to visit Mongolia to help rebuild and refurbish a classroom in School 72. I will be working alongside members of the RFU to replace windows and refinish floors in one of the school rooms. I will also be sponsoring the project financially by fundraising. My hope is to give the children of Ulaanbaatar a classroom that will keep them warm in the winter and offers an environment where they will want to come and learn.

My goal is to raise $4,000 for the building materials and I am asking for donations of $100, $150, or $250, but would be thankful for any donation at all. I will be sending photos and updates of the progress made while I am there, so please let me know if you would like to be added to the distribution list!

Much love,

Jacqui