Rural schoolchildren in Mongolia have gained educational opportunities thanks to a generous donation of nearly 240 Chromebook laptops.
For Khaliuna Batbaatar, a high school student in the Airag sum located in a remote province of Mongolia, the dream of a career in computer science seemed almost unattainable just a year ago.
However, a recent donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints inspired Khaliuna to believe in her dream of a future career in computer science once again.
“Last year we didn’t have an IT teacher, and that really hindered my learning,” she said. “But now, with a new laptop, I promise to study harder.”
Thousands of students like Khaliuna have gained the opportunity to learn thanks to the generous donation from the church, unboxing nearly 240 Chromebook laptops that were distributed to 17 schools in the remote area of Sainshand, Mongolia.
“Thanks to the generosity of Latter-day Saints around the world, we have been able to help children — to see their smiles and genuine interest in learning,” noted Purevjargal Dorj, executive director of the church's humanitarian programs in Mongolia.
The initiative to distribute laptops was initiated at the request of Mongolia's ambassador to the U.S., Batbayar Olziidelger, who reached out to Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Andersen also noted that in Ulaanbaatar, students could study English, but in remote provinces, they need resources for online learning and access to technology.
Therefore, according to the apostle, this donation has become a significant blessing for many communities, meeting their real needs.
On September 15, a ceremony for the laptop donation took place in Sainshand, attended by local authorities and school directors. At the same time, a nationwide program to improve the educational process in Mongolia has been ongoing since 2023.
According to information published on the ChurchofJesusChrist.org website, as part of this initiative, 3,000 Chromebook laptops will be distributed to 300 schools, providing more than 100,000 young students with the opportunity to learn with digital resources.
The head of the Airag sum, Sukhbaatar Ganbaatar, noted: “We had a limited number of resources for using computers and implementing the educational program. We are very grateful for this support.”
According to the church's statement, the new laptops help students learn mathematics, English, information technology, and animation, providing them with equal opportunities with their peers in major cities in Mongolia.
“Education is the foundation of success,” emphasizes Purevjargal Dorj. “This initiative opens doors for children from rural areas, providing them with more opportunities to succeed in life.”
Enkhbayar Ariunbayar, the principal of the Airag sum high school, added that the new laptops for schools can be seen as investments in the future of Mongolia.
“If our students, who are the future of the country, grow up educated and knowledgeable, it will help them become leaders of the nation,” he noted.
According to Tuvshinjargal Gombo, the director of the church office in Mongolia, such a donation also illustrates the teachings and love of Christ.
“Jesus Christ called us to care for our neighbors,” she noted. “This is a great example of how the donations of church members reflect His love and care for the Mongolian people.”
The Church of Jesus Christ and Mongolia
Recently, the ambassador of Mongolia to the U.S., Batbayar Olziidelger, who initiated the laptop donation, met with the First Presidency of the church, including President Dallin H. Oaks and his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson.
The meeting took place at the church administration building in Salt Lake City on October 22. Additionally, at the conclusion of the ambassador's visit to Utah, he participated in a dinner hosted by Elder Andersen, with whom he became friends in December 2024 during his visit to the Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. temple.
“I hope this festival inspires us to spread love and kindness throughout the year to make the world a more peaceful and prosperous place,” the ambassador said at the event.
Two days before the ambassador's visit to the First Presidency, Elder Andersen shared on social media about his recent visit to Mongolia.
“Less than two weeks after my appointment as a general authority in April 1993,” Elder Andersen wrote in a post on October 20, “Elder Neal A. Maxwell visited Mongolia and dedicated it for the preaching of the Gospel.”
“Now, 32 years later, I see the blessings we prayed for becoming evident. The Kingdom of God is growing and being established on this beautiful land.”
During his visit, Elder Andersen also expressed hope for the construction of a temple in Ulaanbaatar, which was announced by the late church president Russell M. Nelson in October 2023. The temple will serve nearly 13,000 Latter-day Saints in Mongolia.
Elder Andersen also visited Buddhist monks, a kindergarten, and a family in a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) during his visit.
S. Maidara Tatar
source: MiddleAsianNews
