Back-yard environmental activist breaks through barriers

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Growing up, 16-year-old Batchimeg admits she was shy and didn’t have the skills to express herself clearly, let alone lead others.

But deep inside, she had a passion for the environment, cared for others and wanted to make change.

“I had trouble trusting others, which made me very insecure and afraid to speak my thoughts. I would always worry I may say the wrong things and the teachers may scold me,” Batchimeg (Chimgee).



AN IDEA SPARKS

A few years ago, Chimgee’s life changed.

“I saw a TV program about how children are making changes in their community and wanted to become part of it. It just came naturally. I wanted to change myself, learn to express myself better” Chimgee shares.

She immediately inquired about the Child Participation Leading Council at her school, and signed up to join the club.

After just a few months, she became the leader, with her dedication and hard work. 

TACKLING THE ENVIRONMENT

With 15 members, Chimgee’s club organizes child participation activities for the high school students of their school, reaching out to more than thousand children through child to child actitivies and peer education.

Under Chimgee’s tutelage, the child council has been a pioneer in volunteer work, especially environmental work such as cleaning up the area outside their school, and celebrating Earth day.

“I love to do environmental work, because I want to protect our common good, our beautiful nature,” Chimgee explains.

Chimgee wants to expand her environmental activities to a global level one day. She’s just one step away from becoming the member of TUNZA, a UN youth network focused on environmental issues.



ENSURING ALL VOICES ARE HEARD

Growing up in a family with disability, Chimgee values the important input the minority plays in making decisions.

“Children with disabilities need to be heard,” says Chimgee.

Being a leader of another organization - a scout club - Chimgee also teaches life skills such as making a fire, sign language, and other wilderness survival skills to her fellow scout friends and club members at school.

“Now I have much better speaking and communication skills with people. Even teachers respect me, encourage me with their compliments,” Chimgee says.

WORLD VISION’S CHILD-FOCUSED APPROACH

World Vision Mongolia established Child Participation Leading Committees at community schools to empower children as active participants in all avenues of their well-being.

Through the council, many youths discover their talents, open themselves to the world and make their first step of leadership.

Just like it was for Chimgee, the council is a door for children, to rise above their circumstance, breaking through the barriers.