Keep up your good job!

Saikhantuya knows better than to look too closely. As sparks bounce from the end of her father's welding sticks, this 14-year-old sponsored child’s eyes dart around the yard.

Here, in this Gobi desert yard, metal is piled on top of each other – materials to construct a neighbour’s fence, a friend’s window protectors or metal chairs. The sparks that fly as Saikhantuya’s father welds is an unlikely scene of hope, of a family transformed.

Saikhantuya lives with her parents, an older brother and younger sister in the sandy southern part of Mongolia. It’s a place where little grows.

For Saikhantuya’s family, there have been few opportunities. Her mother dropped out of school in Grade 5, her father in Grade 2 to herd animals. Eventually, after Saikhantuya’s parents met and started a family, her father, Erdenekhuu, joined a construction crew building houses. He was a mere assistant and the money he earned was very little.

“We didn't have any money to buy new clothes. To eat, we bought just a bag of flour and some meat, nothing else,” says Baigalma, Saihantuya’s mother.

When World Vision started working in the community, the organization quickly realized the need for families to earn better incomes  in order to support child health, education, and nutrition.

A vocational training program was created to teach families felting, cooking, sewing, and welding skills. More than 500 people participated and created their own entrepreneurial opportunities after the training.

Erdenekhuu, 39, has been welding since completing the World Vision training in December 2012.

“I’ve got a certificate to show people [employers] and I am satisfied,” he says during a break.  “I used to work in construction, doing whatever work I could find. Now, I bought welding equipment and carry them around where I can find a job.”

“My family of five is happy when I bring money home. My two children are in school,” he says.

“I am working hard to provide for my family and to build a fence around my ger [traditional Mongolian shelter]. My monthly income is around USD$165 from welding,” he adds.

Her mother Baigalmaa Monhu, 40, shares that she has taken part in other World Vision training, “I attended World Vision cooking class. I am a housewife. Being a housewife keeps me busy. I clean our ger, cook for my family, sew clothes, and do laundry. I suffer from physical disability (heart disease).”

“Our ger was given to us by World Vision in 2003,” she adds.

“I like to help my husband welding. While he is welding I hold the metal materials for him,” she adds.

“Thank you very much [sponsors]! I wish all the best for all World Vision!” she concludes.