Riders on the storm: protecting child jockeys in Mongolia

Budgarav, 15, was disabled while working as child jockey
© UNICEF Mongolia/2014/Zetty Brake

In a ger tent in Ulziit, horse racing capital of Mongolia, 15-year-old former child jockey Budgarav rests on his crutches and adjusts the baseball cap on his head. Four years ago he was thrown from a horse during training and trampled, losing his front teeth and breaking both his legs. “It was very painful when I fell,” he says.

Welcome to School: Ensuring education for children with disabilities

Davkhar launches a paper plane he built outside the 

family home © UNICEF Mongolia/2014/Andy Brown

Outside a ger tent, Davkhar’s brow is furrowed in concentration. His nimble fingers fold the piece of paper in his hands, making a paper plane. He finishes, looks up and throws the plane.  It flies for a few seconds before floating to the ground. After a few more test runs, he squats down to the ground and starts making adjustments to the plane. On the next attempt it flies further.

Hand washing: Keeping Mongolia’s children healthy

Children washing their hands in rural Mongolia
©UNICEF/MGLA2007-00194/Holmes  

Today is Global Hand Washing Day. Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to save children’s lives. Each year, 1.7 million children under the age of five die from diarrhoea and pneumonia. Washing hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food, helps reduce disease infections by up to 40 per cent, and has far reaching effects on the health and welfare of children and their communities.

Ending violence against girls

If we are to end violence against girls, we much 

change attitudes towards this issue

©UNICEF/Mongolia

Today is international day of the girl child. In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring October 11^th as the International Day of the Girl Child, drawing attention to girls’ rights and the unique challenges that girls around the world face.

Photos: Inclusive education for all children

Created with flickr slideshow.

Less than half of children with disabilities in Mongolia go to school, partly because of stigma and discrimination. UNICEF is working with the Government and others to make sure all children, including those with disabilities, get a quality education. 

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