When there is a will, there is a way: Investing in early childhood development (ECD) in Nalaikh, Ulaanbaatar

Uranbileg and her favorite Teddy bear
©UNICEFMongolia/2016/Mungunkhishig Batbaatar

“I want to be a doctor when I grow up so that I can heal others,” says 5-year-old Uranbileg, also known as Urnaa. She lives in Nalaikh, a peri-urban district in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Her bright, intelligent smile belies the chronicle of her past pain and doubt. Having been born with bilateral orofacial clefts, her parents wondered if her little daughter would have a normal life in the future.

Inclusive society starts in school

Shuree likes to read and dreams of becoming an actress

 ©UNICEF Mongolia/2016/Enkhzul Altangerel

      From the pile of letters, Munkhshur picks letter “Р” to complete the word “САР” which means “moon” in English. “I know how to spell many words. Do you want to see the others?” smiles Shuree, as her friends call her, eager to show what she has learned at school.

Амьдралын зөв дадал хүүхдийн эрүүл мэндийг хамгаална

Цэргийн малгай өмссөн Түмэн-Өлзий
©НҮБ-ын Хүүхдийн Сан/2015/Н.Санжааханд

Түмэн-Өлзий таван настай, их сэргэлэн цовор охин. Тэр гадаа найз нартайгаа тоглох дуртай. Түмэн-Өлзий сумынхаа цэцэрлэгт явдаг. Түүний ээжийг Отгонбаяр гэх бөгөөд охиноо цэцэрлэгтээ дуртай болох тухай бидэнд хуучиллаа. "Охиныг маань сайн сурдаг. Бас цэцэрлэгтээ явах дуртай гэж багш нар нь дандаа хэлдэг юм" гэв.

Changing behaviors, changing lives

Tumen-Ulzii at home playing dress up 

©UNICEF/Mongolia/2015/Sanjaakhand Nansalmaa

Tumen-Ulzii is an active five year old. She loves playing with her friends in the yard outside her house. Tumen-Ulzii goes to the local kindergarten.