Almost 160 Mongolian drop-out students are now back in school as the result of a tutoring program begun December 2000 by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA).

“I’m learning a lot,” said ten-year-old Regzed Lkham. “I dropped out of school when I was in the third grade. My father allowed me to be involved in the program. I was so excited. I have had many friends since I was involved in this class.”

The first tutoring session introduced health training materials developed by a pediatrician, which dealt with topics such as basic hygiene, diet, first aid, drug abuse, acute respiratory infections, and common ailments. Training workshops were held for government teachers and other interested non-governmental organizations to introduce the health curriculum and materials.  Another tutoring session began in April with 182 students enrolled. 

Many children in Mongolia live in abject poverty; the latest Living Standards Survey for Mongolia classified 20 percent of the population of 2.6 million as “ultra poor.”