Reflections of Mongolia

For seven days of the year, seven nights were spent in Mongolia; of which six were spent out in the grassland at a "Workcamp" (WC)where kids from a nation-funded orphanage spend their summer vacation. The work of the volunteers at the WC are helping with the infrastructure, farming of vegetables, organizing activities for the kids and spending time with them. You could even invest money to help them after the leave the home (usually by age 18).

I was part of a production team that was making a reality show about voluntarism. Zzen was our featured artiste and we joined a group of 19 Taiwanese living, working and playing together. The location of the WC was about an hour's drive from Ulaambataar. They have basic facilities such as two guest houses with a kitchen and a guestroom; a water pipe that supplies our daily need of water whose source are the water about 40m underground; a house for the kids with two dormitories, a kitchen, teacher's bedroom and a gameroom; who could forget the toilet which is just a shed with a 4m deep hole. The toilet itself spawned any horror storiers or rather stories of horrified volunteers when they encountered the toilet for the first time. I am proud to say that everyone passed with flying colours although some took longer than others to adapt. The objective of any voluntary work is always to benefit the lives of the people we're serving, in this case the kids.

As a soundman I hear a lot of people talking and laughing. There were no unhappiness in these kids despite their perdicament. I guess the Home and volunteers have together forge a strong sense of confidences in these kids. Everyone was there for the kids, even some prima donnas who kept complaining to their taiwanese leaders about his planning which I have to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to, "MIRACLE, U're Da BOMB!" He was such a meek person. A great leader who has the potential to be greater leader.

Two activities stood out for me while filming. One was the 4km hike to the source of the Buhoog River. We trekked through beautiful scenery and encounters with a herd of goats and a herd of horses on grassland. I also experienced stepping onto a marsh land which was quite an unusual experience. The ground literally feels like a water bed!

Another event was taking part in traditional Mongolian wrestling on "Nadaam" festival which is their national day. Sound wasn't needed for the visuals so I had permission to take part in the competition. Although I was thrown to the ground after a long duel which my opponent and I fell together as I countered his throw with my own throw. After that I played goalie in a game of football before the final interview of the whole shoot. Apart from voluntarism, the programme is about the kids at the WC.

The tencaity of the kids we interviewed inspired me in their work and play. Bira, a former residence at the home. Through the generousity of his sponsors, he is able to finance his lodging while studying Agriculture in the university (tuition fees for orphans are 100% subsidised by the government). Every summer he would return to the WC to help out. His ambition is to carry on the farming work at the WC- to return to the place that helped mould him into the person he is today and to inspire the younger generation of children.

Another boy that I became pretty close with was Toga. He took any photos with my camera and even held on to our working cam whenever we're not rolling. I think he can be a good cameraman if his interest in visuals is cultivated in him. Who could forget his slick dance moves and those tattoo tears. Hahaha...

Butne has a voice of a powerful diva. I wished I've recored her singing while we're at the "water source". At thw WC, she would break out into a song and dance which I later found out that apart from their native language, they really love Korean hip hop. This is evident in their preferred vcd in their vcd player which is a collection of K-hip-hop music videos.

Bethna, the 14 year old "BOOM" girl, as she is known because she always snuck up behind certan volunteers, of which I was one of them, and go "BOOM" as she pocks our waist with her fingers. Some volunteers didn't like it at all and told her so and she stopped harassing them. One afternoon, activities were put on hold due to rain and what started as a simple "poison ping-pong" game turned into an all out due with the ping pong ball and later on with the fly swat. It was hilarious!

The 4 feet tall 14 years old, aptly nicknamed "Big Boy" who is always full of energy. He is always running or jumping from places to places. He even always seems to bounce even when he does his chores. Like Bethna, "Big Boy" is always a joy to have around.

Last but not least, Ganna. I recorded Ganna, the face of the WC in my opinion, singing a Mongolian children's song with a guitar. He has that typical J-pop boyband looks and a voile to match. He even sang a Chage & Askq song at the farewell party! I also recorded a minus-guitar track which I would like to do my own instrumentations to. Watch this space, I'll keep you guys posted if I've made progress.

Wristband making is one of the kids' specialities. They can make them in various patterns and they could be quite a collectors' item if one would like to collect them. These wristband are given by the kids as a token of frieendship, thanks and affection. Toga made me my only wristband. Some received more than one. Others had to force some kids to make them one. My single wristband is good enough for me as it doesn't just represent the giver, but al the children I've met at the WC. I've decided to let it be a permanent fixture on FiFi when I go out to work as a reminder of the kids and the wonderful Taiwanese companion in Mongolia.

All good things must come to an end. It was a teary goodbye for some, but for me it's "See You Soon". I hope I'll come back sometime soon. God Bless them all!