Zaya has spent the majority of her young life in a pandemic. Growing up in one of the poorest communities in Mongolia, her family has had difficulties simply surviving. But, with the support of the OneSky community, Zaya has been able to learn and grow.
Children thrive when surrounded by the love of family-like care.
In Mongolia, OneSky’s Family Center is providing young children access to quality early care and serving as a key support to their families. OneSky-trained teachers and family mentors are instructing parents on how to implement the kind of loving responsive care that’s crucial to helping vulnerable young children thrive.
Zaya lives with her family in a ger (also known as a yurt), a small circular hut that means “home” or “household” in Mongolian. With no running water, in need of constant heating, and a lack of basic resources, Zaya’s family endure particularly difficult challenges.
In her short life, Zaya has grown up only knowing COVID, but already, as a now 3-year-old toddler, she is benefitting from OneSky’s loving community of care.
When she was just over a year and a half, Zaya began spending time happily playing at the OneSky Family Center in Ulaanbaatar. Meanwhile, her mom, Purevjav, attended OneSky’s Family Skills Training – an educational 18-week course designed to provide parents with skills and knowledge to meet their young children’s social and emotional needs.
Purevjav graduated from the program with a newfound confidence to make her modest ger a nurturing and loving home. One which would help little Zaya and her siblings to reach their potential.
“I’ve changed a lot since attending the training. Based on my learning, my communication with my children has improved as well as my understanding of how to respond to their needs. I am very grateful for the OneSky team and their support,” shares Purevjav.
During the pandemic, OneSky mentors checked in on the family regularly and taught Purevjav and the children how to create DIY toys, new games to play in the ger, as well as songs that brought laughter and fun.
Zaya is fortunate. Now her mom knows what is needed for Zaya and her siblings to thrive. OneSky’s training has given her the confidence and skills to help her children reach their full potential.