People and Projects:

A Man on a Gardening Mission

Damba Chuluun from Mandalgobi has been named a "social entrepreneur" by his community. The honour of this title was given to him because, over the last four years, Damba has combined his ambition and his gardening skills to improve the lives of his community.

Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps

Damba Chuluun from Mandalgobi has been named a "social entrepreneur" by his community. The honour of this title was given to him because, over the last four years, Damba has combined his ambition and his gardening skills to improve the lives of his community.

Thanks to the Mongol Rally, Mercy Corps has been supporting Damba on his mission by helping him carry out numerous trainings for members of his community on the planting and care of trees, houseplants, flowers and vegetables, to help improve the health of his community and provide a source of income for unemployed families.

In May 2007 Damba received a grant of £700 from funds raised from the Mongol Rally, which he used to build a greenhouse to train secondary school children and local community residents in how to garden.

Throughout 2008 Damba has expanded his successful training classes into numerous schools and as a result students in his classes have now learned how to grow and care for flowers, vegetables, and trees - vital skills for their day to day lives, now and in the future.

The great success of these training classes also enabled Damba to build two further green houses at community schools. These houses currently grow a vast variety of vegetables which continue to provide training and skills for the young students as well as supplying the schools' cafeterias with much needed fruits and vegetables.

Thanks to the continued funds from the Mongol Rally Damba has now trained 160 students to grow and care for vegetables, trees and flowers. Damba has even been able to expand the reach of his training and is working with people living with disabilities. The gardening skills they have received means they now have a much needed income from selling the cucumbers and tomatoes they grow, thanks to Damba.

For them and for hundreds of other community members touched by Damba and his determination, they now have hope for a positive and fruitful future.