Kindergartens in the Middle of Nowhere
They call them “Ger Kindergarten”. Yes, they are right in the middle of nowhere and yet they are fully functional, some with as many as 20 kids in the enrollment list. The name comes from the structure used, the ger — traditional mobile tents (yurts) of the Mongolian nomads. The kindergarten is usually composed of 2 gers, one is used as the classroom / activity room, the other as the kitchen and feeding area. A short distance from the gers is a flimsy outhouse. Supported by an international donor, the kindergartens are equipped with solar panels for lighting, books, sleeping materials, and other equipment.
The concept is an ingenious one. Mongolian nomadic herder families move around a lot and, because of this, their kindergarten aged kids miss the chance to go to a formal kindergarten school. The solution: provide a kindergarten school that was mobile and used a structure that has been proven effective against the unpredictable weather in the steppe. The ger was the best answer.
Parents help determine the location of the kindergarten. It should be within a relatively accessible distance to where most herder families have built camp for the season (the average distance between households/ger camps in the steppe is 30 kilometers). Parents bring their child to the kindergarten via a car or a horse in the morning and then pick up the child late in the afternoon. In some cases, parents ask the kindergarten staff to care for their child overnight.
Quite interesting, thanks!
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Thanks.
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Seeing children being children, through their eyes….thanks. It is wonderful your site has been posted on:ExchangeEveryDay, ExchangeEveryDay’s exchangeeveryday@ccie.com
I will be sharing your photos in the classes I teach.
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Ridiculously adorable. Beautiful shots. 🙂
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Thanks so much!
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Summertime in Mongolia, it must be harsh there at times. Thanks to the topic no doubt (and your fine photography of course) it is such a lighthearted post, perusing it makes one smile and lifts the spirit.
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Yes, they have very harsh winters. The program continues to explore ways to continue operating and keep the kids safe in wintertime. I had fun photographing these kindergartens too! Thanks, Joseph.
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Wonderful
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Thank you.
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What a neat insight into another culture!
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Thank you, Cindy.
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Wonderful post. I’ve never re-blogged but I think everyone should read this! Wonderful!
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🙂 Thanks so much, Bonnie!
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Reblogged this on The Iris and the Lily and commented:
An amazing photo story! What a wonderful opportunity for Jessy, thank you sir for sharing!
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Thanks for the reblog, Bonnie.
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Great series!
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Thank you, Carissa.
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Wonderful, informative post. Your colorful, well composed photos tell the story of a day in the life of a child here. Thank you!
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My pleasure, Jane Lurie. Got a number of portraits of these kids in the succeeding posts.
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Hi Jessie, Was happy that this post I shared with Child Care Information Exchange http://www.childcareexchange.com/eed/ was re-posted, but also that it was Freshly Pressed! Congratulations! Well deserved.
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Wonderful photos, Jessie…the inside of the ger-kindergarten looks very similar to other more traditional classrooms.
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True. It just the main structure and the environment that are quite unique. Thanks, Scott.
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Most welcome, Jessie.
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wow, nice photos as usual 🙂
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Thanks a lot, Shiela. 🙂
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What a wonderful story! A sensible response to nomadic life, and a beautiful set of pictures 😀
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Pleased to share the adventure. Thanks. 🙂
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Amazing post Jessie. in one way it is hard to believe that these kindergartens exist in the middle of nowhere, yet it is nice to know that they do. Like the outside loo. 🙂
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Been visiting since 2004 but this was really my first time to get a better glimpse of these kindergartens. The program is considering the use of portalets to upgrade the outside loo. Thanks, David.
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Wonderful post. It would not have occured to me that nomadic peoples of Mongolia would have adopted the kindergarten – such a playground they have!
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Thanks, Lynn. Yes, the playground is so vast you can get lost in it! 🙂
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Delightful, simply delightful! And as always I love the colors!
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Thanks so much! Pleased to share my own delight having photographed these kids. 🙂
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This is a wonderful … post – all the kids … so curios – love the boys washroom.
One of your best .. in my eyes. Brilliant captured.
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Thanks so much, viveka.
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Thank you, Jessie. You revealed to me a strange and new world and you made me to open my eyes over the real matters of the … nowhere. And the real ‘matters’ of our spoiled kids.
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The pleasure is mine, Mala Teaha. Thanks for your kind comment.
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Amazing photo essay! I’m loving this ger idea with the nomadic families in Mongolia! Do you know if they have this same concept in other countries as well?
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Hi, Antoinette. The Ger Kindergarten Program is still in its pilot stage in Mongolia. I think its the first of its kind but it can work in other countries with similar environments and nomadic populations. Thanks for the visit.
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Amazing, amazing, amazing! So cozy, so simple, beats any Western daycare, by far.
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Thanks, Valentina. It could be a very different story once the whole of Mongolia freezes to several degrees below zero. I’ve made a mental note to revisit and photograph these kindergartens in winter.
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Thank you Jessie so much for promoting our pilot project! I really like the descriptions and the photos. Welcome to come back in winter, and we should go to the farthest province where they have the same ger-kindergartens.
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Hello, Itgel. I should be the one to thank you for letting me tag along during the project visit. It was such a wonderful experience and I really enjoyed the company — and the airag!!!. I’ll look forward to visiting in winter. Bayan Olgii at – 40 degrees would be a challenge, winter in Gobi would be nice as well. Thanks again.
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That is incredible, thank you for sharing!
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Thanks for the visit!
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Super Beautiful photos!!
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Thanks!
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Interesting! As teacher/union strike issues abound in the western countries, it is good to be reminded how valuable education is to children and families. And it’s a great example of “thinking outside the box” in how to set up an educational environment.
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I totally agree. Thinking outside the box is in fact very important especially for educators. Thanks, Paula.
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I am impressed with the parents who would drive 30 kilometres to take their child to Kindergarten. I am sure I would not do that. Kuddo’s to those who see the value in these classes!
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Yes, those who support these types of programs should be congratulated. Thanks, Laureen.
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The original ger kindergartens were begun outside of Ulan Baatar in the town of Dambadarja in 1993 by Mongolian Enterprises, Inc. There were three sites located there, and I was the first teacher of English to those children. I lived in a ger until I purchased a “winter house”. Transportation was on foot or by bus. The typical winter temperature was -40º and heat was by small coal and wood stoves (not much wood, so mainly coal).
In 1993 there was limited accessability to the outside and the local stores seldom had more than rice, sugar and matches on hand. the only place to purchase basics was at the main market in Ulan Baatar. Meaat was only available in the fall when they would slaughter the stock they didn’t want to have to feed through the winter. Often times I could only get a sheep’s neck because that was all there was left. One day, the bus I was on was so stuffed full that the rear window popped out! Lots of awesome memories. So glad to see they are still being made. All the Best!
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Very interesting, Helen. I didn’t even know that part of the ger kindergartens’ history. From what I heard, life in Mongolia in early 90’s, just after the break up of the Soviet Union, was really harsh as you have described. Would love to read the memoirs of your experience.
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Beautiful! Thank you for sharing! What happens after kindergarten? Where do these children go to school then?
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Thanks, Tami. I also asked this question. I was told that there are boarding schools for elementary and seconday school students in towns and provincial centers.
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As an Inupiat Eskimo, with Osage and Cherokee ancestry, this story and the photos warmed my heart. My mother once told me that we, as Inupiat people, originally came from Mongolia. I can see the striking resemblance in the childrens’ beautiful faces!
I would like to specifically comment on the title, “Kindergartens in the Middle of Nowhere.” While the writer may assume that the homeland of these indigenous families is “nowhere”, it is in fact very much “somewhere”. Perhaps it is referred to being “nowhere” because it is not developed or urbanized. When we use these kinds of standards, we essentially invalidate their homeland as being “nowhere.” But I can assure you, that the indigenous families in this story, my ancestors and relatives living in rural Alaska villages are very much connected to their homeland and have a sense of place more than most people can even imagine. We certainly don’t think of our indigenous homelands as being “nowhere”. The land not only provides a place we call home, but it also provides nourishment for our body, mind and spirit. Thank you. Panu Lucier
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Hello, Panu Lucier. Thank you for the visit and for leaving this comment. The connection you noted of your people to Mongolia is very interesting.
The phrase “in the middle of nowhere” is used as a figure of speech here. It is often used even in highly developed and urbanized contexts when one feels totally lost or disoriented within the physical environment. I was very much aware that I was somewhere in the outskirts of a town in Bulgan Province when I took these photos and I very much admire how Mongolians love and strongly connect to their homeland. But, standing in the middle of the endless open spaces of the Mongolian steppe with almost nothing (no trees, no buildings, no human beings) for miles and miles around is definitely an experience of this figure of speech. There was absolutely no intention of invalidating or discriminating against indigenous peoples and their homelands. Thank you.
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so true but to others it is always going to be a figure of speech regardless– but to us and our sacred homelands- NOT! the case.
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Beautiful photos!
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I was in Mongolia in June and it is an amazing country. Yaks and yurts galore! Very nice pictures!
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Incredible. Freaking incredible! I love FP for stuff like this!
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Wonderful!!! An inspiration to future endeavours of providing education and care to our children’s early years! Those photos are beautiful, and capture a unique approach in cultural sensitivity, and respect.
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Thank you for sharing! Beautiful photographs! =)
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Great photos, they make me want to head out on a new adventure.
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I love all of your posts so much but this one in particular is truly spectacular! Perhaps it also strikes a chord in my soul as I have a kindergartener as well. Beautiful lovely photos! Great commentary. It is wonderful that these children are receiving an education in a nomadic life. There are way to many millions of children out of school in the developing world.
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Hi, I like your blog, but could you care to see mine?
Mine’s about architecture and I could see some children to grow up to be one http://sookyuml.wordpress.com/
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Reblogged this on Laurel and commented:
Looking at how children learn differently around the world and realizing no matter what their smile makes me happy!
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great photos…what a discovery
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can I reblog
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I’d be honored. Please go ahead and reblog. And THANKS.
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This is beyond beautiful and inspiring! Those lovely little faces made me smile, thanks for sharing
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wow!!! I am speechless.
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I think this is a cool place for learning. There are some things you learn best in the calm
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Very interesting.
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love to see the kids faces. so positive. great photos
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Wonderful post. I admire the enthusiasm and initiative of everyone involved in this project.
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Working as a Kindergarten TA in a pretty affluent neighborhood in the U.S. This is a truly, humbling experience.
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Ain’t proud of myself at all as I read your post .. deep within myself i see that there is emotional suffering and disatisfaction, and it is ironical, while the kids in mention study at mobile kindergartens as your photos described, here i am living in a proper apartment working on a proper fujitsu laptop .. and i have yet to upload my facial avatar onto wordpress as the kids smile nicer
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such an interesting piece, great photos
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Thanks for this! A wonderful post. The children look happy and healthy: evidence that a kindergarten can work with the right adults around.
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Congrats on the Freshly Pressed. The kindergarten and the kids are so cute! On the inside it looks so similar to a Japanese kindergarten – only with endless Mongolian grass plains outside ^^
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Reblogged this on hatmiati4u.
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Reblogged this on Oyia Brown and commented:
Wonderful.
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Reblogged this on filmcamera999.
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this is really beautiful! gorgeous pictures.
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Great pictures and story. We gave a family a ger in 2005 through the http://www.cncf.org give a ger program. These are such amazing people and very hardy and adaptable.
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Proof of our future. Thanks for sharing gorgeous photos and congrats on FP!
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excellent! such an eye opener, thank you for sharing this wonderful post!
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Lovely and heartwarming post! . . . Many thanks for sharing!
http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/
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What an interesting glimpse into another life. Those kids are probably the cutest I’ve ever seen! Thanks for sharing.
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What a nice peek to another world. Keep the awesome pics coming!
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Beautiful photos & approach. These colourful children make you feel a child, hopeful & trustful!
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Such a feast for the eyes. Beautiful photos, thank you!
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There would probably be too many regulations for children to experience this where I live. Food preparation, bathroom facilities – all would have to follow code – that is so much more important than learning. *Sarcasm. I want my children safe but they seem to miss out on real life because we have them constantly monitored and bubble wrapped. It was very refreshing to see these beautiful faces in such an uncluttered environment.
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Nice one…
Greets : http://soniji.wordpress.com
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thanks for sharing, love the pictures
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I have said before that it is a great series with many high spots. Just pleased for you that you have been honoured with the Freshly Pressed distinction…well done indeed.
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These images are beautiful! They make me very envious of you though! 😉 Great post and congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
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Reblogged this on Keu Reyes and commented:
Cool…
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Stunning images! Thank you for sharing, this is wonderful! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
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Thank you for shedding light on such a unique and different culture. I can’t imagine being that isolated (especially come from one of the densest cities in the world). Wonderful photos!
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Ger is a very great idea! It really helps Mongolian children! I am so amazed, and impressed!
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Gorgeous photos and a fascinating piece.
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Thank you for reminding us of one more thing right with the world.
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I really like your blog and would love you to feature on mine, http://www.5thingstodotoday.com. All you have to do is write five suggestions along with a link back to your site. Please check out the blog and see the sort of things people have written about.
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Wow, superb photos! I’m really impressed with your blog. Glad to have found your site!
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Wow! 🙂 I never cease to be amazed at how different cultures handle their children. Thank you for posting. 🙂
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This is a great article. I enjoy reading and learning about different culture. The kids are adorable by the way.
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I have “always” (considering what few pictures I’ve seen of them) marveled at how colorful the insides of yurts (or gers) are. I don’t know if all of them are, or just the ones shown here and in National Geographic. It’s such a great contrast to the rather bland surroundings and unassuming outside of the yurt.
Please know that I won’t be offended if you edit or delete this, but, as to Pana Lucier’s comment about “the middle of nowhere” being offensive, one person’s “middle of nowhere” is, if it has a human population at all, going to be someone else’s beloved homeland, just as the “beautiful, exciting” urban centers of New York, Chicago, etc. are “urban messes” to me, home to some good people and some bad, but still big, crowded icky messes that I don’t really care to visit. With all due respect, one should lighten up and be happy that their lands are not overcrowded, rather than look to be offended so easily. I happily claim to live in “the middle of nowhere” in farmland mid-America, where we consider ourselves positively urban compared to the “actual middle of nowhere” between the Missouri River and the west coast.
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This was delightful. Such beautiful photography!
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Jesus loves the little children and they’re so cute and adorable.
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Such cute kids! Gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing this interesting phenomenon – it’s great the kids have a kindergarten to go to, and those little yurts look pretty cozy!
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Reblogged this on Globe Cruising Mama and commented:
Wonderful essay, beautiful pics.. its got me wanting to live in a yurt!
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Wonderful essay, thanks for sharing! I’ve re-blogged @ http://globecruisingmama.com/ 🙂
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lovely photos, lovely words. very touching!
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Thank you so much for sharing ! 🙂 It is really great that these kids don’t miss out on their education 🙂
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loved the colours, loved the kids, loved the photos and loved the fact that this kindy looks so much more inviting than many I’ve been in. You were lucky to experience it.
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Reblogged this on 2bitsworthofthoughts and commented:
This is a foreign concept in Malaysia but I love it!.
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I saw a show on HGTV where designers were designing these gers, buy this idea for them is best! Love it! It’s really all any person can need!
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Reblogged this on plotjots.
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wow! sooo cool! and so colourful!!! hands down!
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This was an awesome post and nothing I’d seen before. Kudos to those families for putting the education of their children out there and what a great experience for you to see. Thank you so much for this article – love learning about things like this.
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Beautiful pictures, very interesting! 😀
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Now I have learned something brand new. WOW. Thank you for sharing this – how wonderful and adorable!
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WOW! This is just amazing!
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What a wonderful photo essay and gratifying personal experience for you, Jessie. Congrats! on being being featured by WordPress!
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What an incredible post! I showed my husband and even he was completely intrigued. The children look so tiny in some of the photos and that captures my heart even more. Thanky you for sharing this with us. I will be passing this one on.
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Brilliant pictures, a fantastic insight in to how others live and care for their childrens education, perhaps the 4×4 school run parents over here should take a leaf out of their book.
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Reblogged this on Not Just A Ghost Writer and commented:
Amazing
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Oh, I love your photos. The light and colors are perfect. Great snaps. Thanks for sharing. Interesting post.
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Brilliant photos, so colourful!
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Enjoyed the first installment through exchangeeveryday.com but your delightful photos have elaborated the experience of kindergarten for the children of the steppes. Thank you for sharing and introducing ger kindergarten.
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I love the simplicity of this type of education. I teach Kindergarten public school and yet I envy those teachers in the gers.
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Very compelling, especially with the photos.
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Pingback: » Kindergartens in the middle of nowhere Early Years Teacher
You have captured the joy and freshness of these children (children in general…) in a context that is so unfamiliar to many of us. Thank you.
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Hello, Carlos. Thank you so much for visiting this post and for leaving a kind comment.
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Hey there, I’ve nominated you for a very inspiring blogger award, check my post out please.
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Hello, Tim. Thank you so much for the nomination. I am truly honored. I’m not sure if I can reciprocate immediately but will try my best. Thanks again.
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Congratulations! I’ve awarded you the Blog of the Year Award 2012! Check it out here: http://allthingsboys.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/second-star-from-the-right/
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Thank you so much! I deeply appreciate it.
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You are welcome!
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Your photography and your commentary on the photographs are fabulous. What a pleasure and what an enriching experience you are giving us by posting them on your blog!
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Hello, Tania. It’s my pleasure to share what I saw through my lens. Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind comment. Regards.
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I really love your photos – which is why I’ve nominated you for an Adventurous Blogger Award! see my post for more details http://isleahhere.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/i-done-and-won-an-adventurous-blogger-award/
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Thank you so much, Leah. I am truly honored.
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great story and pictures !!
well done
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Great pictures to go with a unique and interesting story.
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Fantastic blog, quite the education we are getting following you! keep it up 😉
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Thanks so much, Marilyn.
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What a great idea – Thanks for sharing.
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And thanks for visiting, Claude!
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Wow, amazing. Thank you for sharing this and showing a part of the world I probably would not have known existed otherwise. Nice job! 🙂
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What an amazing post, and beautiful photos!
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What a great story, Jessie, and I adore the children! Very sweet. Thanks, too, for liking a recent post of mine “Boggy Waters”. I’ll be back….
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Thank you for sharing such a unique and heartwarming perspective with us. Your images are beautiful!
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Thanks so much for visiting. It’s a pleasure to have shared my experiences and photos with you.
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You had an amazing experience and thanks for sharing the photos. This proves that caring and education of young children is important. As teacher of young children, I’m impressed of the extreme measures of both these teachers and parents to provide education in most unconventional environment.
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It is encouraging that parents and teachers give so much value to education and become creative to adapt the educational institution to the environment. I salute you and all teachers. Thanks for dropping by.
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Such beautiful and colourful photographs! Amazing work!
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Thank you so much! I appreciate the visit.
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Fascinating post. Do they do the same for students in elementary school and so on?
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Hi. Thanks so much for the visit. As far as I know, this concept is only being applied for kindergarten students. Elementary schools and high schools in rural areas are mostly boarding schools in municipal centers where students stay for at least a week at a time to minimize the requirements of long travel in harsh weather conditions. Regards.
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A wonderful blog post. Loved the kids.
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Thank you so much, Jean. The innocence and cheerfulness of kids are always infectious. I appreciate the visit.
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You sir, have a beautiful blog here. The pictures tell more story than you minimal use of words.
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Thank you so much, Srinidhi 🙂
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Just spent 30 min travelling on your blog! Thank you for it, you have a great blog.
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Thank you so much for spending time here. Hoping to return the favor sometime. Cheers.
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