One of the things about Mongolia that can make life a bit cheaper and easier is work housing. In the countryside it is not uncommon for government, hospital, and school employees to have the option to live in government housing for free or a nominal fee. The downside is that it is often in rundown buildings that used to be something else (the defunct veterinary hospital, anyone?) and with few amenities. For example, when I was a Peace Corps volunteer I lived in this building for one year with a bank teller and 4 teachers and their families.
Life was pretty hard given that when the power was out, which was most of the time, we had no lighting, no heating, and no way to cook. It is no wonder that I insisted on living in a ger my second year.
After I left town, the teachers were moved around every year or 2 to other defunct buildings including one of the old school buildings famous for its roof full of pigeon poop and the afore mentioned veterinary hospital. A few lucky souls got to live in the renovated community center but most of them were stuck in the old hospital with its camel sized doors which let in all the winter breezes. Hardly worth the cheap $3 a month rent.
Well, this summer, after two years of planning and raising government and private funds (from mining companies) one of the old student dorms was renovated. Here is one of the the old dorms (which was lived in by students up until 2 years ago)
And here, is the new teacher apartment building after it got bricks, wallpaper, new windows, and a roof.
It has 8, two room, and 1, one room apartments and is already festooned with all important satellite dishes. The inside changed from one giant wind sieve to something that looks more like it belongs in Ulaanbaatar.
Today was the official new housing party where the school director, governor, and representatives from the provincial counsel and the two donor companies spoke and cut the ribbon.
Lastly, the three teachers who had already moved in received their keys.
The teachers who are living in the new building have been teaching at my school since I first moved here 10 years ago and they have lived in horrible run down buildings, suffered from house fires, and in general had to live in places no one should live in. I wish them lots of luck and hope they don’t have to move for a very long time!