Visit the Magical Land center (supported by Grand Circle Foundation) on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar with Bujuu, a Trip Experience Leader for Mongolia & the Gobi Desert, and see firsthand how donations from travelers have made a difference in the lives of countless children.
The Magical Land: Child Protection and Development Center was created to raise awareness about the continuing issues of human trafficking and domestic violence that children in Mongolia face today. Founded in 2013 within a slum area outside Ulaanbaatar, the institution was designed to both help children who have already been affected by these issues and to also aid in the prevention of future abuse. Magical Land offers protection, support, guidance, and assistance to build a community that provides a circle of safety and opportunity for children.
Last year, Grand Circle Foundation funded the renovation of the science classroom (which you can see in the video above). The community’s only public school does not have a designated space for science classes. Now, with the renovation of the classroom at Magical Land, 3,200 students can study biology, chemistry, geography, astronomy, and more.
This year, the center asked us to support the remodeling of the outdoor playground—with an emphasis on active learning. With equipment custom-made by experienced local vendors, the playground is the first of its kind in the area, and hopes to serve as a model by boosting children’s curiosity about science.
Here are a few examples of the interactive equipment that was built with our support:
Sound Tubes
The sound tubes consist of three different tubes, partially installed underground, and six wooden stands. Six children (aged 4 and above) are able to play at a same time.
Big Ears
Big ears consist of two cone-shaped plates, which collect sounds from the surrounding environment. It is suitable for children aged 5 and above. The wooden stand installed on the ground collects sounds from the northeast and southwest from the position of 3.5 meters high.
Whisper Dish
Sourcing appropriate materials to make the whisper dish, another sound-collecting activity, was one of the biggest challenges of the project. Finally, two astrological antennas, each two meters in diameter, were installed.
Air Rocket
The air rocket was made by the children who study woodworking at the Magical Land Center, instructed by science professionals. During the installation process, children used recycled bottles to make the air rocket fly. This game will be mainly used for children who attend an astronomy class.
Pulley System
This entertaining game helps children understand basic physics by teaching them to save strength by using a handle to pull different weights—ranging from the lightest to the heaviest. Each is labeled with instructions on how to play and the formula of weight.
We thank all our generous travelers and donors for making these projects possible. By fostering an interest in science in these young people—and making learning fun—we hope to literally level the playing field for these underprivileged students and give them hope for the future.
Visit Magical Land and see the impact of our support firsthand during Mongolia & the Gobi Desert. To learn more about Grand Circle Foundation and support our projects around the world, visit www.grandcirclefoundation.org.
