The Itgel Foundation - November 2007 Newletter

In This Issue:

TCVC Construction Completed!

TCVC Partners Honored

Itgel Participates in Hovsgol Tourism Conference

Field Staff Sought for 2008

Contact

The Itgel Foundation

info@Itgel.org

www.itgel.org

In Mongolia:

The Itgel Foundation
Ulaanbaatar-211213
P.O. Box 2142
Mongolia

Mobile:
(976)99-722-667

In the US:

The Itgel Foundation
1243 Arroyo Chico
Boulder, CO 80302

Telephone:
(303) 241-4411

TCVC Construction Completed!

September 2007 marked the end of construction for the newly-established Tsaatan Community & Visitors’ Center (TCVC), a project whose progress many of you have been following for almost 2 years.

This milestone achievement marks the beginning of a new era for the Tsaatan reindeer herding community. Through the TCVC, Tsaatan individuals now have the opportunity to engage in income-generating activities by providing goods and services to those visiting their community. For the first time ever, the Tsaatan have a sustainable way of earning income, a way to represent themselves in the public forum, and a way to determine the trends of activities in their community. Realistic estimates project 200-400% increases in household income for Tsaatan families participating in the TCVC, allowing many to break free from cycles of dependency on outside support in the form of food supplies and short-term aid. The TCVC’s unique financial systems, developed by the Tsaatan, split revenue between individual service providers and a shared-community fund for long-term projects, overseen by a Tsaatan-elected management board. This fund has generated nearly $2,000 in just 6 weeks of operations, an amazing sum for a community whose avg. household income is $100 per year, and whose population is in the mere hundreds.

A few key facts about the TCVC…

Itgel’s role is to assist the Tsaatan community in the development of the TCVC. The Center is designed to be 100% autonomously owned, operated, and managed by the Tsaatan, with no other parties making operational decisions or earning revenue from the Center.
The TCVC offers guide and horse services, cooks and meal kits, cultural information, trip planning support, and accommodations. 100% of fees for services go to the Tsaatan community.
ALL visitors wishing to go to the Tsaatan community, including independent travelers, film makers, and tour operator groups are requested to contact the TCVC to make travel arrangements. The TCVC is the ONLY Tsaatan-run initiative related to travel and tourism, and as such is the best way to ensure that your visit incorporates and benefits the Tsaatan themselves. For booking information please contact:
- In Mongolian: +(976) 9579-1840
- In English: +(976) 9987-2132 or +(303) 241-4411

2008 TCVC Goals:

Host a community-wide planning workshop in January to set long term goals
Host professional guide and cook training workshops in February/March to prepare interested Tsaatan service providers for successful employment through the TCVC
Coordinate with tour operators and independent travelers on a limited number of bookings for the 2008 season
Place a specialized long-term volunteer at the TCVC to support the Tsaatan in their operations at the Center
Empower and prepare the Tsaatan to assume 100% operational responsibility of the TCVC by summer 2008

Through strategic planning, community participation, and sensitivity to the Tsaatan’s unique needs and challenges, the TCVC is helping to rewrite this threatened community’s future. The result…economic empowerment, community leadership, and sustainable resource management for the Tsaatan, once and for all!

News Briefs

TCVC Partners Honored

On October 3, Itgel hosted an awards dinner in Ulaanbaatar to honor some of the individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the success of the TCVC project.

Pictured above, from left to right:

Baika, Chief Editor, Mongol Medee
Lkhamdulam, Consultant, People Centered Conservation
Indraa, Business Development Advisor, USAID
Katrina, Itgel Volunteer
Marieke, Itgel Volunteer
Erdenebileg, Volunteer Service Overseas
Morgan, Executive Director, The Itgel Foundation
Gantemur, Chairman, Sustainable Tourism Development Center
Narangerel, Executive Director, People Centered Conservation

Thank you TCVC partners and donors! Your support has given a brighter future to the Tsaatan people!

Itgel Participates in Hovsgol Tourism Conference

On October 23 Itgel staff Morgan Keay and Byambadorj Altankhuyag attended a conference in Murun, Hovsgol, hosted by Hovsgol governor Batkhuu and the newly established Aimag Tourism Council. The event reflected on the recently-completed season’s challenges and successes in the region, which is a leading tourist destination in Mongolia. Itgel gave a presentation about the newly-established TCVC, stressing the importance of including local people in any and all activities related to tourism development. Immediately following, Itgel was interviewed by regional media representatives. The conference closed with goals for 2008, including drawing 15,000 international visitors to Hovsgol Province in the coming year, and enforcing new policies on sanitation controls in and around the Lake Hovsgol region.

Field Staff Sought for 2008

Itgel is seeking qualified candidates to serve key roles in the further development of our initiatives in 2008. Current vacancies include TCVC Operational Development Manager, TCVC Marketing and Media Manager, and Writing/Development Interns. For more information please visit www.idealist.org and search for “Itgel” or e mail your resume, cover letter, and statement of availability to Morgan (contact). Please note that the majority of positions require staff members to be in Mongolia between January and July 2008.

2007 Itgel Volunteer Field Staff Marieke Timmer (Netherlands)
poses for a picture with two East Taiga Tsaatan children.

Volunteering with Itgel is an experience like none other that often leads to significant career opportunities like fellowships, job offers, publications, and more.