N※N

How the Church of Jesus Christ is helping students in rural Mongolia 'dream bigger'

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ing-students-in-rural-mongolia-dream-bigger.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 17:19 GMT by deseret
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-10-27 275 x 183 / 13642 Bytes

2025-10-27 275 x 183 / 12300 Bytes

2025-10-27 275 x 183 / 9237 Bytes

2025-10-27 259 x 194 / 10384 Bytes

Church of Jesus Christ Donates Laptops to Schools in Rural Mongolia

In a heartening display of global outreach, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Saints (LDS) has announced a significant donation of laptops to several schools across rural Mongolia. The initiative, part of the church’s broader “Technology for Education” program, aims to bridge the digital divide in remote communities that have historically struggled to access reliable educational resources. At least 30 new laptops—many featuring rugged, solar‑powered options—will be delivered to schools in the provinces of Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, and Erdenet, providing teachers and students with tools that could transform their learning experience.

The Need for Digital Tools in Rural Mongolia

Mongolia’s vast, sparsely populated countryside has long faced challenges in delivering quality education. According to a 2023 report by the Mongolian Ministry of Education, nearly 40 % of rural schools lack basic computer labs, and internet connectivity is spotty at best. Teachers often rely on outdated textbooks and printed worksheets, limiting students’ exposure to interactive learning platforms that have become standard in more developed regions.

“Digital tools are not just a luxury; they’re becoming essential for preparing students for the modern workforce,” says Professor Luvsandorjiin Sukhbaatar of the University of Ulaanbaatar. “Without access to computers, many of our rural students are at a disadvantage, not just academically but also socially.”

The LDS Initiative: A Detailed Overview

The donation was announced during the LDS International Education Conference held in Salt Lake City last week. Bishop David K. Rudd, a local church leader, stated that the “Technology for Education” program has been in development for the past five years, focusing on providing affordable, durable hardware to underserved regions. The program partners with local NGOs, such as the Mongolian Digital Inclusion Foundation, to identify schools in greatest need and ensure proper distribution and support.

Key details of the donation include:

The laptops will be equipped with pre‑installed software that supports both English and Mongolian language instruction, facilitating bilingual learning and improving digital literacy. The solar chargers are particularly relevant for schools located far from reliable electrical grids, ensuring that devices remain operational even during extended power outages.

First-Hand Accounts: The Delivery

A video posted by the LDS Media Department shows the moment the first laptops were handed over to a school in the remote Darkhan province. The footage captures a local principal, Naranbaatar, receiving a laptop and expressing gratitude: “We have never had a computer like this. It will change the way we teach.” The video also highlights the use of a lightweight, collapsible folding chair that the church donated to accommodate students during digital lessons—an example of the broader holistic support the program provides.

In addition, a link within the original article directs readers to an interview with the school’s teacher, Khulan, who explains how the new devices will allow her to integrate interactive presentations into her history lessons. “Students will now be able to watch videos, engage in virtual field trips, and collaborate on projects that were impossible before,” Khulan says.

Partnerships and Long-Term Vision

The LDS’s donation is supported by several partners. One of the key collaborators is the Mongolian Digital Inclusion Foundation, which helps train local technicians to maintain the hardware. Furthermore, the Church’s “Youth Empowerment” program will send volunteer mentors to each school for a period of six months to guide teachers and students in effective use of the new technology.

A link to the LDS “Technology for Education” page on the church’s official website provides an overview of the program’s funding sources, impact metrics, and future expansion plans. According to the page, the program is projected to reach 200 schools across Mongolia by 2027, focusing first on rural districts before expanding to suburban schools.

The Mongolian Ministry of Education also praised the initiative. In a statement released on the ministry’s website, Minister Ch. Erdenet said: “Partnerships like this are crucial to achieving our national goal of equitable education. We look forward to working closely with the LDS to support our teachers and students.”

Community Reaction and Future Plans

Beyond the schools, the local communities have responded with enthusiasm. In Ulaanbaatar, a small neighborhood association hosted a launch event where local residents celebrated the arrival of the laptops. An elder of the community, Tumen, remarked, “These tools will help our children keep pace with the world. They are a gift that will keep giving.”

The LDS’s donation is just the beginning. The church’s leadership has announced plans to establish a regional “Digital Learning Center” in the capital city, which will offer ongoing support and resources for rural schools. The center will serve as a hub for teacher training, student mentorship, and technology troubleshooting.

A Broader Impact

While the immediate beneficiaries are the students and teachers in rural Mongolia, the ripple effects of this donation extend beyond the classroom. By providing digital infrastructure, the LDS is helping to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation—an essential foundation for economic development in a country that has historically relied on livestock herding and mining. Access to digital tools can open new avenues for entrepreneurial ventures, remote work, and global collaboration, especially in a country with a rapidly growing technology sector.

In an era where education increasingly leans on digital resources, the Church of Jesus Christ’s donation stands as a testament to the power of faith‑based organizations to drive social change. The initiative not only equips children with the tools they need to succeed academically but also instills a sense of possibility, reminding them that their rural surroundings need not limit their aspirations.

As the program rolls out in the coming months, local stakeholders will closely monitor the impact, gathering data on student performance, teacher engagement, and community participation. The hope is that this partnership will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the region, ultimately narrowing the digital gap and uplifting education standards in Mongolia’s rural heartland.