Posted by Sandra Dow

2010 Mongol Derby Projects

In 2010 the money raised by you from the Mongol Derby will fully fund Mercy Corps projects that support the establishment and growth of many small rural businesses operating in remote areas with very limited opportunities.

In rural Mongolia unemployment and poverty are rife with many people struggling to survive. The funds that you raise will assist small businesses ranging from herders to hairdressers, mechanics, vegetable growers and bakeries to create wealth and new employment opportunities in their communities, helping people to achieve a better quality of life free from poverty.

TRAINING AND ADVICE

Currently there is very limited training and advisory support available to small rural businesses. As a result of this lack of support small businesses struggle to raise production quality and reliability standards. Many also lack the knowledge and skills to construct simple business plans that would give access to small loans which would allow expansion and increase of income. Mercy Corps will use the funds that you raise to help these businesses get training and technical assistance to expand their business, make plans for the future and create jobs in the rural areas that need them the most.

ACCESS TO CREDIT

It is common knowledge that banks will only give loans to people who have collateral. As most rural businesses in Mongolia are nomadic, their assets are also mobile (ger, horses, etc) so it is extremely difficult to use these assets to get loans. As a result this blocks many great business ideas and motivated small businesses from accessing the loans they need to buy new stock, upgrade their equipment and expand. Mercy Corps will use the funds you raise to help generate loans for small rural businesses to help them overcome these obstacles and create a more vibrant and diverse rural economy.

For more information
Mercy Corps will provide Mongol Derby participants with fundraising information, project updates and order forms for support material. Our event coordinator Sandra Dow would be delighted to hear from you, simply call(+44) 0 131 662 5176 6 or email sdow@uk.mercycorps.org.

Information about the event itself should be directed to www.mongolderby.theadventurists.com