These children are in one of the kindergartens which is better off financially than many others. In Mongolia, tuition at kindergartens and schools is free, but there are LOADS of add-on charges made directly to parents from the school, and it is these add-ons that often parents cannot afford, and so they do not send their children to kindergarten/school. Parents are charged for food, printer paper, costumes for displays and shows, play equipment ....

In accordance with a government objective, VSO aims to promote the introduction of child-centred learning methodology in schools, especially kindergartens. This is one of the "areas" or "contexts" in one of the classrooms. I go round the classes, setting up play areas for the children to explore, so demonstrating to teachers that the children can and do learn through play.