Across Mongolia, maintaining essential water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in public educational facilities remains a critical national challenge for student health and school attendance. National data from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank shows that around 27% of the country lives below the national poverty line, while rapid growth has brought over 71% of Mongolia's population into urban areas. During the brutal winter months, extreme freezing temperatures regularly drop past -40°F, putting massive strain on city water pipes and leaving public schools without consistent warm water or indoor hygiene facilities. Because of this, building functional, climate-proof wash spaces is a top priority to protect student health, build awesome daily habits, and give every student the safe environment they deserve.
In the outer neighborhoods of the Ulaanbaatar region, rapid population growth in peripheral districts has put huge pressure on local public school campuses. The freezing winter cold makes accessing warm, running water practically impossible for many local families, raising the risk of skin irritations, winter colds, and illness for school-aged kids. At one local public school serving 710 students alongside 65 teachers and staff, missing proper indoor wash facilities makes daily life on campus tough. Without a dedicated shower building, more than 775 people navigate long school days—including gym classes, sports team practices, and community events—without anywhere to wash or clean up.
This summer, the campus is being assisted as HXP Builders head to build standalone public shower block. This block will be able to withstand weather conditions, while providing basic facilities that both students and the community can benefit from. It will help with creating a clean, warm sanctuary where local youth can stay healthy and focus on their education for years to come.
Sources
¹ UNICEF Mongolia – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools & Child Health Profile
² Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Mongolia Urbanization & Infrastructure Data
³ World Bank Group – Mongolia Poverty and Equity Brief
⁴ World Bank Group – Urban Population Indicators & Urbanization Trends in Mongolia