Test For Life 2010

Project site No6 – Dalanzadgad, 6-7 Aug

• Territory – 63,861 sq, miles (165,400 sq.km.)
• Center – Dalanzadgad town, located 344 miles (553 km.) from Ulaanbaatar.
• Number of somons – 15
• Umnugobi aimag was established in 1931.
• Meaning of province name: South Gobi

Umnugobi province in southern Mongolia is one of Mongolia’s largest provinces, with a population density of only 0.3 people per sq km. The few people who live here are of the Khaikh ethnic group. It’s not hard to see why humans prefer to live elsewhere. With an average annual precipitation of only 130mm a year, and summer temperatures reaching an average of up to 38°C, this is the driest, hottest and harshest region in the country. Dalanzadgad is a center of the province. Its population 12,500. Elevation 1465m. Dalanzadgad is a soulless and windy town. Sit-ting in the shadow of the Gurvansaikhan Nuruu range, the town has reasonable facilities and regular transport, so it’s a good base for explorations into the desert. The average temperature is around 39° F (+3.9° C) in main areas, with the average in July 68° F-77° F (+20° C to +25° C) and 59° F-77° F (-15° C to -25° C) in January.

After 15 hours of driving, the longest and exhausting off-road trip from Bayanhongor to Dalanzadgad, the TFL team finally have reached the last project site of TFL2010.

TFL visited the province in 2008 and had screened 403 women with 20 cases of detected early cervical cancer. Another 502 women have participated in TFL2010.

(Click the picture to see TFL photos in Dalanzadgad)

Project site No5 – Bayanhongor, 2-3 Aug

• Territory – 44,788 square miles( 116000 sq. km)
• Center – Bayan-Khongor town, located 385 miles (620 km) from Ulaanbaatar.
• Number of somons – 20
• Bayan-Khongor aimag was established in 1941

Bayankhongor province is situated in the South-Western part of Mongolia, and occupies the high plateau of the South Khangai mountains, South-Eastern mountains of Gobi-Altai range, the middle part of depression of the great lakes of Western Mongolia, and the main part of Trans-Altai desert. Therefore, this aimag is called the “Area of the three zones”. The average altitude of the Bayankhongor aimag is 2,461-13,123 feet (750-4,000 m) above sea level.

TFL team traveled 10 hours in Gobi desert areas from Altai to Bayanhongor. Its TFL’s second visit to the province, maximum number for one visit – 905 new unscreened women were screened for cervical cancer. In TFL2008 screened 426 women.

(Click the picture to see TFL photos in Bayanhongor)

Project site No4 – Altai, 30-31 July

• Territory – 54,595 sq. miles (141,400 sq. km)
• Center – Altai town, located 624 miles (1,005 km) from Ulaanbaatar.
• Number of somons – 18
• Gobi-Altai aimag was established in 1940

Gobi-Altai aimag (Govi-Altai in mongolian) is situated in the western part of Mongolia. On the South-West it borders with the People’s Republic of China. The Sutai, Azh Bogd, Tayan, Edren, Burkhan buudai majestic peaks of the Mongol Altai mountains stretch from North to South through the territory of the aimag. The highest among them is Sutai peak clad in eternal snow at 13,865 feet (4,226 m) above sea level.

Its second visit for TFL to the province. 234 unscreened before women participated the service. In TFL2008 were screend 442 women.

(Click the picture to see TFL photos in Altai)

Project site No3 – Uliastai, 27-28 July

• Territory – 31,853 square miles (82,500 sq. km.)
• Center-Uliastai town, located 693 miles (1115 km) from Ulaanbaator.
• Number of somons – 24
• Zavkhan aimag was established in 1931

The coldest season is January with the average temperature of 90° F (-32° C). The annual precipitation is 8 – 12 inches (200 – 300 mm.). There are many rivers, such as Ider, Tes, Zavkhan, Khun. Small and big lakes include Otgon, Telmen, Khar, Kholboo. The longest river is Zavkhan, its length being 502 miles (808 km.). The largest lake is the Telmen – 77 square miles (200 sq. km.). Zavkhan aimag is a province of springs, such as Otgontenger, Ulaan Khaalga and Khojuul. Soil in the Western part of the territory is pale and in the eastern part it is mountain type forest soil.  The largest sand dune /Mongol sand/ and Bor Khar sand are located in the territory of Zavkhan aimag. In the forest bear, deer, boar, musk deer, may be encountered; wild sheep, ibex, lynx, and antelope in mountains; and black-tailed antelope in the steppe.

This is second visit to the village, 556 new unscreened women received the service. In TFL2008 screened 403 women.

(Click the picture to see photos of TFL in Uliastai)

Project site No2 – Murun, 22-23 July

• Territory – 38, 842 sq. miles (100,600 sq. km)
• Center – Murun village, located 430 miles (692 km) from Ulaanbaatar.
• Population : 124,500
• Population density : 1,24 p/sq. km
• Elevation of Capital City : 1283m
• Livestock & Crops : Sheep, Goat, Cattle, Horse/ Hay
• Ethnic Groups : Khalkh, Buryat, Tsaatan, Uriankhai, Darkhad
• Average temperatures : July + 16,9°C January – 23,8°C
• Number of somons – 23
• Khuvsgul aimag was established in 1931.

This is the northernmost and absolutely one of the most scenic aimags in the country. It is a land of crystal clear lakes, icy streams and tall green taiga forests. As the crown jewel it is dominated by the magnificent Khovsgol Nuur – one of the most scenic spots in Mongolia. There are also mountains with peaks near 3000m. Here also lives the Tsaatan reindeer people.

Its 3rd visit to the village, 501 unscreened women were involved in the service. The site has been involved in TFL screenings since 2006. In TFL07 was detected 26 pre-cancer cases which followed by successful treatments. In TFL2008 screened 204 women

(Click the picture to see photos of TFL in Murun)

Project site No 1 – Bulgan, 19-20 July

• Territory – 18,803 square miles (48,700 sq. km)
• Center -  town, located 205 miles (330 km) from Ulaanbaatar.
• Number of somons – 16.
• Bulgan aimag was established in 1938.
• Population – 67,300.

Bulgan aimag is situated in the North, in the territory of the Khangai mountain forest steppe zone.  Bulgan aimag is a curious mixture: the south is dry grassland and the north is green and has enough forest to support a small timber industry; scattered in between are about 50,000 hectares of wheat and vegetable crops – Mongolia’s agricultural heartland. The ethnic groups comprise Khalkh and Buryat.

TFL team member, Dr Yagaan, Head of Surgical department of National Cancer Center/NCC, a specialist on breast cancer, examinations done to detect early breast cancer. Local doctors have attended in training class on cervical cancer early detection by Dr Uyanga, Head of Cytology lab of NCC.

It is 3rd visit of TFL to the province and by TFL2010 screened 480 women.

(Click on above picture to see photos of TFL in Bulgan)

At the opening ceremony; Rotarians, Rotaractors and TFL friends in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

(Click the picture to see photos of the ceremony)