ASEZ WAO, Environmental Cleanup at Tuul River in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

On July 23, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group [ASEZ WAO] carried out environmental cleanup around the Tuul River, Khan-Uul, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Tuul River is the main source of drinking water for Ulaanbaatar citizens, and the Mongolian government is putting significant effort into its purification. At the request of the 11th Khoroo Khan-Uul District, around 100 volunteers, including the Minister of Environment and Tourism B. Bat-Erdene and officials, as well as Korean and local ASEZ WAO members, participated in this activity.

The area around the Tuul River was filled with trash such as disposable cups, glass bottles, plastic bags, and styrofoam. Despite the sudden downpour, members continued their volunteer work without pause for about one hour and thirty minutes from 12:30 p.m., collecting approximately one tonne of trash along the riverbank. An ASEZ WAO member named Jang Hye-ji from Korea, shared proud sentiments, saying, “I’m pleased to be able to volunteer together with a mindset that cares for the Earth.”

After the cleanup concluded that day, Minister B. Bat-Erdene awarded ASEZ WAO with a citation and asked for their continued efforts for environmental protection in the future. An official from the Ministry of E’nvironment stated, “Mongolia is seriously affected by global warming. At this crucial moment where everyone’s participation in environmental protection is vital, the young adults of ASEZ WAO have taken the lead in preserving nature and creating clean local communities,” and expressed his gratitude. The volunteer work on this day was reported in major Mongolian media outlets, including NTV МЭДЭЭ [NTV NEWS].