Leading the way

Originating from a nomadic family, Bertsetseg (Beree) Vanjil (MSW ’12) grew up with her seven siblings in western Mongolia. From a young age, she had a desire to help disadvantaged people and later worked in orphanages and with those vulnerable in her community. ‘I helped a lot but I also learned a lot from these people as well,’ says Beree.

Beree later received an Australian Leadership Award Scholarship to study a Master of Social Work at Flinders University, graduating in 2012. On returning home she noticed a big shift in young people using the internet instead of reading books. ‘Technology isolates many youths from simple interaction with societal members. It affects their overall health wellbeing and creates huge mental health issues,’ said Beree.

This led Beree  and her eight-year-old daughter Michko to establish Mongolia’s first family-friendly public library. Four years later the library has been widely recognised for its positive impact on families. In 2016 the initiative was awarded by the Mongolian Library Association and Michko was awarded by the Mongolian Prime Minister for her efforts to support Mongolian children.

As the Founder and President of Board of Directors for Mongolian Professional Art Therapy Association, Beree is also working hard to pioneer art psychotherapy as a profession in Mongolia. ‘While I was doing my placements during my study in Australia and visiting professional organisations, I found that art therapy was one of the most effective interventions to help clients who are suffering,’ said Beree.