Ergene's Wool Workshop

In 2006, Ergene and her husband moved to Ireland to find jobs. They both found part-time work, and stayed for several years. In 2011, Ergene’s father-in-law became very ill. She and her husband wanted to care for him, but could not afford to return to Mongolia. Ergene had heard about IOM from friends, so she applied for return assistance for herself and her husband.

After they returned to Mongolia, Ergene and her husband were very glad to be back with their families. They moved in with his father to support him. Ergene immediately applied for the reintegration grant so that they could start a business that would allow them to support her father-in-law from home. With the grant, they began a small wool workshop out of their home.

In 2013, Ergene spoke with IOM staff in Mongolia. The wool workshop had not been sustainable, so after one year their family had sold the spin machine and other materials and put the money toward a house. Ergene felt settled down in Mongolia and did not wish to emigrate again.