Maral's Restaurant

When Maral could not find steady work in Mongolia, she came to Ireland in 2007. She found jobs in housekeeping, hotel work, and shops. In 2010, however, she was unemployed for several months and could not afford housing. She decided to return to Mongolia.

Maral knew three other people who returned with IOM assistance, so she applied to the VARRP. After she returned, she also applied for a reintegration grant to start a small business.

Maral had a hard time adjusting to life in Mongolia. She found it much more expensive than when she had left. At first, she wanted to stay home with her family, but eventually she was ready to open her business. Maral wanted to open a greenhouse but the rents were too expensive. Instead, she found a restaurant space that she could rent with a friend. With the grant, she bought a rice cooker, water boiler, and stove to open a small kitchen.

After six months, Maral spoke with IOM staff in Mongolia about her business. She reported that she thought she would start to earn a profit within three months. She was employing a cook and a waiter, and hoped to expand. She still hopes, however, to save enough money to one day build a greenhouse. Her true interest is in agriculture, and she wants to grow and sell vegetables in local markets.