One Peace Corps Volunteer’s Ripple Effect in Mongolia

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Christopher Wizda. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Christopher Wizda, a Peace Corps volunteer in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, has made significant contributions to education, community development and cultural exchange – with 3,000 hours of volunteer work with the Peace Corps under his belt.

Christopher is no stranger to getting to know new places. As a military kid, he moved throughout his entire life, and with one exception, never spent more than three years anywhere. He attended six different schools and earned a master’s in international business development. He considers Alaska home, as well as parts of the American South and New Hampshire. And for most of his last three decades, he’s been actively serving others.

“Service has always been a big part of my life,” Christopher reflects. “I was in Boy Scouts and made it all the way to Eagle Scout, which instilled in me a spirit of community service. After Scouts, I was involved in the Special Olympics, as a delegation liaison during the World Games. After my university days, I got back into the Red Cross, working with refugees, while volunteering at a museum for the arts. At the time, I was also working at a school as an English teacher. Then, in my free time, I was doing a lot of volunteering at the U.N., which was almost a full-time job in itself!”

Around this time, Christopher decided he wanted to shift focus, working with one American organization that combined education and community development. The Peace Corps was the perfect avenue. And as the Ulaanbaatar community can attest, his dedication to his role is evident in numerous contributions. First and foremost, he has co-taught English classes, mentored students and collaborated with local teachers to enhance the quality of education for nearly 27 months.

“As a Peace Corps volunteer, our work is comprised into two parts: English education and community development,” Christopher shares. “About half my day is spent at a school, teaching English, working with clubs and teachers, and facilitating education as a native English speaker.”

Beyond the classroom, he has also actively engaged with the community, implementing initiatives like digital literacy training and supporting social enterprises.

“On the community development side, that’s up to me – it’s whatever I’m interested in,” Christopher says. “Personally, I’m really interested in business and arts. I try to find organizations that exhibit both the business side and creative side. One of them is the Mongolian Quilting Center, one of my favorite initiatives to work with. It combines art, creativity and Mongolian culture, and also empowers women coming from hard economic circumstances as well as people with disabilities.”

To date, Christiopher has helped to increase the Mongolian Quilting Center’s sales by 7% and engaged over 200 participants in its 20th-anniversary event. Additionally, he has developed a framework for a 12-acre innovation hub, involving stakeholders from the U.S., Taiwan and Mongolia.

Christopher has also played a crucial role in promoting digital literacy in Mongolia. He has distributed over 36,000 Wikipedia guides, conducted workshops for students and teachers, and secured a $45,330 grant for educational programs. His efforts have benefited hundreds of individuals and contributed to the overall development of the country.

“The fact that I’m seeing results and I’m seeing interest is so rewarding,” Christopher says. “There haven’t been any cases of stagnation. People keep coming back for workshops. One of my mentees for one of the college clubs got a full-ride scholarship to university. Seeing the kids at the school getting excited and using their English more. It’s been wonderful to see these tangible results.”

As a Peace Corps brand ambassador, Christopher has actively promoted a better understanding of Mongolia and volunteerism in the United States. He has engaged with over 400 individuals through social media, outreach events and public speaking. By sharing his experiences and insights, he has inspired others to consider volunteerism and international service.

“Mongolia is a very unique place,” Christopher shares. “The culture itself is like a giant village. They’re very proud of their culture, and have a very deep connection to the land, their environment and their own Mongolian heritage. People are really open to development, education, new knowledge and new experiences. It’s very refreshing. I find it inspiring.”

Christopher’s dedication to his work has earned him recognition from the Mongolian government. He was awarded the Teacher’s Sign Award for his contributions to the country’s education sector. There is no doubt his impact on the lives of the Mongolian people will be felt for years to come.

Christopher encourages anyone interested in volunteering to start by creating a personal identity map. “What makes you you?” He asks. “What are your likes and dislikes? What member of the family are you? Who are your friends? What are your hobbies and interests? Then, do a neighborhood map. See what’s around. There might be someone or something in your area that can be utilized. Personal and physical – as well as social – resource utilization is crucial.”

Indeed, getting to know oneself is a central theme of Christopher’s story. With all the volunteer opportunities out there, he urges people to find their niche – something they can really put their heart and soul into.

“And even if one thinks they have a restriction – physical, mental or otherwise – there are always ways to work around that,” he states. “Anything that may feel like it’s holding you back, remember that you have other skills that have developed, and those can be just as valuable in service work.”

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Christopher? Find local volunteer opportunities.