Local artisan supporters – ‘‘Remember firstly, that you are a guest in Mongolia’’

When someone mentions business opportunities in Mongolia you immediately assume it’s mining, tourism or perhaps real estate they’re talking about. Well, for Bill and Irene Manley it’s none of the above. When people speak about this married couple, they’re usually discussing the beautiful and unique, 100% Mongolian hand crafted gifts and the wonderful opportunities the couple is providing for Mongolia’s forgotten artisans.

The Manleys established a small yet productive company called “Mary and Martha” about 5 years ago. This company is responsible for developing business opportunities for many talented Mongolian artists. Their website (www.mmmongolia.com) explains how the organisation, “aims to be the ‘bridge’ or a ‘good middleman,’ bringing together the skills, creativity and fantastic products of artisans, helping them to reach markets they otherwise cannot reach.”

By providing the necessary networking framework, small businesses and individuals from the far corners of Mongolia can now stay in their home towns and sell their items. They never have to migrate to Ulaanbaatar in order to make a living like so many others need to do. Bill and Irene are currently partnered with 27 artisan groups from all over the country. As a result, their successful and rewarding venture, Mary and Martha, is growing at an amazing 40% per year. They are especially proud because in 2011 the company received its Membership Certificate from the World Fair Trade Organisation.

If you haven’t done so before, be sure to pay a visit to Mary and Martha which is located just off Peace Avenue, near the Gobi Cashmere House corner (right next to the French Bakery). Don’t forget to also check out the Mary and Martha blog which is loaded with insightful information such as the problems of pickpocketing in UB. You can find their blog at maryandmarthamongolia.blogspot.com

Q&A Time with Bill and Irene Manley

-Describe your first visit to Mongolia 

-We arrived for an interview with JCS International. It was April 2000 – sunshine, relatively empty streets, few cars and few signs of any restaurants. Within two days we were in blizzard conditions as we traveled from Biocombinat towards UB. We were stopped at a control point due to a foot & mouth outbreak. 

Surprisingly to us our official car was waved through.

-What is the best thing about living in Mongolia?

-The general positive ness and ‘can do’ attitudes of many people. Some are far too optimistic, but all willing to make things happen. On the food side of life – the variety and availability of meat; sheep, goat, beef, horse, camel and maybe the occasional marmot.

-How has UB changed since your fist visit?

-We moved to UB in 2002 and settled into our apartment in 2003. From our position near the Sansar crossroads, we had a wonderful view of the mountains. The Kempinski was not even built at that time – probably 90% of the more recent construction had not yet started. Our 10 story building stood head and shoulders above all others in the local area. We regularly watched horse drawn carts passing by and we walked the small hills in the Jukov area, later to be covered by gers and now by apartment blocks. The ger districts were much less dense than today and did not stretch so many kilometers out of the city. Today we see a modern city in development with all the signs and trappings of a new wealth, at least at a national level. 

We also see people raising their expectations in relation to employment, salary and purchasing power – whilst in reality the great majority of folk will not be able to meet their expectations.

-Describe a perfect weekend in Mongolia.

-We’re in the fair trade hand craft business so our weekends are hopefully times of being very busy serving masses of customers.

-What’s your advice to UB newcomers?

-Remember firstly, that you are a guest in Mongolia. It is not your home country; many cultural aspects are very different. We like to think, “because a person speaks English, they may not think English” and why should they? We bring our own values which, right or wrong, are different so we should assume nothing and most of all expect the unexpected.

On a practical note – know that pick pockets will see you as an easy target – don’t live in fear, but do make it more difficult for folk who want to relieve you of your IPad, phone, or wallet. Do what it takes so you can honestly say “that guy was good” rather than “I’ve been an idiot”.

-Is there anything you can’t live without in UB?

-No. We’ve been nomadic for about 25 years and have always set up home quickly and worked on going local as fast as possible. After 10 years in UB we can actually get lots of things we don’t even need, so we tend to have a lifestyle with less material stresses than many of our Mongolian friends who seek everything new.

-Have you managed to learn any Mongolian?

-Yes, our spoken Mongolian is still limited, but our understanding in our area of work – supporting artisans / purchasing / giving business advice – is good.

-What’s your favourite UB restaurant/s?

-We love Indian / Nepali food so Namaste in Sansar at the Flower Hotel is a favourite. But for fast good food and an economical price our local Chinese going north in Sansar is our main haunt. It comes from living on the East side of town and not wanting to have to fight the traffic to get to the more central restaurants.

-What’s your favourite pastime or something you like to do to relax?

-Just be ‘at home’– turn off the mobile, shut down the internet and relax with a good malt. Or drop into the Steppe to catch up with the local expat community.

-Picture Ulaanbaatar 20 years from now and tell me what you see.

-An even bigger city!!! But with clean air, an underground metro, all kids going to school, no drunks on the street, much smaller ger districts, more green areas…………am I an optimist?

-What is your favourite Mongolian food?

-Fatty tail of sheep – and our Mongolian friends know this well so we each get an extra portion during Tsagaan Sar

-What music do you listen to when you are stuck in UB traffic?

-No need for music – 90% of the time we walk and 10% take the bus, which has its own brand of entertainment.

-Who inspires you both?

-Jesus and the principles He brings to our lives.

-What was the last book you two read?

-Leading from the Lion’s Den – Tom R. Harper

-Do you have a favourite quote or motto to live by?

-Let your Yes be YES and your No be NO

-If you could have dinner with 5 people who would they be?

-Probably the Prime Minister, President and two of our staff so we could talk about where the country is going and how it will really make a positive difference to regular working Mongolians and those less fortunate.

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