Thank You From The Rotary Foundation (TRF)

Day before yesterday I received a mailer from the TRF seeking contribution to their funds that go to support humanitarian projects across the world. Promptly I request my friend in Boston, USA to make the contribution on my behalf. An hour back I received the following confirmation from the TRF that my humble contribution has been received into their Annual Fund.

Acknowledgement of my humble contribution to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund

I wish I could contribute more – we owe it to the Foundation. Few in Bhutan know that by the end of this Rotary year ending in June, 2022, the global Rotary community, with matching grant from the TRF, would have pumped in over Nu.150.00 millions, in aid money that went on to support Health, Education and Agriculture. By the end of next RI Year 2022-2023, we will cross the Nu.200.00 millions mark.

The Rotary Club of Thimphu is like no other NGO in Bhutan, in fact in the whole world. While other NGOs in Bhutan and elsewhere apply part of their donor gifted funds to support themselves and their organizations, we are the only NGO in the country that does not use a single Chettrum of the millions of project funds we receive. Every single Chettrum of project funds is used to implement projects for the people of Bhutan. We are the only NGO whose Members do not receive salaries, or TA/DA or reimbursements of expenses for the work we do for the community - ours is 100% voluntary service. Our travels are self-financed. In fact even the office rent, staff salary and Internet time is paid for out of the contributions collected from Club Members. Even the tea and snacks we consume during our weekly meetings is financed by contributions from the members – through collection of what is called Sunshine Money. Until mid last month every meeting we attended, we contributed Nu.100.00 for tea and snacks. But from end last month this contribution has been increased to Nu.150.00 per Member since we realized that it was not enough. The Club’s Secretariat is supported from the Membership Fees collected from its 25 Club Members – both active and honorary.

The Rotary Club of Thimphu is a gift to the people and the Kingdom of Bhutan - from the erstwhile DPT government. They spearheaded and financed the creation and Charter of the Club, in 2012. DPT’s Home and Cultural Affairs Minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji has the distinction and the privilege of being the country's only Rotary Club’s first and Charter President.

It is my hope that the creators and the progenitors of the Club are proud of their legacy – because I dare say that we have far exceeded their wildest expectations.