Saying Thank You Isn’t Easy

I am currently engrossed in an endeavor to launch a crowd funding initiative in Japan – to raise funds to acquire a small ambulance for donation to a struggling NGO in the health sector. While everything is being readied by a generous friend in Japan, my responsibility at this end is to craft a suitably worded THANK YOU note – to be presented to individual donors for their generosity.

Thank You Note printed on Desho paper for presentation to donors

Mindful that people are going to be donating hundreds of thousands of Ngugies destined for a cause in a country most do not even know where it is located, I am trying to make the Thank You note a worthy one. The only way I can think of doing so is by printing the note on our elegant Desho – traditional handmade Bhutanese paper - made from the bark of wild Daphne trees. I mean, gold-rimmed, diamond-studded Thank You notes are beyond my means.

But boy!!! I did not realize how difficult the endeavor would prove to be – of translating the idea into a presentable product!

The entire gamut of desktop publishing services in town declined to print my Thank You note! Their reason: the rough surface of the Desho would damage the print heads of their InkJet printers. What a ridiculous reason!!! This shows how uneducated the service providers are about their profession and what they do.

For the life of me, I could not convince them that they are wrong – that the InkJet printers are, what are called, None-Impact Printers. This means that the printers print without the need for contact between the print head and the paper surface on which the images are printed. In fact, the InkJet printers DO NOT HAVE print heads – they use a series of fine nozzles to spray microscopic droplets of ink onto the paper to form the images – THE NOZZLES DO NOT TOUCH THE SURFACE OF THE PAPER AT ALL!!!

No Go!

So, in frustration, I ended up buying a brand new Epson InkJet printer to do the job – what a drag!

Honoring A Donor During A Moment Of The Celebration Of Success & Achievement

Dear Tomo-san,

Greetings from Bhutan. I hope you have received my yesterday’s mail.

Once again may I offer you my CONGRATULATIONS on your numerous roles in the Council and the Associations of your City. Although I am aware that these multiple roles would mean added burden, and responsibility, it is demonstrative that you have earned the trust and faith of your people and authorities around you. I am in no doubt that you would live up to their expectations.

Today I write to convey to you a news that should surely warm your heart and give you a sense of fulfillment, and even, perhaps, joy and pride in your achievements - not only at home but in places thousands of miles away from your own shores.

You may recall that you had organized the donation of funds that went on to secure 85 acres of farmland with solar fencing, in a remote village called Goleng in Zhemgang, Central Bhutan. That was in 2016. In 2017, you followed up with another funding that helped fence the whole village of Nimshong spanning a distance of 7 KMs - another village - yet again in Zhemgang.

These activities were in support of a young and a fledgling agriculture farming cooperative - started by 16 youth from various villages in Zhemgang District - called Khengrig Namsum Cooperative (KNC), which was started in 2014.

In 2018, you donated a large farm tractor to KNC, valued at Nu.1.460 million. This donation was invaluable in every sense - it survived a fire in the processing facility of the KNC in which they lost everything - but the tractor. During the ensuing difficult times the cooperative faced, the tractor helped them earn much needed cash that helped overcome their difficulties.

If that were not enough, during the CODVID-19 pandemic when human and vehicular movements were restricted, the government authorities used your tractor to cart and deliver essential foods to the most remote parts of the District - to people who were under strict lockdown.

As you can see, your generosity has transcended all boundaries - the benefit has been immeasurable, to say the least.

But this day the reason why I write to you goes beyond singing your laurels - I want to let you know where the fledgling cooperative - the KNC - stands today - 8 years since you lent them your helping hand. The KNC as an organization has grown into something that can only be described as - HONORABLE. The Agriculture Department of the government admits that they are a shinning example of what agriculture marketing cooperatives should aspire to be. It is a measure of their success and competence that, for the first time in the history of Bhutan, they hosted the first ever Watermelon Festival in the Kingdom of Bhutan - yesterday: 04/06/2023. I was invited to the event and, therefore, I am able to share some of the following photos of the event.

The event marked the celebration of the 33rd Birth Anniversary of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, Queen of Bhutan

First ever Water Melon Festival held in Thimphu on June 4, 2023

Watermelons distributed during the event - eat to your heart's content - all FREE.

You may be happy to know that KNC is behind Bhutan’s largest export consignment to date - that of ten thousand kgs. of turmeric powder. Even better, they tell me that export of a like quantity of ginger is in the pipeline - yet again destined for the export market.

It is my hope that these success stories would warm your heart - and help you see meaning in what you are called upon to do - selflessly.

The KNC has a long way to go - but as you can see, they are on the path of success already - thanks to your hand holding them during their formative years.

Thank you once again on behalf of KNC and the Rotary Club of Thimphu who acted as the conduit for your funding.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Goleng : 2016

Nimshong : 2017

A day trip to Zhemgang by helicopter - to hand over the US$79,000.00 agriculture production project : 2018

 Charity on wheels - a large farm tractor donated to KNC : 2018

Bye and take care.

Yeshey

We Cannot Rescue The Whole Of Humanity - But We Can - One Human at a Time

As a Member of Bhutan Stroke Foundation, I was made aware of the distressing condition of a STROKE survivor. Her details are as follows:

Dependents : 3 daughters aged 11, 14, and 16 years of age

Village         : Lhaushing

Gewog         : Tongzhang

Dzongkhag : Trashi Yangtse, Eastern Bhutan

Aged 48 years, she is a single mother. She is without parents or siblings. Housed in a ramshackle hut close to Changbangdu public vehicle parking area in Thimphu, she supported herself and her three young daughters - weaving Kiras and Ghos.

Make your heart the starting point of your journey - you will do well.

During the middle of the first COVID-19 lockdown in the year 2020, she suffered a stroke - resulting in her total physical incapacitation. Consequently she was deprived of the one skill that provided her and her children a livelihood - weaving. She had no choice but to relocate herself back to her ancestral home in Trashiyangtse - a desperate, last ditch move that was the only option that was open to her.

That was a wise move - the community in her village rallied around her and rendered her support. Some helped her grow vegetables in her kitchen garden, some tiled her fallow land on her behalf, and yet others provided all essentials to keep her home hearth burning. Life for her has been hard - but she has been living a life, nonetheless - proof that community vitality is still alive in rural Bhutan.

During April of this year I stepped in and, through a kind friend in the USA, he managed to get an American Foundation to come to her aid. Henceforth this Foundation will fund the cost of educating the three daughters - they will be provided with everything they need - school uniform, casual clothing, shoes, socks, lunch boxes, umbrellas, panties, and sanitary pads, pencils, books, crayons, facial creams etc. etc., including pocket money of Nu.500.00 per month.

But what about the mother? The American Foundation helps with educating underprivileged children - they do not support struggling mothers. This is where organizations such as the Bhutan Cancer Society and Bhutan Stroke Foundation, lent a helping hand. Through their help, a bakery is being set up in the proximity of her village. The income from this venture will, it is hoped, help the mother be less dependent on the village community. Market for the modest production from this bakery stands assured.

While the bakery equipment is already in place, I now need to train workers on the use of the machine and in the skills of baking. I need to provide funds for the initial raw materials needed during the training, and funds for training in skills of baking and the seed money to kick-start the enterprise and to keep it going during its seminal period. And it is at this stage that I approach the three of you - my siblings - and appeal to your sense of charity. Please help me overcome the final hurdle - to make available the funding to kick-start the enterprise of charity and compassion. I need you to help me put together the funding as follows:

1. Cost of training for four people, for 2-3 days

      including cost of travel to the training venue        Nu. 14,000.00

2. Trainers Fees                                                                 4,000.00

3. Accommodation for the trainees                                 2,500.00

4. Training material during the training period                 5,500.00

5. Seed money to keep the enterprise going               20,000.00

    

     Total Fund Requirement:                                Nu. 46,000.00

For this small fund requirement, I am limiting my appeal to only three of you: Yangchen, Leki and Lhakpa. I will chip in as well. Please contribute, as you are able. Your contribution may be transferred to my Bank Account, as follows:

Bank of Bhutan

Bhutan National Bank

During mid this month I visited Trashiyangtse with the express purpose of meeting the mother and the three daughters. I met with the schoolteachers of the two schools in which the three girls study. I am assured that the girls are very well behaved and disciplined and courteous - traits that go to make useful citizens of the future.

Currently, the youngest girl aged 11 years of age is the mother’s sole in-house support system - she changes her pads for her and helps her manage her nature’s call. She baths her and cooks and feeds her on a daily basis. Two elder daughters are away in the school hostels to be of any help. The following are the three girls:

We cannot hope to rescue the whole of humanity - but certainly it is within us all to try and rescue one of them - one at a time.

Please help!

( Acho Yeshey Dorji )

The Ukraine Tragedy And The Danger It Represents To Humanity

Hi Brian,

Greetings from Bhutan. It is my hope that this finds you well and safe.

One Ms. Barb Roberts of Australia tells me that she has deposited a sum of $200.00 into the bank account of Disaster Aid Australia. I shall appreciate if you could acknowledge the same.

This money was intended to be paid to a Bhutanese student in Punakha - as her annual contribution towards the boy’s education. When she sought my help in remitting the money from Australia to Bhutan, I requested her to credit the amount into the DAA’s bank account and that I would pay the boy in Punakha - the counter value in local currency.

I would like to explain that this amount is a small amount that I am offering – not as a donation or as a contribution to augment the DAA’s endeavors to come to the aid of the human tragedy that is current in Ukraine. This amount represents my share - my due, as a member of the human society - towards the global community’s response with kindness and generosity - towards an act of mindless brutality by a man gone completely insane.

UN Security Council in session to discuss Ukraine tragedy

I accept that our engagement is not intended to influence the outcome of the invasion, but to help contain the humanitarian tragedy and suffering that is the fallout of this act of brutality by Russian President Putin. I am honored to channel my share through your organization - the DAA - an organization that has helped thousands of Bhutanese children through your one million dollars “BHUTAN2020” safe water project in Bhutan. It is my misfortune that I am in no position to honor DAA in more meaningful ways – than these words of gratitude expressed earnestly and with honesty.

What Putin has dared do in Ukraine sets a dangerous precedence. He has not only vandalized a peaceful country and its innocent people, he intimidated the global community with the threat of use of nuclear weapons. Wisely, the world leaders are aware of the outcome of such an eventuality. But Putin must be made aware that there are other ways in which he can be taught a lesson – that he may win a war – but he will lose the battle. No amount of justification is justification enough for the destruction of human life and properties that he is causing to the Ukrainians, and, through them the world community who too will stand to suffer in this interconnected world.

Allowing Putin to win is not an option. Particularly not for small countries like Bhutan and Taiwan. The world community needs to demonstrate to Putin and others like him waiting in the wings - that no one can, and should, act with such utter disregard for human decency – just because he has nuclear bombs as his bargaining chip.

Bye and take care.

Life-long Journey of Charity and Community Service

I may have severed my ties with a charitable organization – but it appears that my journey of charity and community service has not ended. Yet again, I got drawn in into another charity work – that of the donation of a house to a destitute old couple in Tama-Gonphai village in Zhemgang. The donors – Tarayana Foundation affiliated Bhutan Dragons Motorcycle Club – agreed to fund the construction of the house provided I act as the coordinator to the project. Well, why not? It is a uniquely fascinating idea – have fun riding to remote places and at the end of the journey – do a meaningful charity work that bring happiness and cheer in the lives of some poor country men.

Ably managed by the Tama-Berti Chiwog Tshogpa Ms. Kinzang Deki, the project took a little over two months – although severely hampered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of the project began on 15th October, 2021. By mid-December the construction of the house, including a separate toilet, was completed. It was handed over to the grateful old couple on the 7th of January 2022.

As has become a norm with me, all my numerous project implementations end with a detailed Project Completion Report to the donors. The following are few pages from my Project Completion Report to the immediate past project donors - Bhutan Dragons Motorcycle Club:

Project Completion Report's Cover

The inside story of how it all began

The house and basic essentials being handed over to the beneficiaries on 7th January, 2022

Curtesy of donors around the globe, I have implemented close to 100 projects and have been party to 7 more Rotary Projects that are currently in the pipeline. But one lesson that the latest donors taught me is this: Do not just give an empty house - to make the charity even more meaningful and valuable, populate the house with some basic essentials, such as mattresses, water boilers, rice cooker, curry cooker, buckets etc. etc. This is a life-lesson I will remember in my future charity endeavors.

I am happy to say that this project is the second project that has been implemented with quality and speed, due solely to the hard work of the Tama-Berti Chiwog Tshogpa and hassle-free funding by the donors. The other community service project that was implemented at a speed that will be hard to match - is the Rotary Club of Thimphu's toilet project in Bongo village, Chhukha Dzongkhag. Due to the hard work and diligence of the coordinator there - Mr. Sangay Thinley, the incumbent EDO of Chhukha Dzongkhag Administration, the construction of 36 detached, pour-flush toilets with bath facility was completed in record 35 days!

Drin Jorpa Warey

This is the second time that has happened to me.

The first time was when my mom was about to pass away – it was as if she knew for sure that her moment had arrived. It was in Gelephu sometime in the late 1970s. My mom was bed-ridden – she was suffering from cancer. One afternoon she called me to her bedside and took my hand into hers. She removed her gold ring from her finger and inserted in into mine, saying:

"Okai ngai shuijab wen warey – Ngatna khachem jang labtemen mooth – pholab theg labtey weth na. Wii werai aama na drinlab khaba khriba jorba warey. Weth nyai bo buzey ngat sonam sakna."

"This is my parting gift to you – I have no last words for you. But I want to tell you something. Please know that you have fulfilled a son’s duty and obligation to his mother in full. I have been blessed to have you as my son."

Hours later she breathed her last.

The second time was on the 7th of this month. I had gone to Tama-Gonphai village to participate in the handing over ceremony of a house built for an old destitute couple by the Tarayana Foundation affiliated Bhutan Dragons Motorcycle Club. After the ceremony was over, I walked over to the old lady to ask if there was anything else they needed. She said she needed nothing more, adding:

"Wii mebran – wheth chiingku buzi nyigmo ngui weth nyai kaidoh sama bakpa. Dusoom wii osokai maigey roram buzey ---- we ngatna drinlab khaba khriba jorpa warey."

"You do not know – but when you were a child I carried you on my back many, many times. Please know that today with your participation in this house donation, you have paid your debt to me in full."

I was clueless about this - but that is not important.

No less touching was a letter of farewell written to me by Rotary Club of Thimphu’s Executive Secretary – Ms Tshering Choden. The letter was waiting for me on my table when I returned from Zhemgang on the 8th – it read as follows:

This letter is testimony that I have done good – not only in the fulfillment of my duties and responsibilities to my community in my capacity as the Club’s Secretary – but even to my colleague with whom I worked and interacted on a daily basis. I am glad that I have been able to instill in her a sense of responsibility and dedication – the need for hard work and, above all, to do things with an eye for perfection.

The Club President and the Club Secretary wanted to give me a farewell dinner – I declined saying that the Club was poor and could not afford it. I did not need a dinner that would cost between Nu.20-30,000.00. The letter written by ES Tshering is far more touching and meaningful than any dinner. It acknowledges my relevance – that I have given back to the society from which I took so much.

This letter is my JUST REWARD for my 7 years of service.

Please Surrender Your Subsidized LPG Cylinders

If anything is constant – it is the process of education and learning. I got to realize this in the morning today, on my way back from Paro.

A young girl flagged me down at Chuzom looking for a ride home. I was all alone and so I stopped and told her to hop in. As we approached Thimphu, she asked if I could drop her off to her house in Simtokha.

I said; “sorry I am running late for an appointment so I will have to drop you off at Olarongchhu.”

I heard her call a friend seeking for a loan. I realized that she did not have money to pay for the taxi ride home. So I asked her;

“How much would a taxi ride cost you?

She said; “Nu.100.00”.

So I gave her the money. For me it was cheaper to give her Nu.100.00 rather than take a diversion to drop her off at her home.

As I continued my drive, the realization hit me that there were people out there who did not possess Nu.100.00. For God’s sake --- that is less than the price of half a bottle of beer I drink. Even more disturbing – I realized that to someone poor, Nu.100.00 meant a hell of a lot of money – the difference between reaching home or being stranded in the middle of a highway.

When I reached Motithang, I headed straight for BOD. There I inquired about exchanging my subsidized LPG cylinders with those of none subsidized ones. The girl said not a problem --- you can take anytime you want. I said;

“But I want to surrender my subsidized cylinders so that they can be issued to more deserving users. What do I do?” She said, nothing we give you the new cylinders at a reduced price.

I am told that the price difference between the subsidized and none subsidized LPG is only Nu.200.00. But the incident of the morning taught me that Nu.200.00 can be a big deal to someone who is poor and does not have the money.

I decided that I am going to surrender both my old cylinders when they run out - and take the none subsidized ones. It is my hope that two villagers in some remote corner of the country who may be short of Nu.200.00 may yet have his/her chance at owing a LPG cylinder.

I know that the world is an unfair place – but that should not be the reason NOT to do our part – however small. I know that it is the rich, the highly salaried in the country – the Ministers, the Secretaries, the Directors and the politicians who get to import cars duty free, and buy chocolates and whiskey and perfume – at quota rates - while the lowly paid peons and the drivers and the clerks pay over 200% duty to buy their cars and booze.

If this was a fair world, you would not be buying LPG for cooking your meals or heating your homes – you would be using the much hyped hydro-electricity at much cheaper prices. But the sad thing is that we cannot afford our own electricity to cook and to heat – and thus we are forced to hanker after subsidized LPG.

I urge all those of you who think you can afford to pay additional Nu.200.00 a month, please opt for the none subsidized LPG cylinders. Doing so will help some poor villager finally get their subsidized LPG that they deserve.

Third Rotary Service Project During the Month

The Rotary Club of Thimphu has been very busy this month. This is the third Service Project we are implementing during the first half of this month. This has got to be a record of sorts, in the life of a Rotary Club, anywhere in the world. Rarely a Club does one project in a month. Some Clubs do not do even one project during the entire Rotary year.

The six GLSS SEN teachers pose with the Vice President of National Federation of the Disabled, Nepal and Ms. Sabita Upreti, Head of Special School for the Disabled & Rehabilitation Center, Kathmandu

GLSS's full set of SEN teachers and Members pose with the TV & Computer system donated to the school as part of the project

This third in a series of projects implemented by the Rotary Club of Thimphu is, yet again, in a school: Gelephu Lower Secondary School, Gelephu. Under this Rotary Project, we sent 6 SEN (Special Education Needs) school teachers of the school for a 6 days, fully paid, training course to a specialized institute in Kathmandu, Nepal. The teachers learnt how to teach and handle school children with a variety of disabilities. The project also included the purchase and delivery of a set of desktop computer and a 40” Color TV.

Rotray Club of Thimphu appreciated by the Gelephu Lower Secondary School - Letter of Appreciation

The Rotary Club of Thimphu has also part-funded the creation of play facilities, including the turfing of the playground at the Changangkha SEN School, Thimphu.

It is our hope that we can continue to support in capacity building in the SEN Schools. But as I said in my earlier post, good intentions are not always reciprocated with equal zeal and enthusiasm.

The Gelephu SEN School project was made possible with funding from Huskvarna Rotary Klubb, Sweden.

Second Rotary Service Project During the Month

Even as I was busy handing over two Rotary service projects in distant Gelephu, our Club President and Director of Community Services were soaking in the limelight at the Babesa Lower Secondary School, on the same day, where they were simultaneously handing over another of our service projects – supply and installation of two filtered and UV treated safe drinking water systems.

The Babesa LSS Principal flanked by our Club President and Community Services Director during the hand-over of the 1st of the two filtered and UV treated safe drinking water to the school.

The school Principal takes over the 2nd drinking water station from the Club official

School children drinking from the safter drinking water station

The supply and installation of safe drinking water stations also included a plastic water storage tank

This project funded by the Rotary Club of Kushiro, Japan will be the last of the water supply projects that we will do in urban schools. During our last weekly Meeting held on Friday the 9th June, 2017, the Club decided that we will no longer support water supply projects in the urban schools. The rationale behind this decision is that the parents in urban schools are financially competent enough to contribute small sums towards the well-being and health of their children. This we believe is not true of parents in the rural schools.

This year, the Rotary Club hopes to be doing 5-6 safe drinking water supply projects in the schools. They will all be for schools in the rural areas.

In addition to safe drinking water supplies, the Rotary Club of Thimphu was hoping to contribute significantly in strengthening the SEN (Special Education Needs) schools in the country. In fact we already have one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject willing to undertake a study and produce a road map on how to go about doing this – in Bhutan’s current 14 SEN schools spread across the country. All free of professional fees! Once the study is done and a road map is charted out, the Rotary Club of Thimphu would then promote the proposal to its 35,000 Clubs and 1.3 million Members around the world, to take up the implementation of the proposals.

Unfortunately, getting the bureaucracy to do their job is like trying to nudge the Mt. Everest – solidly immobile and stoically clueless. No amount of pushing and goading has worked – it is as if we have some self-interest in it. Come to think of it – may be it is the lack of self-interest that is hindering the project’s progress.

The Rotary Club Of Thimphu Serves The Living, As Well As The Dead

It sounds almost morbid – but it is true. The Rotary Club of Thimphu has gone beyond serving the living and the corporeal. In what could be the first among hundreds of thousands of Rotary initiatives around the world, our latest service project embraces the cause of the dead and the lifeless.

During early April, 2017, the Central Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu had written to us for the donation of deep freezers, in order that they could preserve the dead bodies that cannot be moved out of the hospital, on religious grounds. Having obtained the permission of the Ministry of Health to do so, we swiftly organized the purchase and delivery of three large 308 liters capacity box freezers.

In my capacity as the Club Secretary, I drove down to Gelephu day-before-yesterday (Sunday) to officially hand over the freezers to the hospital authorities.

Dr. Tapas Gurung, Medical Superintendent of Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital along with some hospital staff pose for photo shoot during handover of the donation

As I drove back to Thimphu yesterday afternoon, I could not stop wondering if there was any merit in what we did – spend time and effort and precious money behind an endeavor that is solely intended to preserve something that is destined for the funeral pyre, to be turned to ashes. Of the millions of ways in which we could demonstrate our sense of charity and spirit of giving, why choose the preservation of lifeless bodies, as a cause deserving of our compassion?

At the end of my ponderous return journey of over 8 hours, I was in no doubt that the cause was indeed a worthy one. This conviction stems from the Buddhist belief that the dead, however poor or rich, literate or illiterate, highly spiritual or totally unaccomplished, deserves a worthy send-off, on his/her journey into the netherworld. In my experience, for the Bhutanese, the mourning of the cessation of a life is ten times more evocative, than the celebration of the birth of a new life. It is for this reason that some Bhutanese families go bankrupt, preparing for, and conducting the last rites for the dead and the departed. Thus, preserving the physical remains of the departed, in order that the bereaved family is able to conduct a fitting and dignified ritual and last rites, can qualify as a meritorious act, deserving of praise and commendation.

To give to those who you know will not say “THANK YOU” for your act of compassion, I believe, is truly selfless. To act for the cause of the mute, the defenseless and the incapacitated is, in my opinion, the highest form of Buddhist charity.

THANK YOU: I would like to offer my thanks to all the Members of the Rotary Club of Thimphu, for readily consenting to my request for this act of kindness. The money used for the purchase of these three freezers was originally destined for our “Education & Lifeskills Fund” that is being created – to provide scholarships to the living and the needy. Our Fund is so much poorer as a result – but we hope to be able to build the Fund to a total of Nu.2.0 million by the end of this financial year, from the current total collection of little over Nu.1.4 million. Our final target is Nu.30.00 million.

To my none-Buddhist readers: In our Buddhist belief, some deaths occur on days/nights that are considered inauspicious – depending on the astrological sign of one’s birth. During such occasions, the body of the departed cannot be cremated and, in some cases, it cannot even be moved out of the premises where the death had occurred. The body has to remain in the same place and cannot be cremated for a period of time until the astrological calculations permit for it to be moved to the cremation grounds for cremation. Until that time the body needs preserving, most often by putting them into freezers, to prevent decay and deterioration. This is where the freezers become useful.
 

Langdhurbi: Take 2

The remote village of Langdhurbi in Zhemgang District is 7 hours walk from the nearest road head. Far removed from the razzal-dazzle of modernity that is fast changing the social and cultural landscape of urban Bhutan, the simple folks in this pigeonhole of a village live out their lives devoid of dreams. They are incapable of dreams for, they know not what to dream for. All their lives they have been wrapped within the bounds of their cocoon – living a way of life that is a slice right out of the medieval times. This lot has not seen electricity, television or a motor vehicle in their lives – until Rotary Club of Thimphu decided to change that for some of the children from this village.

In July of last year, the Rotary Club of Thimphu transported 20 young children from this impoverished village and brought them to Thimphu for a week. For the first time these children took a bus ride, saw motor road, vehicles, electricity, animated movies and experienced for the first time the throbbing, pulsating waywardness of modern times and way of life. This trip was designed to show these children what stuffs of dreams were made of – what to aspire for and what possibilities existed for them. And, for the really smart among them, the trip would have given them cause for rejoice – in the revelation that the life they have in their village is far more meaningful, healthy, harmonious and sustainable, than that offered by the urban centers where every new medical breakthrough has seen increased number of new and strange diseases, every new scientific invention has seen the world inching closer to annihilation, and every new smart electronic device turning human beings into less smart beings and more forgetful and disjointed.

Among those 20 young kids, there was this really talented singer and artist – named Sonam Dorji, aged 11 years. He had such a wonderful voice and more amazingly he loved singing Zhundra – classical songs. So, this year during the winter holidays we brought him back to Thimphu once again and got him to be coached in singing and drawing. He attended classes at the iBEST and M-Studio who were generous to teach him without charging him a fee. In between he took singing classes from such luminaries as Lhamo Dukpa and Namkha Lhamo, Bhutan’s most accomplished Zhungdra divas.

Sonam Dorji under the tutelage of Bhutan's foremost Zhungdra singer - Namkha Lhamo

Sonam Dorji is back to his village in Langdhurbi and continues his studies at the local community school. What the future holds for him is anybody’s guess. The talent that is latent in him is something I wish I could help him unleash but I do not have the means to do so. And I suspect I am the poorer for leading him to the stars but not being able to help him touch them.

As I prod along on the path of life that must inevitably end in nothingness, I think of this extremely talented boy languishing in abject helplessness in some remote wilderness. If he were a little bit luckier --- if I were a little bit more economically able, he could have one day serenaded the best of the best. But that is not how the story will be written – for all his talent, he is destined to be lost in the sands of oblivion – one potential shining star whose luminosity will not see the light of day.

Sonam Dorji’s trip to Thimphu this year was sponsored by Hotel Jumolhari and writer Chador Wangmo provided food and accommodation for the boy and his aunt who escorted him. Hotel Druk was generous to provide one end-of-session dinner for the boy and his tutors.

Journey of Hope and Awakening: Day IX

At about 4:00 PM yesterday, I was informed from Rindibi, Zhemgang that the 20 children and their escorts reached Rindibi safely. They have decided to spend the night there since it is 7 hours of uphill trek to Langdhurbi. The children were met by their parents at Rindibi. By now they would have reached home and narrating their experiences to their friends and families.

I am finally relieved that everything went off smoothly and without any incidence. I was on tenterhooks until the news that they have reached their area safely. Being monsoon, there was always a chance of some mishap. I had made sure that the escorts keep us updated of their movement because I know that the road of good intentions does not always lead to heaven.

They started their journey for Thimphu on the 1st of July and returned home on the 9th July - full 9 days of excitement.

There were many institutions and individual who made this happen. In the coming days, I will be thanking each of them with a list of activities the children did during their time in Thimphu.

Journey of Hope and Awakening: Day III

The school children from remote Langdhurbi started their third day in Thimphu with a visit to the official residence of Lyonpo Lekey Dorji, Minister of Economic Affairs. Lyonpo Lekey represents the Trong-Bardo constituency to which these children belong. I wasn't around during the visit but  I am sure that the children were happy to have been able to visit the Ministers' Enclave. Even more happier, I am told that they received generous amounts of pocket money and some serious pep talk. In addition, Lyonpo gave the children an inspirational letter each - individually addressed to each one of them. That was a nice touch.

A copy of Lyonpo Lekey's inspirational letter - individually addressed to each children

The children were treated to 5D movie and they had lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant at Kawajangsa.

Children having their lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant

During the lunch break, they were pleasantly surprised by the visit of their National Council Member Pema Dakpa whom some of the children recognized. The NC Member and his wife handed out a brown envelope each - containing, yet again, generous amounts of cash.

In the evening dinner for the children was hosted by Pedling Hotel.

This morning at 6.30AM I went to the DYS Youth Hostel to bid them goodbye. They go back home today. They will night halt in Gaylephu to-day and tomorrow they will arrive home.

Children all set to return home - they pose before their bus before they start the return journey

A detailed report of this service project by the Rotary Club of Thimphu will be uploaded in the coming days.

This has been a truly fulfilling project. With support from philanthropic donors and supporters, we hope to make this an annual event.

Journey of Hope and Awakening: Day II

On the second day of their trip to Thimphu, the children of Langdhuri had even better day then their first one. They were treated to lunch at the plush Namseling Boutique Hotel, personally attended to by the well-known owner: Aum Lily Wangchuk.

The Children pose with Aum Lily Wangchuk who treated them to lunch at her Namseling Boutique Hotel

Two generous donors donated a set of Gho and Kira/Toego each to the children while some gifted them shoes and socks and writing stationery.

In the afternoon, they saw a movie at the City Mall and met the movie’s cast for autographs. The Pied Piper Chador Wangmo then took them to animation studios for a treat of animated movies, which they loved.

Their evening tea at the Simply Bhutan - a distinctive ethnic eatery at the YDF - was perhaps the best experience. Here they got to meet their most favorite movie stars: Lhaki Dolma, Sonam Choki, Sonam Tenzin and Tandin Bida. The actors posed for photographs with the children; they danced with them and Lhaki Dolma sang for them. After the group photo, the actors were swamped for their autographs.

The children sang three songs for the movie stars - of which one was a pure ethnic khengpa song.

For children who have not seen vehicle roads, I was amazed to learn that they knew every one of the actors!

 Children being treated to evening tea at the chick Simply Bhutan

Group photo with their favorite movie actors

Movie star Lhaki Dolma signing autographs for the children

 The very pretty Sonam Choki signing autographs for her fans from remote Langdhurbi

 Sonam Choki being crowded by her fans for her autograph

 Movie star Sonam Tenzin signing autographs for the children

 

 Very popular movie star Tandin Bida signs autographs for the children who are her adoring fans

After tea we moved to Hotel Druk where the children were treated to a sumptuous dinner - compliments of the Hotel. The actors sat chatting with the children through out the dinner.

Actress Lhaki Dolma chatting up the kids during dinner time at The Druk

Star Sonam Tenzin at The Druk Hotel with children during dinner time

Movie star Tandin Bida with the children at The Druk, waiting for dinner

For the children it was a dream experience - for me it is my hope that this exposure would have inspired one or two of them to work hard and study hard to achieve what many they have seen have achieved in their lives.