In the beginning of academic year 2019, a teacher from Chongzhu Pri School (CPS) initiated a plan to organise an educational tour for some students from the school to visit the capital city, Thimphu in Bhutan. @chongzhups
CPS is a remote school located in south-western Bhutan within the Samtse Dzongkhag. Out of a total 133 students, a group of 19 students from class IV to VI were selected for this tour. Key selection criteria are their academic results, active volunteerism as well as family background. These students have never stepped out of their village to other places in their own country and so the objective of this tour is to provide them an opportunity to travel out of their district to visit their capital city.
The tour is organised under the banner of Circle of Ripples (COR). Led by a young, passionate teacher Mr Yeshi Dendup, this COR is a youth volunteer group formed by a group of young volunteer teachers and active scout leaders with the vision to provide support to the less privileged in rural Bhutan. @cor4us
The search for sponsorship was brought to our attention through a mutual friend Ms Pema Yangz, a vegan activist from The Green Monster Vegan Club in Bhutan @imagreenmonster and we gladly take on the full sponsorship given that it is also our views that education is not just confining to the four walls of the classrooms and this will be a good opportunity to expose the students to various job opportunities that awaits them and by so, encouraging them to pursue excellence in their studies and eventually, economic betterment of their families in the rural areas.
Mr Yeshi Dendup, supported by 3 Rover Scouts from Samtse College of Education, finally set off on 30th June 2019 with the 19 selected students towards Thimphu. Our co-founders Mr Chris Tan and Mr Namgay Tshering were there to welcome the team when they arrived in Thimphu after 2 days of road journey from their school. The students were housed at the Youth hostel from Department of Youth and Sports during they stay in Thimphu.
During their time in Thimphu, the students were thrilled to visit some of the important sites that they have only heard of but never had the chance to see in person. These sites include Kuenselphodrang, Changangkha Lhakhang, Memorial Chorten, Tashichhoe Dzong, Zangdopelri and Dechenphug Lhakhang to name a few.
Mr Nedup Tshering from Clean Bhutan @cleanbhutan a NGO that advocates behavioural change on sustainable consumption lifestyle met up with the students and shared the importance of keeping their country clean by recycling waste into useable products. Mr Nedup Tshering also generously treated the student a sumptuous lunch and a tour at the Simply Bhutan museum that showcased the various rich culture and traditions preserved.
The students were also honoured to meet the Honorable Speaker of Parliament H.E. Wangchuk Namgyel and some other Members of Parliament including Hon. Dil Maya Rai of Tashicholing constituency who coordinated the visit to the National Assembly.
The Minister, Her Excellency Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo from Ministry of Health and The Secretary of Education Ministry, Dasho Karma Yeshey, also took time out to meet and host the students during their visits to the respective offices.
These students, for the first time in their life, learnt to use zebra crossing while crossing roads, dining and enjoying their meals and desserts in air-conditioned cafes/hotels and the thrilling experience of getting into a passenger lift in hotels.
We are grateful to the management team from Norkhil Boutique and Spa @norkhilhotel, Le Meridien Paro @lemeridienparo for hosting and providing snacks and lunches for the students and Rema Resort @remaresort for sponsoring a night stay for all the students in their beautiful resort when they visited Paro.
Contact us at info@madbhutan.com to find out more about what you can do to help!