Laptsakha Community School

Druk Asia identifies community schools which we can help to improve their quality of education. We usually focus our effort on projects which can provide the most immediate benefits in consultation with school management. Laptsakha Community School is a small community school for the Laptsakha village at Talo in Punakha. The school has 143 pupils studying in 7 different classes from Kindergarten to Primary 6. These are some of the projects we have done for them.

a) New Green Boards for all classrooms To have conducive classroom environment, effective teaching and learning. The previous boards were old and outdated. Made from ply board, students could not read writing clearly due to sun reflection and difficulty in keeping it black. It also produces lots of dust in the classroom since the board is rough.

b) Water Filter. The school doesn't have a proper water source, especially during peak summer season students drink water from the tap despite repeated reminders to use boiled water. The government doesn't have separately allocated budget to procure sanitation materials.

c) Syntax Water Storage tanks (2000 litres). Due to small existing water source for the school, the school does not have enough water during important celebrations and gatherings. The Bigger water tank is also needed to tie over time when water gets muddy especially during monsoon season.

The Gyalyum Charitable Trust

The Gyalyum Charitable Trust, under the visionary leadership of Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck (Queen Mother) aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of organizations that enjoy Her Majesty’s Royal Patronage.

She has been at the forefront of raising awareness on social issues for more than 20 years and takes personal interest in the welfare of women, youth and children, and the disadvantaged and marginalized of society whom she has interacted with extensively while touring the nation as the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador.

The initiatives under the Trust include:

• RENEW - Committed to the empowerment of vulnerable women in Bhutan, particularly survivors and victims of domestic violence. RENEW focuses on advocacy, outreach, counselling, education, and rehabilitation.
• Gyalyum Scholarship Programme - Aimed at helping children from disadvantaged families continue their education
• The Craft Gallery – This project is still under development but when completed, it will be a dedicated outlet for the sales, marketing and development of Bhutanese handicrafts
• Royal Textile Academy - An education centre for training individuals in the traditional art of weaving, thereby preserving their rich textile heritage
• Gyalyum Dharma Initiative - Devoted to the maintenance, upkeep, restoration of monasteries and support for monks and nuns

Image credit RENEW via Facebook Page