bhutan foundation annual report 2010

Your choice to stay connected to Bhutan through the Bhutan Foundation in 2009-2010

bhutan foundation annual report 2009-2010

Staying Connected to Bhutan

Our Mission

[Gross National Happiness] is the bridge between the fundamental values of Kindness, Equality and Humanity and the necessary pursuit of economic growth. GNH acts as our National Conscience guiding us towards making wise decisions for a better future. It ensures that no matter what our nation may seek to achieve, the human dimension, the individual’s place in the nation, is never forgotten. It is a constant reminder that we must strive for a caring leadership so that as the world and country changes, as our nation’s goals change, our foremost priority will always remain the happiness and well-being of our people – including the generations to come after us.

His Majesty travels regularly to far-flung and inaccessible parts of the country, visiting people’s homes and awarding kidu (grants) to hundreds of people in need.

Staying Connected to

the growing international interest in using

Co-Chair

training

Our Mission: 2009-2010

Contents

Conservation of the EnvironmentEquitable and Sustainable DevelopmentGood GovernancePreservation of CultureEvents To Increase Knowledge of Bhutan in the United States

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Equitable and Sustainable Development

Conservation of the Environment

Our Areas of SupportGood Governance

Preservation of Culture

Events To Increase Knowledge of Bhutan

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Illuminating rural households with clean energy . . .

Barefoot Engineers--village women who have been trained in fitting and maintaining solar lighting--set up solar panels for 55 households in Athang Gewog (subdistrict) in Wangdi Phodrang.


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Monitoring Bhutan’s diverse wildlife . . . Tgiving us hands-on training . . . We look forward to having this type of training in the future.

Yeshey Wangdi, Park Ranger, Royal Manas National Park

It is through this kind of training and capacity building of people on the ground that we will be able conservation in Bhutan.

Tshering Tempa, Wildlife Biologist, UWICE

Understanding the effects of climate change . . .

Opposite page, counter-clockwise from top right: Dr. D.B. Gurung of the College of Natural Resources participates in aquatic biodiversity assessment during the wildlife monitoring techniques workshop. Elephants roam in the Royal Manas National Park, which covers about 1000 sq km and is considered the most important among the protected areas in Bhutan. Field staff collect fecal samples during a snow leopard survey in northern Bhutan.

This page, top: Norbu Wangdi of UWICE and Kevin McManigal from the University of Montana make a visual assessment of Rapshtreng Tsho (lake) and inspect its outlet while taking GPS points of the glacier tongue.

Bottom: The majestic Gangchen Singye peak overlooks the valley of Thanza above the Thorthormi, Rapshtreng, and the Bey Tsho (lake). As the Himalayan snowfields decrease in area and mass, our water sources are affected. We do not fully understand the extent to which this would affect biodiversity.

With [the Bhutan Foundation’s] support, a team from the Bhutan Foundation, UWICE, and the University of Montana visited the Lunana Valley and investigated the feasibility for establishing a program at UWICE to develop a long-term glacier monitoring . . . We also learned that the local people were aware of the changing

about the activity of the glaciers in the Himalayan region.

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Rebuilding homes after the earthquake . . .

Top left: This house in Drametse was one of several with major damage.

Top right: Remains of the Basic Health Unit in Yangner, Trashigang, are shown.

Middle: Soldiers from the Royal Bhutan Army and students of the Vocational Training Institute work to clear the debris and help rebuild homes.

Bottom: The Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, presents a contribution from the Bhutan Foundation to His Majesty’s Welfare Fund for the earthquake victims.


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Improving Bhutan’s emergency medical services . . . This department did not receive enough attention in the past and was operated with minimum personnel, most not very skilled in the management of emergencies. [It has become] much better with the aid of the HVO physicians. We have the infrastructure set up, but we now need more exposure in management and skills. We have resources here, but they are not matched by human skills. HVO has been narrowing the knowledge gap.

Dr. Ugen Tshering, Bhutanese General Doctor currently studying Emergency Medicine at the University of Malaysia, funded by the Bhutan Foundation

I think the HVO Emergency Medicine program is a fantastic opportunity to fascinating country with just amazing people . . . and maybe in some way the US physicians can help the Gross National Happiness mission of Bhutan and that we can bring back some GNH to the United States as well.

Dr. Barry Finette, HVO volunteer physician, University of Vermont

I could have panicked because I saw blood rolling down her head as she wailed in pain. But that didn’t distract me. I remembered during the workshop, it was stressed

were really focused and knew what to do. [My colleague] immediately looked for a cloth, and I searched for a board that we could use to support her arm. As my colleague splinted her arm, I explained to her what we were doing and talked to her, keeping in mind what [we had learned].

The HVO program has been an eye-opener for the enhancement of emergency medical services. The program has been instrumental in training and building up the capacity of the emergency department staff and bringing expertise and evidence-based knowledge to the point where we can provide to the patients. The physicians are available whenever we need the help, even at off-times, and are personally very good human beings.

emergency department for our hospital here as well as for the country as a whole. We are thankful that the Bhutan Foundation has initiated this and that this has become sort of a catalyst, because it tries to rekindle the need for and importance of the emergency department.

We hope to continue the HVO physician posting here, as it would have a greater impact than sending the Bhutanese people outside the country for short trainings.

Dr. Tashi Tenzin, Neuro-Surgeon, Head of the Emergency Department, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital

Above: Bhutanese doctors and nurses attend a weekly HVO lecture at the Continuing Medical Education room in the Emergency Department, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu.

Left: Dr. Tashi Tenzin (far right), Head of the Emergency Department, leads a discussion on emergency medicine with HVO volunteers and other physicians.

Bhutanese doctors Dr. Gosar Pemba and Dr. Kinzang Dorji and nurse Namgay Dem receive training in advanced emergency care at Phelps Memorial Hospital in New York. Phelps Memorial Hospital offered to train another group of doctors and nurses following the successful training in 2009. The second group will receive similar training in September 2010.

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Teaching children with special needs . . . Being referred to Changangkha Lower Secondary School was a silver lining for class teacher to get used to his temper tantrums, his strange repetitive behavior,

sense promising changes in him. Maybe a time will come when he will thank the principal, special education members, teachers, his tablemates, bench mates, and his assistant co-helpers for developing his social skills. As a parent, I am grateful to each and every one who has contributed in their own ways in making my son’s life a lot easier than what I had feared. Thank you all.

Pema Choden, Parent

The Stakeholders’ Round Table Workshop on Special Education was held on July 27-29, 2010, in Thimphu.

I gained invaluable knowledge working as an intern at the Ridge Street Elementary and Blind Brook High School. I learned many new things from teachers at both schools. It was a struggle but worth every moment. I went to New York with a very vague idea of special education but have now returned with so much that I’m very eager to share with all my colleagues here in Bhutan.

While in New York, I thought a lot about all my students with special needs in Bhutan and wished that they, too, were able to receive the same kind of help and attention as the children with special needs in the United States. I’m very

do my best in the interest of all the children with special needs in Bhutan. My dream was not to travel to the other side of the world, but to learn and be able to do something for all children with special needs in Bhutan and to support the teachers who work with them.

This trip to the United States has been very rewarding for me. I always had the passion, and now I have new skills and knowledge to support my teaching. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone for their support. I would like to dedicate the rest of my teaching career to special education for the

Chimi Lhamo, Teacher, Changangkha Lower Secondary School, Thimphu

It was a great opportunity and a wonderful learning experience for me to go to the United States and learn about special education. I think children with special needs should be given a lot of support to help them develop and enable them to be at par with other children. Besides reading and writing, I think teaching life skills to children with special needs is crucial. The courses at the College of New Rochelle and the internship at the Ridge Street Elementary and Blind Brook High School, where there is a Board of Co-operational Educational Services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing program, provided me with experiences that would be very useful in helping children with special educational needs.

Essentials of special education, from setting up an effective learning environment to differentiating instructions and managing children according to their interests, strengths, and behavior, were what I learned from my time in New York. I believe it is essential for special education teachers to be knowledgeable about the traits of disabilities in order to enable them to adapt instructional methods to accommodate the special educational needs of children.

I am looking forward to returning to Bhutan to share my experiences, knowledge, and skills with teachers in my school and to implement what I have learned in the classroom.

Chimi Zangmo, Teacher at the Deaf Unit, Drugyel Lower Secondary School, Paro

Thank you for all your support, and I am sure that you will be happy to know that special education is coming to the foreground mainly due to the impetus from our project.

Yandey Penjor, Executive Director, Bhutan Youth Development Fund

Teachers Chimi Lhamo and Chimi Zangmo are shown with children from PS 11 in Queens, New York. The two teachers went to New York to be trained in teaching children with special needs.

From left to right: Chimi Zangmo, Kim McCormack, and Chimi Lhamo attend a summer workshop on education in Bumthang. Chimi Zangmo and Chimi Lhamo shared their expereinces and what they learned at the College of New Rochelle, New York, where they took courses on special education.

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Turning business ideas into reality . . . Tlending start-up funding for the business, the program teaches important business lessons to aspiring entrepreneurs. The assistance I received made my crazy idea written on paper into a reality, for which I am still grateful. In the

Sonam Dorji, Recipient of Loden Entrepreneurship Program fund to start his business, Water Tank Disinfecting Service

Above: Sonam Dorji, a recipient of the LEP fund, and his team clean a water tank for his successful water tank cleaning service.

Top right: Nidup Zangmo used her LEP fund to start a handloom center in Lhuntse.

Bottom right: Tshewang Lhamo established a health spa to cater to the Changjiji neighborhood in Thimphu.

Advocating social responsibility among youth . . . We are trying to make people realize how important it is to properly dispose of our

own garbage. What has inspired me is the effort that VAST is putting in to educate our community. I feel it’s a way of educating the educated community.

Jigme Choden, member of VAST

Art displays created entirely out of recycled parts were featured at the Thimphu Clock Tower during the Young Zoom on Garbage art festival held by the Voluntary Artists’ Studio, Thimphu (VAST).

All VAST projects are inspired and designed according to the issues that are either directly or indirectly related to young people. We tend to deal with all these issues using art as the tool. The Young Zoom on Garbage project is also an important exercise for all our young members to connect the alarming issue of waste management to their artistic skill and creatively showcase what they have experienced and, ultimately, use it to re-educate the public. As an active volunteer, I had enough of cleaning drains, streets, trails, and seeing people using disposable rubber gloves, which is more harmful than the

the river, and all of us talk about the environment, pollution, saving the earth, and so on,

outcome of the project, is to bring in the desire to change and rethink. It is an attempt to educate [the public] through the work of our young artists.

Kama Wangdi [Asha Kama], Founder, VAST

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Good Governance

Supporting media and democracy in Bhutan . . . Good Governance

After graduating college, most students land at a crossroad;; thankfully, I was not one of them. I have always wanted to learn new things in life, and when the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy advertised for a scholarship with a job opportunity to study journalism, I knew it would be worth a try. I would like to thank the Center for giving me this opportunity.

The journalism course here at the International Media Institute is very different

the course includes classes in editing in Final Cut Pro, blogging, news writing, and web journalism, to name a few. Our classes are very practical and interactive, which prepares us for the real situation. Every day is a learning experience. With guests coming from different media backgrounds to give us lectures, we get a chance to question them and clear our doubts.

After my course, I will be working for the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy, where I can hopefully implement what I have learned. I would like to thank the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy and the Bhutan Foundation for funding the scholarship and encouraging us by giving us a chance to learn.

Jigme Choden, Journalism Student, International Media Institute of India

I was really excited when I found out that the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy (BCMD) was providing scholarships in journalism for 11 months in Noida at the International Media Institute of India (IMII). Since I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in visual communications, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to broaden my knowledge and experience with media, so I instantly took advantage of this opportunity. I am really glad I took the opportunity and got the scholarship.

It’s been a month since I joined IMII, and I have learned lots of things, such as

institute, and we have had many interesting question-and-answer sessions. During our upcoming vacation, we have been asked to seek internships from which we will be getting lots more experience.

BCMD;; after all, I am really grateful that the BCMD has provided us with this opportunity.

Tshewang Lhamo, Journalism Student, International Media Institute of India

Students, who are also aspiring journalists, learn the basics of filming and journalism in a workshop conducted by the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy in January 2010.

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Good Governance

Building capacity of Bhutanese nonprofits . . . The workshop I attended on project proposal writing was responsibilities. I am more focused on my proposal writing and I am very clear on which components should go where in a proposal [ . . . ] I have written three proposals since and have already secured a commitment and support from an organization for one of them. Such workshops, aimed at skill enhancements,

in the future.

Top left: A member of parliament is interviewed by participants of the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy’s film camp using Flip Video cameras.

Above: Lina Hogg of Picasso HR from the United Kingdom conducts the Leadership, Development, and Management workshop in Thimphu.

It was a great opportunity for me to be able to participate in the workshop, as I learned many new ideas and skills related to management. During the Management and Leadership workshop, we were trained not only on

important for us to know how to manage our time. Besides management skills, I had an opportunity to learn skills

your organization.

To sustain our organization, it is crucial to raise funds, and in order to raise funds from both within and outside Bhutan, it is very important to know how to write good and convincing proposals. Due to the lower chance of getting funding opportunities from within the country, it is important for us to develop remarkably strong proposals that could compete with other international organizations. Proposal writing was one of the most challenging tasks for me, but the training/workshop on Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship offered by the Bhutan Foundation has helped me a lot in better understanding different components of a proposal.

There is no doubt that both the workshops have contributed immensely to me and to my work with the Loden

possible such training programs available at our doorstep without having to spend the time, energy, and money to go to other countries, and we expect the Bhutan Foundation to continue doing the same in the future.

Dorji Tashi, Country Coordinator, The Loden Foundation

Top left and above: Program officers from various nonprofit organizations attend the Proposal Writing Workshop in March 2010.

Left: Lina Hogg (back row, fourth from left), an HR consultant, is shown with participants of the Leadership, Development, and Management workshop in July 2009.

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Supporting the well-being of nuns . . . Before [the Bhutan Nuns’ Foundation], there was never such an opportunity given to the nuns to come together and learn about each other as well as to receive trainings [such as the First Responders’ training].

Ani Choden, Nun from Dhorangtha, Lobesa, Punakha

Left: Dr. Tashi Zangmo (front row, center), Executive Director of Bhutan Nuns’ Foundation, with nuns from 18 nunneries around Bhutan attend First Responders’ workshop in October 2009 in Thimphu.

Below: Ani Kunzang Choden (right) of Samten Choling Nunnery in Wamrong and Ani Drubchu (left) from Chothpo Goenpa (nunnery) in Wongchilo are head nuns at their nunneries.


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People need more than just food and a place to sleep. They need culture.Stephen J. Kelley, Consultant Architect for World Monuments Fund

Restoring important cultural heritage sites . . .

Desi

In Bhutan, the monuments are living heritage monuments, where people still live inside the monuments. The World Monuments Fund believes that the best way to preserve heritage is through public-private partnerships. And what is interesting about Bhutan is that since the heritage is shared, the responsibility to preserve it is divided between the government, nongovernment organizations, local community, and individuals. The Bhutan Foundation could play a critical role in partnering with the government, involving individuals, and being the voice for preserving tangible and intangible Bhutanese culture.

Mark Weber, Technical Director, World Monuments Fund

Shingkhar Garkhai Lhakhang (monastery) in Bumthang is shown here before its restoration. The monastery, built in the early 1930s, is being restored with support from the William Hinman Foundation.

Tto the community. Every year, we hold special rituals and festivals here. During the winter months, we have all had to sit out in the snow because there is

from all over Bhutan.

for us, it was founded by our ancestors. It has a big role in our community. The majority of our boys received their Buddhist education at the monastery. For a long time, it was the only place to send the boys. Now we have a small community school here, but there are still boys who study at the monastery.

Rinchen Lhamo, Tshogpa (Village Head), Shingkhar, Bumthang

(Left) Trashigang Dzong (fortress) in Trashigang and (right) Drametse Lhakhang (monastery) in Mongar suffered severe damage from the September 2009 earthquake. The Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development in the Netherlands has committed funds to restore these two important sites in Eastern Bhutan.

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Events to Increase Knowledge of Bhutan

Events To Increase Knowledge of Bhutan in the United States

2009

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CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT50,000 to 99,999University of MontanaFor research grant

20,000 to 49,999Humane Society InternationalFor the national dog population management and rabies control program

Jangsa Animal Savings TrustFor building of animal shelter

Tarayana FoundationFor the Athang Barefoot Engineers solar lighting project

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment For training and research

10,000 to 19,999Bhutan Ecological SocietyFor the launch of the Bhutan Ecological Society

Royal Society for Protection of NatureFor general support and research on white-bellied heron

WWF-Bhutan For general support

5,000 to 9,999International Network for BambooFor the Ministry of Agriculture membership

Mahseer ProjectFor preliminary study on Mahseer fish conservation

Royal Society for the Protection and Care of AnimalsFor animal mobile clinic

1,000 to 4,999Karma TenzingFor butterfly project, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

Manju WahkleyFor study on relationship between humans and carnivores

Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and EnvironmentFor Bhutan wild cat conservation meeting

WWF-BhutanFor a special project for a disadvantaged family

EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT100,000+Ministry of HealthFor emergency medical services program

50,000 to 99,999Bhutan Youth Development FundFor children with special needs program

The Loden FoundationFor the Loden Entrepreneurship Program

20,000 to 49,999College of New RochelleFor two scholarships for teachers specializing in special education

His Majesty’s Welfare FundFor earthquake relief

Tarayana Foundation For general support

5,000 to 9,999Kuengaa High SchoolFor scholarships

Lemle PicturesFor Bhutan Youth Development Fund promotional video

Voluntary Artists’ Studio, ThimphuFor Young Zoom on Garbage Program

Yale UniversityFor Rodney Wagner Scholarship Fund

1,000 to 4,999Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators For educating guides on Gross National Happiness

Bike for LifeFor Bike for Life event to promote cancer awareness

Drugyel Lower Secondary School, Deaf Unit, ParoFor special education

GPI AtlanticFor Gross National Happiness and education conference

RENEWFor general support

Sherubtse CollegeFor Social Service Unit

Voluntary Artists’ Studio, Thimphu For general support

Below 1,000Health Trust FundFor general support

Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Communications For exploring information technology program with International Institute of Information Techology, India

GOOD GOVERNANCE10,000 to 19,999University of Oregon For capacity-building scholarship for Bhutan Youth Development Fund employee

1,000 to 4,999Bhutan Center for Media and DemocracyFor general support and Journalism Scholarship

Below 1,000Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and IndustriesFor seminar on Information Communication Technology

PRESERVATION OF CULTURE50,000 to 99,999Bhutan Nuns’ FoundationFor general support

20,000 to 49,999Ministry of Home and CultureFor restoration of Drametse Lhakhang and Trashigang Dzong

10,000 to 19,999Shingkhar Lhakhang For restoration of the temple

Tamshing LhakhangFor general support

5,000 to 9,999Sewala Buddhist SchoolFor water supply

1,000 to 4,999Paro Community ProjectFor restoration of community temple

Sonam DorjiFor establishment of Music of Bhutan Research Center

Below 1,000Friends of the Royal Textile AcademyFor Royal Textile Academy

Pema Choling NunneryFor general support

Zorig Chusum InstituteFor general support for Trashi Yangtse Zorig Chusum Institute

Bhutan Foundation Grants January 2009 – June 2010

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Funding and Financial Overview

Funding and Financial Overview

SUPPORT & REVENUE

Total Support and Revenue

PROGRAM EXPENSES

Total Program Expenses

SUPPORTING SERVICES

Fundraising

Total Supporting Services

676,261

468,574

97,268

1,308,810

1,027,071

200,363

January 2009 to June 2009 July 2009 to June 2010

Expenditure on Programs and Supporting Services as a Percent of Total Expenses Contributions by Types of Donors as a Percent of Total Revenue

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Partners and Associates

Stay Connected to the Work of Our Partners and Associates . . . Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy

Bhutan Nuns’ Foundation

Bhutan Youth Development Fund

Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs

The Loden Foundation

. . . by Supporting Them Through the Bhutan Foundation

Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan

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Partners and Associates

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature

RENEW

The Royal Society for the Protection and Care of AnimalsWorld Wildlife Fund-Bhutan

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment

Tarayana Foundation

Voluntary Artists’ Studio, Thimphu

Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan

Ministry of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan

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Ways To Stay Connected

Mailing a Check

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Board of Directors Honorary Patron

The Royal Grandmother of Bhutan

Co-Chair Persons

The Queen Mother of Bhutan

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Director Emeritus

Board Members

Thimphu, Bhutan Office

Program Director

Committees

Resources

Marketing

Special Education EnvironmentHealth

Web and IT Management

Bhutan Foundation TeamWashington, DC Office

Program Director

Program Associate

Interns

(Washington, DC)

(Thimphu, Bhutan and Washington, DC)

(Thimphu, Bhutan)

Staff

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Editorial Production Design

Printing

Contributors

Photography Credits

Bhutan Foundation

© 2010 Bhutan Foundation

CREDITS

Contact UsWashington, DC Thimphu, Bhutan

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bhutan foundation annual report 2010

Documents

northern bhutan

bhutan foundations support

national conscience

royal manas national

wildlife biologist

yeshey wangdi

wangdi phodrang

norbu wangdi of uwice