bhutan foundation annual report Your choice to stay connected to Bhutan through the Bhutan Foundation in

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2 bhutan foundation annual report Your choice to stay connected to Bhutan through the Bhutan Foundation in

3 Staying Connected to Bhutan

4 Our Mission 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. [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.

5 Staying Connected to Our Mission: the growing international interest in using Co-Chair training

6 Contents Conservation of the Environment Equitable and Sustainable Development Good Governance Preservation of Culture Events To Increase Knowledge of Bhutan in the United States

7 Our Areas of Support Conservation of the Environment Good Governance Equitable and Sustainable Development Preservation of Culture Events To Increase Knowledge of Bhutan 11

8 Conservation of the Environment 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. 13 Conservation of the Environment

9 Monitoring Bhutan s diverse wildlife... 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 T giving us hands-on training... We look forward to having this type of training in the future. Yeshey Wangdi, Park Ranger, Royal Manas National Park Understanding the effects of climate change... 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. 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 Conservation of the Environment

10 Equitable and Sustainable Development 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. 17 Equitable and Sustainable Development

11 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 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 evidencebased 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 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]. 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 The second group will receive similar training in September think the HVO Emergency Medicine program is a fantastic opportunity to I 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 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 Equitable and Sustainable Development

12 Teaching children with special needs... 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 The Stakeholders Round Table Workshop on Special Education was held on July 27-29, 2010, in Thimphu. 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 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. gained invaluable knowledge working as an intern at the Ridge Street I 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 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 Equitable and Sustainable Development

13 Turning business ideas into reality... T lending 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 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 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. 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 Equitable and Sustainable Development

14 Good Governance Supporting media and democracy in Bhutan... was really excited when I found out that the Bhutan Center for Media and I 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. 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. 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 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 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 Good Governance

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

16 Preservation of Culture 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. 29 Preservation of Culture

17 Restoring important cultural heritage sites... People need more than just food and a place to sleep. They need culture. Stephen J. Kelley, Consultant Architect for World Monuments Fund 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 (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. Desi T to 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 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 Preservation of Culture

18 Events To Increase Knowledge of Bhutan in the United States Events to Increase Knowledge of Bhutan

19 Bhutan Foundation Grants January 2009 June 2010 CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 50,000 to 99,999 University of Montana For research grant 20,000 to 49,999 Humane Society International For the national dog population management and rabies control program Jangsa Animal Savings Trust For building of animal shelter Tarayana Foundation For the Athang Barefoot Engineers solar lighting project Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment For training and research 10,000 to 19,999 Bhutan Ecological Society For the launch of the Bhutan Ecological Society Royal Society for Protection of Nature For general support and research on white-bellied heron WWF-Bhutan For general support 5,000 to 9,999 International Network for Bamboo For the Ministry of Agriculture membership Mahseer Project For preliminary study on Mahseer fish conservation Royal Society for the Protection and Care of Animals For animal mobile clinic 1,000 to 4,999 Karma Tenzing For butterfly project, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary Manju Wahkley For study on relationship between humans and carnivores Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment For Bhutan wild cat conservation meeting WWF-Bhutan For a special project for a disadvantaged family EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 100,000+ Ministry of Health For emergency medical services program 50,000 to 99,999 Bhutan Youth Development Fund For children with special needs program The Loden Foundation For the Loden Entrepreneurship Program 20,000 to 49,999 College of New Rochelle For two scholarships for teachers specializing in special education His Majesty s Welfare Fund For earthquake relief Tarayana Foundation For general support 5,000 to 9,999 Kuengaa High School For scholarships Lemle Pictures For Bhutan Youth Development Fund promotional video Voluntary Artists Studio, Thimphu For Young Zoom on Garbage Program Yale University For Rodney Wagner Scholarship Fund 1,000 to 4,999 Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators For educating guides on Gross National Happiness Bike for Life For Bike for Life event to promote cancer awareness Drugyel Lower Secondary School, Deaf Unit, Paro For special education GPI Atlantic For Gross National Happiness and education conference RENEW For general support Sherubtse College For Social Service Unit Voluntary Artists Studio, Thimphu For general support Below 1,000 Health Trust Fund For general support Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Communications For exploring information technology program with International Institute of Information Techology, India GOOD GOVERNANCE 10,000 to 19,999 University of Oregon For capacity-building scholarship for Bhutan Youth Development Fund employee 1,000 to 4,999 Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy For general support and Journalism Scholarship Below 1,000 Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries For seminar on Information Communication Technology PRESERVATION OF CULTURE 50,000 to 99,999 Bhutan Nuns Foundation For general support 20,000 to 49,999 Ministry of Home and Culture For restoration of Drametse Lhakhang and Trashigang Dzong 10,000 to 19,999 Shingkhar Lhakhang For restoration of the temple Tamshing Lhakhang For general support 5,000 to 9,999 Sewala Buddhist School For water supply 1,000 to 4,999 Paro Community Project For restoration of community temple Sonam Dorji For establishment of Music of Bhutan Research Center Below 1,000 Friends of the Royal Textile Academy For Royal Textile Academy Pema Choling Nunnery For general support Zorig Chusum Institute For general support for Trashi Yangtse Zorig Chusum Institute 34 35

20 Funding and Financial Overview January 2009 to June 2009 July 2009 to June 2010 SUPPORT & REVENUE Total Support and Revenue PROGRAM EXPENSES 676,261 1,308,810 Expenditure on Programs and Supporting Services as a Percent of Total Expenses Contributions by Types of Donors as a Percent of Total Revenue Total Program Expenses 468,574 1,027,071 SUPPORTING SERVICES Fundraising Total Supporting Services 97, , Funding and Financial Overview

21 Stay Connected to the Work of Our Partners and Associates by Supporting Them Through the Bhutan Foundation 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 Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan Partners and Associates

22 Ministry of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan RENEW The Royal Society for the Protection and Care of Animals 40 The Royal Society for Protection of Nature Tarayana Foundation Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Voluntary Artists Studio, Thimphu World Wildlife Fund-Bhutan 41 Partners and Associates

23 Ways To Stay Connected Mailing a Check 43

24 Board of Directors Bhutan Foundation Team Honorary Patron The Royal Grandmother of Bhutan Board Members Staff Thimphu, Bhutan Office Washington, DC Office Committees Special Education Health Environment Co-Chair Persons The Queen Mother of Bhutan Program Director Program Director Program Associate President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director Emeritus Interns (Washington, DC) Resources Marketing Web and IT Management (Thimphu, Bhutan and Washington, DC) (Thimphu, Bhutan) 44 45

25 Contact Us Washington, DC Bhutan Foundation Suite 525 Thimphu, Bhutan Bhutan Foundation CREDITS Contributors Editorial Production Design Photography Credits Bhutan Foundation Printing Bhutan Foundation

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