The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Rural Education Foundation (REF), officially launched last Thursday in Thimphu would immensely benefit the education ministry.
During the inauguration of the REF, the Foundation launched the “Thriving CSOs in Bhutan” magazine. The magazine was meant to benefit both national and global readers and civil society organizations.
It aims to inform people about the roles and responsibility of Public Benefit Organizations (PBOs).
“Initially the Foundation planned to include all the 23 CSOs but due to some inconveniences they couldn’t include all the CSOs,” said the Officiating Executive Director Karwang Yohzen.
Unlike other PBOs, REF supports to make the child’s life bright by providing them with basic necessities and free education facilities provided by Government.
The organization helps to enhance the lives of less privileged children, vulnerable youths and communities, especially in eastern region. The Foundation’s primary objective is to support children of poor and destitute background to continue with their education.
The organization had already started with their moral deed in 2010, in Trashiyangtse. And it was done by an individual Karwang Yohzen, founder and currently working as officiating Executive Director of REF.
Informally, he rendered support to 10 children from Tshaling Community Primary school (CPS) and their parents who were struggling through life, to sustain daily life. At the time he was working as a contract teacher.
Education Minister Thakur S. Powdyel during the launch said that he is heartened to see the evolution of this very foundation. A former teacher and a very committed Humanist Karwang Yohzen had done the right thing to advance the cause of education in the country.
“I would like to thank and offer my very deep appreciation and gratitude for initiating this very important foundation. This foundation would help Education ministry, People and also the country,” he added.
Lyonpo said that education is a twice-blessed gift. “It is twice, because education blessed those people who give it and there is also blessing to those who receives it,” he said. “The Foundation is a great help to Ministry of education and to anybody who is working with education.”
Earlier, REF had recognized 25 poor children to provide them with services and enable them to continue their studies but the Officiating Executive Director said the number has increased to 150.
With the help of CSO fund facility, UNDP, DGPC and some international donors, within 8 months the foundation was able to collect Nu 3mn.
