Bhutan

Building a Better Future

The joint UNDP-Tarayana project resulted in better housing with proper sanitation facilities for 40 families. Before the project, these families lived in poorly maintained huts. In addition, over 50 villagers are now trained in basic carpentry, masonry, construction and livestock related skills.

UNDP works with the Tarayana Foundation - an NGO working to uplift and enhance the lives of the vulnerable communities in rural Bhutan - to establish projects which respond to the needs and the demands of the rural poor.

In 2008, through the joint UNDP-Tarayana collaboration, 52 men and women participated in training on basic masonry, carpentry, construction, organic farming and agricultural, environmental and livestock related skills under the project.  Now these villagers are able to contribute to socio-economic development of their community. The project beneficiaries were poor households of five remote communities of Lawa, Lamgang, Migtana, Kazhi Chego and Samthang in Athang Gewog, Wangdue.

Construction of new and better houses for the villagers was also a part of the project. The training on basic carpentry and masonry skills continued on a daily basis while the construction of the houses took place.

When the community, including women, saw that they were going to move to better houses, they volunteered to participate in groups to make the project successful. They were enthusiastic in learning new construction skills as the benefit was not only building their own house with the support of other community members but they could also later use the skill to earn their living during off cultivation seasons. A sustainable approach was taken in providing community support. In constructing the houses, locally available raw materials were used to the extent possible and community themselves contributed free labour for the construction.

As such, 12 village committees/self-help groups have been formed and the members are responsible for the execution of the activities in which they have been trained.

"We no longer have to worry about not having enough food, clothes to wear and houses to stay in thanks to this project and Tarayana."

Penjor a local resident from Mitgana.

 "I used to look at a house that had been built in Rukha and pray every day that the same benefit come to our village. Now this has become a reality."

Bakhu, resident of Lamgang