The Tarayana Foundation ‘In the course of her visits across the country, Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck has observed and interacted with people from remote and far-flung villages and communities. These interactions and observations have led her to establish the Tarayana Foundation to help disadvantaged people gain more economic independence through small and targeted assistance. One of the stark realities of those visits was the fact that there were many families who could not send their children to school because they could not afford school uniforms and other associated expenses.’
Tarayana Foundation pamphlet (2006)
About Tarayana
The Tarayana Foundation is a non-profit organization, working to uplift and enhance the lives of people living in isolated rural communities in Bhutan. The Foundation complements and supplements the efforts of the Royal Government in poverty reduction by espousing the national goal, ‘Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness.’
The Tarayana Foundation was established in 2003 by Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, as a potential solution to the problems of the disadvantaged that she witnessed first hand during her tours to the remote corners of the nation.
Despite the pro-poor development strategy of the government, small communities in far-flung regions are still lagging behind in terms of socio-economic welfare. The Foundation was established to help these communities achieve self-sufficiency through small and targeted interventions.
Vision
A happy and poverty free Bhutan
Mission
To help the vulnerable and the disadvantaged help themselves
Motto
Service from the heart
Core Values
Compassion, Dignity, Integrity
Programs
1) Financial support to vulnerable individuals to achieve greater socio-economic security and dignity
Tarayana provides monthly maintenance allowances. The identification of the beneficiaries is done through rural needs assessment visits and selection is done by the Management Committee upon verification by local institutions. Tarayana volunteers and Tarayana School Clubs also help in the identification of beneficiaries. In addition, some individuals have extended grants to help finance new construction schemes (e.g. roofing) and rebuilding lives after natural and personal disasters.
2) Financial support to students in disadvantaged circumstances - Scholarship Endowment Fund
See ‘Fact Sheet on Tarayana Scholarship Endowment Fund’
3) Financial support to facilitate access to medical services
Tarayana continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and volunteer medical groups to bring specialized health services to the rural people. In 2007, Tarayana facilitated a restorative surgical camp at Paro. The Foundation also continues to sponsor poor patients for medical care by providing travel and sustenance allowance. Through this, the patients can receive appropriate care at the regional as well as national referral hospitals.
4) Promotion of artisan skills and crafts to enhance rural income
Community craft work sheds have been constructed in almost all the communities that Tarayana is currently working with. The Foundation has also acquired land in Bumthang, Gelephu and Kalapang, Mongar for construction of Regional Craft Centres.
5) Housing Improvement Project - Improve socio-economic security of rural communities
Under this project, 48 houses have been completed in the five Lhop villages of Dorokha Dungkhag. Ten more houses are in various stages of completion as the second phase of the housing project comes to an end this December. Some more houses will be supported in the third phase as funds become available.
The Tarayana Foundation is a non-profit organization, working to uplift and enhance the lives of people living in isolated rural communities in Bhutan. The Foundation complements and supplements the efforts of the Royal Government in poverty reduction by espousing the national goal, ‘Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness.’
The Tarayana Foundation was established in 2003 by Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, as a potential solution to the problems of the disadvantaged that she witnessed first hand during her tours to the remote corners of the nation.
Despite the pro-poor development strategy of the government, small communities in far-flung regions are still lagging behind in terms of socio-economic welfare. The Foundation was established to help these communities achieve self-sufficiency through small and targeted interventions.
Vision
A happy and poverty free Bhutan
Mission
To help the vulnerable and the disadvantaged help themselves
Motto
Service from the heart
Core Values
Compassion, Dignity, Integrity
Programs
1) Financial support to vulnerable individuals to achieve greater socio-economic security and dignity
Tarayana provides monthly maintenance allowances. The identification of the beneficiaries is done through rural needs assessment visits and selection is done by the Management Committee upon verification by local institutions. Tarayana volunteers and Tarayana School Clubs also help in the identification of beneficiaries. In addition, some individuals have extended grants to help finance new construction schemes (e.g. roofing) and rebuilding lives after natural and personal disasters.
2) Financial support to students in disadvantaged circumstances - Scholarship Endowment Fund
See ‘Fact Sheet on Tarayana Scholarship Endowment Fund’
3) Financial support to facilitate access to medical services
Tarayana continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and volunteer medical groups to bring specialized health services to the rural people. In 2007, Tarayana facilitated a restorative surgical camp at Paro. The Foundation also continues to sponsor poor patients for medical care by providing travel and sustenance allowance. Through this, the patients can receive appropriate care at the regional as well as national referral hospitals.
4) Promotion of artisan skills and crafts to enhance rural income
Community craft work sheds have been constructed in almost all the communities that Tarayana is currently working with. The Foundation has also acquired land in Bumthang, Gelephu and Kalapang, Mongar for construction of Regional Craft Centres.
5) Housing Improvement Project - Improve socio-economic security of rural communities
Under this project, 48 houses have been completed in the five Lhop villages of Dorokha Dungkhag. Ten more houses are in various stages of completion as the second phase of the housing project comes to an end this December. Some more houses will be supported in the third phase as funds become available.
6) Institutional Capacity Building - Make Tarayana an organization of passionate professionals
The Foundation is a goal-driven organization, with its attention firmly fixed on performance, strong financial management, and effective communication.
7) Tarayana Clubs - Fostering volunteerism in youth
Tarayana clubs were first established in sixteen high schools and a few higher institutes in 2004. The current number of clubs stands at 70 with membership of about 3555. The main purpose of these clubs is to help the rural communities close to the schools and institutes locally and to foster the spirit of volunteerism in the club members.
Management of the Foundation
Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, is the president of the Foundation. The administration and direction is overseen by a Board of Trustees appointed from a wide section of society. The Board meets twice a year to review ongoing activities and approve new ones.
The day-to-day management of the Foundation and the execution of projects and related activities are carried out by the Secretariat. The Secretariat is assisted by a Committee of Member Volunteers who help in the implementation of programs and provide technical and advisory services. The Committee meets every two weeks.
For more information about Tarayana, visit the Foundation’s Website at: http://www.tarayanafoundation.org/
