The Water Project under the De-Suung National Service in Telung under Pema Gatshel is in full swing today. The project is to provide the service to the people and a skill gaining work for the people working on it. More than 30 per cent of the work is complete.
More than 70 De-Suup volunteers are busy working on the project. Today they are busy laying the foundation for two water tanks in the middle of the forest.
“Working in construction site like water supply project is very new for me. It is difficult initially but it’s interesting when we get used to it. And as the water source is on the top of the hill, we learned how to lay the water pipes in steep terrain and foundation for tanks,” said Migmar Lham, a De-Suup in Dechhenling Gewog under Pema Gatshel.
“His Majesty always says, it is not a question of whether we can do something or not, the question is, are we going to do it or not. Likewise, most of the friends are young and they don’t have any experience. So, it is quite difficult for us in the beginning. We get used to it after some time. Moreover, engineers and other officials are very helpful and we are learning a lot,” added Karma Kencho, also a De-Suup.
“I am happy to get this opportunity to serve His Majesty and the people. In the past when I was working in construction, there would be many experienced workers. But most of our friends here are unskilled and I can also share my skills with them today,” said Sonam Dorji, another De-Suup.
The volunteers are laying a seven-kilometre long pipeline and more than 20 kilometres of distribution lines in the village.
Once the project completes in June, it will benefit some 85 households.
This is the eighth such project under the De-Suung National Service. The national service was started to provide opportunities for the youth to be engaged in meaningful and impactful national projects.
The first De-Suung National Service Water Pilot Project was launched from Punakha in November last year.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
