Days of having to rely on murky and unreliable drinking water are over for the people of Shingnyer village in Ura Gewog in Bumthang. They are happy and thankful to the Water Flagship Programme which handed over a new drinking water facility to them on Wednesday.
Before the project came to the village, most villagers of Shingnyer relied on a pool of water drawn from a marshy source. Until recently, half of the village population relied on a single tap for drinking water. With the three-month-long project successfully over, it will benefit more than 300 villagers.
“We had to fetch water in jerry cans and carry them home on our back in the past. Now we have water at our doorstep and we will be able to maintain hygiene. With increasing population, the pressure on the old source was mounting each year but now we have a bigger source which is a big relief for us,” said Chador Thinley, a Shingnyer resident.
Another resident, Pema Wangchuk, said “We are grateful to the Desuup volunteers who have worked hard for us. I used to tell them that their good deeds will earn merits and spiritual wellbeing. The project will truly fulfil the aspirations His Majesty The King has for us.”
“The connection shared between the Desuups and the community was beautiful. Desuups brought water to our doorsteps and we are so grateful to them. As a modest show of respect and appreciation to them, we often cooked meals for them,” said Sonam Tshomo, a Shingnyer resident.
More than Nu 4 M was spent on the project. 45 DeSuups built tanks, taps and laid more than a 6-kilometre long pipeline.
“We would like to thank His Majesty for this project which allowed me to gain new experiences and skills,” said Tandin Gyeltshen, a DeSuup.
“I had no construction skills before I joined the project. Now I know a thing or two,” said Yangchen Dema, a DeSuup.
Villagers now have enough water not just to drink but to spare as well. The water problem of Shingnyer is addressed for good.
Kipchu, Bumthang
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
