While children in towns often spend their vacations busy with enrichment camps and workshops, students in remote villages are rarely as lucky. But this summer, in Logchina, a tiny village about 30 kilometres from Phuentshogling, young students are breaking that norm. For once, they’re swapping empty holiday days for a rare chance to learn, play, and grow through a special summer programme bringing city opportunities right to their doorstep.
In the quiet village of Logchina, smiles and excitement fill the air as students come together for the first-ever summer engagement programme.
The students participated in various activities, including understanding sexual and gender-based violence, building resilience skills, child online protection, and handicraft making.
“I got a good experience and could learn many new skills. These types of programmes are important as they help us shape our future. Therefore, we would like to request the relevant offices to help us get such programmes during our vacation in the coming days,” said Ugal Ghalley, Student, Darla Higher Secondary School, Chhukha.
“Many youth these days are on social media all the time. So, we need to know how to stay safe. From this programme, I could learn how to use the internet safely. We need this type of programme again because it helps us build our confidence,” said Milena Rai, Student, Logchina Middle Secondary School, Chhukha.
“Confidence is the first thing I could get from this programme. We’ve got many lessons and values like public speaking, peer bonding and interactions, how to respect our elders and many more. I could also learn many new skills. If given equal opportunities like this, I feel we can also compete on par with children in the urban areas,” said Suraj Biswa, Student, Logchina Middle Secondary School, Chhukha.
More than thirty students took part in the programme. According to RENEW officials, looking at the interest shown by the community and its impact, they will plan for similar future programmes. However, officials said, a limited budget is a challenge.
“We have conducted such programmes in the last two years. Students from these communities called us to register for the programme. However, we could not give them the opportunity as they are far away from Phuentshogling. Logistics was an issue. So, this time we decided to bring the programme here to them, where they live,” said Pema Choki, Centre Manager, RENEW, Phuentshogling, Chhukha.
“This happened for the first time in Logchina Gewog. In town areas, many such programmes are organised. Both children and parents here have been requesting us to bring programmes like this. This can help our children a lot,” said Tham Bdr Rai, Logchina Gup, Chhukha.
For the students here, it’s more than just a summer activity. It’s a step towards a more confident, capable, and equal future.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
