Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck graced the formal signing of a Deed of Partnership Reaffirmation between the Gyalyum Charitable Trust, RENEW, and the PATRIZIA Foundation at Gawailing Happy Home in Wangsisina, Thimphu on Saturday. With the signing, the organisations will be continuing their partnership. The renewed partnership reaffirmed the shared commitment of the organisations to support inclusive and sustainable development, with a focus on strengthening education in Bhutan for future generations.
Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the Royal Patron of the Gyalyum Charitable Trust and RENEW, and Wolfgang Egger, Founder of the PATRIZIA Foundation, signed the Deed of Partnership Reaffirmation.
The PATRIZIA Children Foundation was established in 1999 by Wolfgang Egger, committed to improving the education of children and young people worldwide.
Tshering Dolkar, Executive Director of RENEW said, “This partnership was established in 2018, and since then we have continuously worked on how to move it forward. We are now seeing its impact through the establishment of a vocational training institute in Bumthang. Construction is set to begin, and the outcome of the MoU signed in 2018 is finally coming to fruition.”
The site at Lamai Goenpa in Bumthang has been cleared for the construction of the RENEW Vocational Training Centre.
RENEW is also developing a curriculum to ensure the programme meets national certification requirements.
The centre aims to expand access to skills-based education and enhance livelihood opportunities for Bhutanese youth.
Tshering Dolkar added that “We hope to establish the vocational training institute and also aim to start with a certification programme. Our focus is on vocational skills such as cooking, weaving, tailoring, baking, and floriculture, among others. At the same time, we want to prioritize the development of IT skills for women.”
At the event, Her Majesty launched a new logo for RENEW Microfinance. RENEW Microfinance was established in 2012 and seeks to improve the quality of life and the status of vulnerable women and their families, mainly in rural areas and empower them with the ability of financial independence.
The event also saw the launch of a novel The Housewife authored by Chador Wangmo.
The book offers a psychological portrait of an abused woman who escapes a violent marriage by retreating into her imagination, exploring themes of survival, invisibility, and the fragile line between reality and illusion.
Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck also graced an exhibition showcasing products developed by women and children from Gawaling Happy Home.
Founded and supported by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Gawaling Happy Home is currently home to around 50 residents and provides protection, care, and support to women and children affected by domestic and gender-based violence.
A sense of happiness and hope filled Gawaling Happy Home with the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, reflecting Her Majesty’s lifelong dedication to social welfare and community empowerment.
Kinzang Lhadon
