In an effort to shape a promising future for rural communities, the “Mawong Yuetsen” project has been making waves in Tsirang. This innovative initiative, aimed at rural development and community engagement, has united civil servants, local leaders, and villagers to join forces in transforming their respective gewogs. The initiative is a competition of ideas and saw over 70 participants with about 30 diverse activities in its pilot phase.
As one of the entries, Batasay farmers in Tsirang successfully connected the sacred site of Dophu Ney, located above their village, to a safe drinking water source. Additionally, they constructed essential structures such as a kitchen and a toilet, enhancing the site’s amenities.
Recognising their exceptional efforts, the Batasay farmers emerged as the winners among the seven competing groups, earning a cash prize of Nu 120,000. With this prize money, the group intends to further enhance the site’s appeal, aiming to attract both domestic and international visitors.
“Earlier, the Dophu Ney didn’t have a water supply for both drinking and making water offerings. It was also very inconvenient for devotees without a toilet at the site. So our youth group have focused on connecting drinking water supply and constructed a toilet for the pilgrim site,” said Aga Nidhi Archarya, Batasay Youth Group.
Likewise, the Aesthetic Rangthangling group, led by local leaders of Rangthangling Gewog, created a beautifully crafted rock garden to provide a place for rest and leisure for the people. Their project secured the second position in the competition, securing a prize of Nu 70,000.
“After we converted the waste collection area into a resting place, people are happy and we see people coming here and enjoying themselves. Moreover, these days it has become a place for youths to shoot Tiktok videos,” said Leela Raj Sunwar, Rangthangling Gup.
The Mawong Yuethsen initiative, launched in September last year, was organised by the Project for Rural Development (PRuDent) in collaboration with RENEW Microfinance. This initiative draws inspiration from the successful “Our Village Has a Future” concept that originated in Germany in 1961.
“We wanted to prove that when the people of the village come together, they can achieve a lot for their village without any monetary or monetary surplus in the beginning. The prizes they received from us will go into the project. And some of them already used their own money in the beginning, so this money is supposed to refund them,” said Laura, Country Representative, in Germany.
Under this initiative, participants are required to register their ideas, and they are granted six months to bring their ideas to fruition. Subsequently, the entries are evaluated and assessed.
The project also has plans to initiate such rural development projects in Chhukha and Haa districts.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
