Tarayana Foundation has been helping low-income families in rural pockets of the country for about two decades. In Tsirang, the foundation supported needy families by constructing about 230 homes in the last seven years. And the support scheme doesn’t end here. The foundation plans to initiate a housing project in Sergithang Gewog soon. The foundation’s Royal Patron Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck shared this in response to Sergithang Gup’s plea on the need for proper homes for some low-income families in the gewog. Her Majesty was on a Royal tour in the district last month.
Suk Bdr. Monger in Sergithang Gewog lives in an old house. He was born and raised in the same house. While he is 46 today, his house is more than five decades old. The house is left in on a verge of collapse today due to the earthquake in 2018. The father of six has no resources to build a new home since he has been investing a major chunk of his income in his children’s education.
“It is very risky and scary but we have to live in it. When it rains, there is a risk of the house collapsing,” he says.
Having a roof over their heads is not only a challenge for Suk Bdr. but also a far-fetched dream for some other families in the gewog. Some of them even had to sell their inherited land to meet this need.
“I had to spend all my income on my children’s education and am left with nothing now. Residing inside my single-room house is very challenging, especially during summer. Mosquitoes and insects enter inside easily,” said Chatur Man Rai, from the same gewog.
“I started constructing a new house after the present house became old and risky to live in. It has been eleven months but I couldn’t complete still due to budget constraints. I work for others and after earning some amount I resume my house construction works,” added Babi Lal Rai, in Sergithang Gewog.
According to the Sergithang Maed Tshogpa, Budha Bir Rai, most of the residents without a proper home in his chiwogs are elderly people and those with disability.
Sergithang Gup Phub Dorji highlighted this during the Royal tour of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to Tsirang recently.
“More than 60 families in the gewog are challenged without proper homes today. Therefore, I on behalf of low-income families request Your Majesty the Queen Mother to kindly support them to construct homes through the Tarayana Foundation’s project,” the gup said.
Her Majesty committed to supporting these families in constructing houses through the Tarayana Foundation.
“The Tarayana Foundation’s plan to support us in constructing houses will be of great help to us,” said a relieved Suk.
Like Suk Bdr. other needy families in Sergithang Gewog can again live in decent homes soon. They have high regard for Tarayana Foundation, which so far has constructed over 2,500 homes for low-income families and initiated various livelihood projects in 500 villages across the country.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam
