The Royal Patron of Tarayana Foundation, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck inaugurated houses for low-income families in Tashiling-Maed of Semjong Gewog in Tsirang today. 26 families received the houses. The house construction began in 2015 with the foundation’s support of funds and construction materials.
Upon arrival at Semjong Gewog, the people of five chiwogs and beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Queen Mother in the form of cultural items and unique Lhotsham dances and songs.
While addressing the gathering, the Queen Mother said that the noble initiative of the housing project in the gewog was conceived during the Gyalum’s Royal Tour in the district some two decades ago.
The chiwog has over 60 households.
“Earlier, our family had a small house which was both used as a kitchen and a bedroom. But later we could construct a better house with more rooms with the help of Tarayana. We are also making a good income from fruit trees and vegetables. So, I decided to return home after spending a few years in Thimphu,” said Khina Maya Mafchan, Tarayana Housing beneficiary.
“We used leaves and tarpaulin as roofs in the past. It was difficult to reside in the houses when it rained. But we don’t have any problems and worries now as we have CGI sheet roofing,” said Yash Kumar Mafchan, another beneficiary.
The foundation has also helped farmers to form a 28-member Balakhop Vegetable Group with the necessary support.
The foundation distributed 300 cardamom saplings and five avocado saplings to all 26 families to earn a better living. The farmers started making income from the cardamom some two years ago and are expecting the harvest by next year.
Her Majesty the Queen Mother also granted the gathering with a Tokha and gave away clothes to around 80 elderly people in the gewog.
“Tarayana has been supporting us to uplift the rural livelihoods. For instance, we are already generating a good income from the harvest of cardamom. This has benefited every one of us here,” said Deo Bdr. Mafchan, Tarayana vegetable and fruit beneficiary.
In the afternoon, the Queen Mother paid a visit to Sergithang Gewog and met with the public. During a Royal Tour in 2004, Her Majesty the Queen Mother granted a new name to the gewog which was known as Pataley.
Addressing the gathering, the Queen Mother committed to initiating a housing project in the gewog.
Sergithang Gup Phub Dorji said around 60 families in the gewog don’t have proper houses while some have left their construction works halfway due to budget constraints.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
