Reaching out to needy children

Thirteen-year-old Pem Dorji is enrolled in class six in Phongmey primary school in a remote village in eastern Bhutan. Although a bright boy, he almost had to leave school, because he was unable to afford a school uniform, shoes and other daily school needs.

Pem is an orphan. He is cared for by a distant relative too poor to support him through school.

We came across Pem during a UNICEF field visit. The Headmaster of the school identified him and the Human Touch Fund discussed and decided he should be one of the first recipients of the support.

The fund, set up by the UNICEF Thimphu Staff Association, provides small support for children, like Pem, living in especially difficult circumstances.

Contribution from staff and other individuals now amounts to about US$1060. For Pem, the Fund contributed US$43 for the year, enough for his school stationery supply, shoes and other school essentials for a year. In addition to the above, "we have been able to release a sum of money equivalent to US$877 to support 27 school-going children (11 girls and 16 boys) who are orphans living in difficult circumstances. The support is made through the field office of an NGO called National Women Association of Bhutan (NWAB) based in the eastern district of Trashigang", explained Sonam Tobgay, the HTF Manager.

A small contribution can help touch the lives of such children in Bhutan. Cheques and drafts (drawn only on US banks) may be sent to the Manager, Human Touch Fund, UNICEF Thimphu, Bhutan. Email stobgay@unicef.org for more information.