Gyalyum Charitable Trust launched

13 Jan 2016

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Her Majesty The Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck and Her Royal Highness Ashi Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck launched the Gyalyum Charitable Trust at the Textile Museum in Thimphu yesterday.

The Trust is aimed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the charitable organizations that enjoy the Royal patronage of Her Majesty the Gyalyum. It will also ensure that the services provided by the organizations continue to expand and benefit all sections of the society.

Chief Curator of the Trust, Tshering Uden Penjor, said the Trust is envisioned to encompass all Her Majesty’s initiatives including RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women), the Textile Museum and the Royal Textile Academy.

The Trust was registered as a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) recently. It will operate under the visionary leadership of her Majesty the Gyalyum, Her Royal Highness and the eminent board members.

The Chief Curator said the Trust is mandated to foster cooperation and coordination between the all organizations and chapters in pursuance of their aims, objectives and plans. The upcoming Craft Gallery, the Gyalyum’s Scholarship Programme, and the Dharma Initiative will operate as chapters under the auspices of the Trust.

The Craft Gallery, which is currently in the development stage, will promote the marketing and development of all forms for Bhutanese handicrafts. It will be a showroom and sales outlet for the products Bhutanese artisans make.

The Gyalyum Scholarship Programme is aimed to provide support to the children of the needy families to help them continue education. The scholarship programme will also provide financial assistance to schools in the remote districts for development of essential facilities.

The Dharma Initiative will support activities such as restoration of old monasteries, provision of support to monasteries for their upkeep maintenance, education and sustenance support to monks and nuns, and other related spiritual practices.

The Trust’s account is maintained with the Bank of Bhutan.

Speaker of the National Assembly Jigme Zangpo, home and cultural affairs minister Dawa Gyaltshen, health minister Tandin Wangchuk and agriculture and forests minister Yeshey Dorji and senior government officials attended the launch.

— MB Subba