The group engages in voluntary activities

Kinley Wangchuk

A project called ‘Revive Bhutan’ engages people, especially youth, to recycle waste, conduct cleaning campaigns and other voluntary activities.

Beginning today, the project will construct kennels for dogs at Serbithang with the Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals (RSPCA).

The project founder, Karma Yeshey, said the event would bring youth and others together to know their ability, talent, creativeness and the value of helping animals.

He said 50 volunteers would work on Saturday and Sunday.

The 24-year-old said the project was formed on May 27 last year to recycle and reduce waste. “The organisation’s vision is to let people realise that their waste can be of value and the mission is to involve people.”

He started the project through his social media page.

Since there are other organisations working on waste, Karma Yeshey said Revive Bhutan tries to create employment by recycling waste. “We also try to reach to small communities.”

He explained people could recycle a used cup into a flowerpot or other decoration purposes. “We try to engage people by being creative.”

He said they faced financial challenges and can’t afford to pay much to employees. “It’s difficult to retain people’s interest and energy.”

Volunteers in the project form a home-based team, consisting of youth, people looking for employment, housewives and creative people.  There are also carpenters, painters, tailors, embroiderers and crafters.

Revive Bhutan had planned to do a yard sale, where the team would up-cycle items and sell them to raise a seed fund but could not do so due to the pandemic and Covid protocols.