Thinley Namgay 

On the occasion of the 13th Royal Wedding Anniversary, the Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan (DPOB), the Royal Society for Senior Citizens (RSSC), and Paro College of Education (PCE) unveiled the ‘Service with Care and Compassion Initiative Plus’ (SCCI+) project.   

This initiative marks a significant step in addressing the social and emotional needs of some of Bhutan’s most vulnerable populations.

The SCCI+ project is designed to assist homebound persons with disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens in their daily activities, fostering relationships built on respect and empathy. Services provided will include healthcare assistance, physical and emotional support, and companionship. 

This collaborative effort aims to create a supportive environment that promotes inclusion, independence, and community engagement. 

As of now, 47 first and second-year students from PCE have registered as members of the SCCI+ programme and will begin supporting PwDs and senior citizens in three pilot gewogs in Paro—Doteng, Hungrel, and Wangchang—starting next week during their free time and on weekends.

Currently, there are 20 individuals in these gewogs who require assistance. The DPOB and RSSC will provide the necessary resources, while PCE students will engage in ground activities and raise funds to support the initiative.   

The  Dean of Student Affairs of PCE, Ngawang Phuntsho, described the initiative as a movement towards building a Bhutan that cares for PwDs and senior citizens.

“Senior citizens represent the living history of Bhutan, having contributed significantly to the nation’s formation through their hard work and wisdom. Similarly, PwDs are valuable members of our community, deserving proactive care and support to live with dignity,” he said.

Officials from the DPOB and RSSC said that if the pilot project proves successful, they plan to expand it to other dzongkhags.

One key objective of involving PCE students is to inspire them to continue their community service after graduation.

Jangchuk Dorji, a volunteer, said that he is glad to be a part of this project. “Disability can affect anyone and that it should be a shared responsibility to help one another and provide hope in life.”

The National Council Member of Paro, Ugyen Tshering, who was the guest of honor, said that youth volunteers will set an example for others as their work embodies values such as compassion and a deeper sense of responsibility towards society.

“This  initiative will make Bhutan a more inclusive and compassionate society. This project also plays a transformative role in shaping the future leaders of Bhutan,” he said. 

Sector heads of Paro Dzongkhag administration, local leaders, caregivers, members of international organisations, civil society organisations, PwDs, and lecturers and students of PCE attended the event. 

As of 2023, there are around 48,000 PwDs in the country.