Day 7, March 1st, Rongthung and Chiya:

Visiting Rongthung CPS stirred my emotions in a delightful way. We witnessed the morning ceremony - children stood filed up by class singing the national anthem, followed by a minute of meditation. I really felt touched by the principal of the school and appreciated the way he managed his little school. His poise was one of kindness, compassion and good intentions. He encouraged the children to practice good hygiene and keep the toilets clean. He initiated a vegetable and herb garden to enable students to have weekly direct contact with nature. He took good care of his staff and acted lovingly towards his students. He told us all about how the school practiced the different principles of Gross National Happiness. It is difficult to explain in words, but I was impressed, and something more fundamental was stirred inside of me - my heart and mind were awakened to something more profound. I felt like this experience gave my minds' eye focus. I am fascinated by the power of GNH to teach valuable life practices to people at a young age. Integrating the values GNH promotes into the education system initiates the cultivation of mindful, conscientious, patriotic citizens. I felt like I was seeing the tip of an iceberg, of something the West and modern world can really learn from Bhutan.

The next stop was a long arduous journey to Chiya CPS, the most remote school we visited thus far. Nearly an hour on caveman road and a 45 minute hike down to the school. We passed through a small agricultural village - wooden and stone houses surrounded by unruly banana trees and large empty potato & rice fields. Yet another unique sight. The temperature was hot and the village quiet. Some women gathered around the only water supply hose, washing their hair and filling up plastic tanks to be carried all the way up to their homes. When we arrived the children were eating their lunch (supported by WFP) in their dining area. The school was in poor condition. There was acute water and toilet shortage. But again, the teachers and principal were doing their best to make sure children were learning and making the best of what they had.

In the evening Gepke held a meeting with Sherip and I to be updated on what we had seen. We shared our findings and wrote out an action plan on how the progress of the construction of the sites can best be addressed and undertaken. Though progress is slow in this country, there is forward movement.