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Day 6, February 28th, First 2 school visits:
Shareb and I met at 7.45 to go to the Trashigang District Education Office in the Trashigang dzong. It was my first time entering this magnificent building. There are 20 dzongs in Bhutan (each district has one). It is a very beautiful grand building. As I walk in I hear chanting coming from the religious side of the building. I enter the old creaky administrative side of the building and meet the three Education Officer Assistants. After discussing which schools to visit we head out.
The first school we visit is Rangshikhar CPS (Community Primary School); A poor, understaffed school that has been heavily affected by the earthquake. The tiny school building still standing has large cracks in its plastered walls. The ceiling is sinking down. The kids are taking classes underneath UNICEF tents or in UNICEF supported tin huts. The principal is a very kind man with the best intentions for his students, but feels abandoned by the district admin. Our visit brings him hope that things will move forward and the construction of new classrooms will proceed, so he can soon see his students return to a classroom setting and an appropriate learning environment. Sherip, an engineer, takes a look at the building process - taking notes and instructing the workers on technical matters.
The drive up to these remote schools is on so-called "farm roads". I refer to them as "caveman roads". A comment that is highly appreciated, with thunderous laughter, by my two colleagues.
We passed through Rangjung, where Sherip lives. A cute and pretty well-planned little town.
The second school we visit, Bartsham PS, is situated on a most idyllic spot atop a mountain overlooking a green valley. The sun sets early in these mountains it seems, casting a golden glow over the football field where children play football in their plastic slippers wearing their traditional dress (the gho). This school was also heavily affected by the earthquake. Furthermore the school suffered from a lack of teachers, lack of toilets and acute water shortage. But there was positive energy in the air and the inspiring quotes of the 4th and 5th Kind of Bhutan written on the walls was a magnet of inspiration and aspiration. The kids were happy to go to school.
It was a long long day - the shaking and vibrating of the car on the caveman roads made me drowsy with sleep. Though these two schools were facing so many challenges, I still felt light and inspired. This positive attitude and outlook Bhutanese people have on life is contagious.
There is little room for negativity and despair in this country.
- comments
Kirsten :) Lovely!