Bhutan - Youth Development Fund

There are many, many outreach programs that Dorji is responsible for.  The one that I became most familiar with is the center-  with dormitory capacity - in Punakha that provides the rural girls with few opportunities with the skills that will afford them a living.

The first image is of Dorji with 2 graduates from the center.  The girls had just returned from Bangkok, their journey and studies there a gift from a supporter in Thailand, with samples of the crafts that they had learned there.  The girls, who without this organization would be as yet dependent, were glowing with confidence and exuding happiness.

The next pictures are of girls waiting in front of the YDF office on interview day.  They were all hoping to qualify for admittance into the program.  One of the girls that Dorji is speaking with in the second image was telling, when asked, about her journey, largely on foot, to Thimphu for the interview.  She had walked for four days.  She volunteered that, yes, she had been frightened during the nights, of bears and tigers. 

The anxiety in the fourth image should be easy to pick up.

The last pictures are of girls at the center standing in the doorway to their dormitory and at work in the center's sewing room.