Bhutan Girls

Since 2011, a group of us in Noosa have been raising funds for an education program in Bhutan, supported by the Australian Himalayan Foundation.  The AHF works with RENEW ("Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women") a local NGO in Bhutan, to fund girls from remote villages to attend boarding school. Children in rural Bhutan often live several days' walk from their nearest school which makes boarding their only option. Although the annual cost of boarding is about $200, this is beyond the means of many families who live in extreme poverty. As a result girls, in particular, are often denied an education. Many of the girls funded by RENEW's education program have very difficult family circumstances, reflecting RENEW's focus on helping victims of domestic violence.

Over the last few years, Heather McNeice has trekked across Bhutan, visiting schools in the mountain villages of Laya, Jangothang, Lingshi and in the remote Lunana region where the two small schools are seven days' walk from the nearest road. The facilities in these schools are extremely basic.  She has met regularly with the directors of RENEW and with students supported by the education program.

Please help us to support the on-going funding of the girls' scholarship program.   

All the money we raise goes directly to the AHF.  Donations can be made via this page and, if you live in Australia, it's all tax deductible. 

Thanks so much for your support!