Warm winter in small but mighty Bhutan
2023-2024 Providing Winter Supplies to Nunneries in Bhutan
Bhutan lies in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas in southwestern Asia. It is a nation that cherishes nature and strives to ensure the happiness of its people. Bhutan has a solemn yet familiar feel.
Bhutanese buildings preserve traditional culture.
△nuns, smiling warmly
From December 2023 to March 2024, JTS collaborated with the BNF Foundation in Bhutan to initiate support activities for the Bhutanese Buddhist nunneries across the country. Bhutan is extremely cold in the winter. The majority of its land is in mountainous areas above 2,000 meters above sea level. JTS reached out to the BNF Foundation to request a list of essential items needed. The BNF Foundation representatives conducted a preliminary assessment, comparing the prices and the quality of various essential items in local stores. Relying on this assessment, JTS continued its collaboration with the foundation.
△ The personnel comparing blanket prices
△ The personnel comparing shoe prices
△ Selected shoes1
△ Selected shoes2
JTS provided 590 jackets, 500 pairs of socks, 500 blankets, and 1,239 pairs of shoes to 1,585 young nuns belonging to 36 nunneries. The bright smiles on the children’s faces also brighten the hearts of those who see them.
△ The nuns holding their shoes 1
△ The nuns holding their shoes 2
△ The nuns holding a blanket
△ The nuns holding a jacket
JTS also provided additional sports equipment to support the physical activities of young nuns.
△ Personnel carrying table tennis equipment.
△ Supported sports equipment
△ Personnel distributing volleyballs and sports equipment.
JTS provided 30 badminton rackets, 500 jump ropes, and five sets of equipment for table tennis, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The sounds of laughter from the joyfully playing nuns fill the playground.
△ The young nuns playing soccer
△ Young nuns holding table tennis rackets
△ The nuns receiving sports equipment
We convey the heartfelt gratitude from Bhutan below.
“For the last four years, we have wanted to purchase equipment for sports such as table tennis. Due to financial constraints, however, we couldn’t afford it. We are grateful to JTS for supporting us with sports equipment for the young nuns.”
– Paro, Karma Leksheyling’s Kenpo Namgyal
“There has been no organization that sponsored winter goods and sports equipment. This has been a great help to the nuns living in remote areas. Sports equipment will help maintain health and lead an active daily life. We are thankful to JTS for their warm support.”
-Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan’s Ani Weshel Wangmo
“Thank you for providing winter blankets. I am happy that they will keep us warm during the cold season. We would like to thank everyone who has offered their assistance.”
-Ani Pema from Nerlung Nunnery
△ The young nuns wearing shoes and making a ‘V’ sign
Hoping for warmth in the winters of Bhutan, where people live in cold high-altitude weather, JTS will continue to support the nunneries in the future, aiming to improve the educational environment of the nuns.
