Ever since taking up the choeten white washing project on November 11, 2016
on a voluntary basis, the community based scouts (CBS) of Kuenphen (Let’s Help)
has completed whitewashing of 362 choetens under three different phases in
Thimphu, Chhukha, Paro, Trongsa, Zhemgang and Bumthang. Kuenphen (Let’s Help) is a youth group initially formed in 2016 by a group
of scouts and community based scouts. 108 Choetens White-Washing Project is one
of the major projects of Kuenphen (Let’s Help). Project Coordinator Tandin Tshering Dorji said the project was initially
started to commemorate the 60th Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo,
but was extended realizing that most of the choetens, which hold our culture,
history and identity, were left unattended. “Therefore, we decided to reach each and every choeten in our country,” he
added. Meanwhile, this project is sustained by donation and volunteerism from
interested individuals. Its objective is to keep our youth fruitfully engaged
during their breaks, preserve our culture and orient the people about the
importance of choeten. Currently, the project is in the 4th phase in Pemagatshel and 22 choetens
were whitewashed as of now in three days with another 86 choetens remaining to
be whitewashed. The project’s Coordinator , Sonam Jurme, said they are planning to launch
this project nationwide soon as there are thousands of other choetens, which
need to be whitewashed and preserved. He added that they were also able to engage the young people meaningfully
during their vacation through the project. “We are also able to promote and preserve our most valuable cultural
heritage and able to inculcate the sense of belongingness to one’s community,”
he said. Project Coordinator Tandin said their project usually involves the Dzongdas,
gups, youth and the local communities and that Nu 150,000 is incurred to
whitewash 108 choetens. Meanwhile, the Kuenphen (Let’s Help) was also awarded Youth Community Award
organized by Youth Caring Community during the International Youth Day 2018. Tshering from Thimphu
