Thimphu READ Center

26/09/2026

As part of our 'Youth Climate Resilience & Green Livelihoods Initiative', the Thimphu READ Center hosted a workshop at Zilukha Middle Secondary School today, bringing together 30 students from 3 participating schools in Thimphu — Zilukha Middle Secondary School, Changzamtog Middle Secondary School, Thimphu , and Dechenchholing Higher Secondary School - along with their respective DRR focal teachers. The session was facilitated by KOICA volunteers currently serving with Clean Bhutan , who guided students through this interactive and engaging climate education tool.
Through teamwork, discussion, and peer learning, students explored the causes and effects of climate change, the human activities driving it, and the interconnected impacts we see around us and, importantly, the solutions we can champion together. Beyond building knowledge, the workshop aimed to nurture young climate champions who will carry these lessons back to their schools and spread awareness among peers, families, and their wider communities.
It was a truly engaging and successful session, and we're excited to keep the momentum going. The workshop will be held next for 3 more schools in Thimphu and 3 in Paro over the coming month.

Thankful to all our stakeholders for the support today : Aktion Deutschland Hilft and ASB South and South-East Asia for supporting the initiative, Clean Bhutan and KOICA volunteers for facilitation support, and all participants for their time and effort.



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22/09/2026

Baseline Survey Complete:
Before any training begins, we listen. Over the past few weeks, the Thimphu READ Center reached out to 204 students across our 9 partner schools in Thimphu and Paro to understand what young people already know - and where they need our support - under the ' Youth Climate Resilience & Green Livelihoods Initiative', supported by Aktion Deutschland Hilft and ASB South and South-East Asia
What we found gives us both encouragement and clear direction. Our students care deeply - nearly 9 in 10 told us matters to them, and almost all said they want to protect nature and help their communities become more resilient. They already practice good habits every day, from to responsibly. But when it comes to knowing what to do in an emergency, the picture is uneven: while most students feel confident about , thanks to regular school drills, far fewer feel prepared for floods or fires, hazards their schools rarely practice for. Structured training in and is still rare, even though it's exactly what students told us they want to learn most.
This baseline isn't just a report for our records, it's our roadmap. It tells us precisely where our upcoming DRR & Climate Clubs and Youth Resilience Bootcamps need to focus first: building confidence and hands-on skills in flood and fire response, first aid, and multi-hazard preparedness, alongside the environmental values our students already carry so beautifully. In the months ahead, our hub-and-spoke model will bring this capacity-building directly into all 9 schools, turning today's awareness into tomorrow's readiness.


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13/09/2026

At the READ Center, our routine always starts with a good book.

​Before diving into homework, test prep, or art projects, every child chooses a book to read. Our beginner readers often return to familiar favorites and we love to see it. Re-reading builds confidence, helps kids connect letters to words, and makes every read-through smoother than the last. Meanwhile, our intermediate readers are always eager to hunt down their next new story.

​To celebrate their progress, we set up a reading chart. The kids love showing off their growing reading skills and watching their logs fill up. Each regular sticker marks 10 books read in a week, topped off with a brilliant special sticker to celebrate reaching that 10-book milestone.

​Instead of using standard photos for the chart, the kids drew their own self-portraits and as you can see, we have a seriously creative group.
​Seeing our students willingly choose reading as their very first activity every day brings us so much joy.


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Book Aid International

08/09/2026

Today, on , the Thimphu READ Center pauses to reflect on a journey made possible by so many hands and hearts. What began as a simple belief — that every child deserves the joy and power of reading — has grown into a community of learners, dreamers, and changemakers across Thimphu and beyond.
But literacy, for us, has never lived in books alone. It shows up quietly in every program we run — when a young girl reads through a pamphlet and understands her own body with confidence, when a community member follows a guide and knows how to keep their family safe, when a participant in our training reads through a business plan and turns a skill into an income. These moments remind us that literacy is not just the ability to read — it is the foundation that makes every other kind of learning and growth possible.
None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors and supporters, who have given us resources, funded projects, and stood by us through every season of growth. To our volunteers, who show up again and again with patience and love for our community — thank you for helping us reach further than we ever could alone. And to every user and beneficiary who has walked through our doors and trusted us — you are the heart of everything we do. Your faith in us, your warmth, and your presence keep this work alive.
As we mark this day, we recommit ourselves to the mission that brought us here: building a community where literacy touches every part of life, and every initiative — whether about health, safety, or livelihood — is stronger because someone could read, understand, and act. May we always find new ways to reach more. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.



fans READ Global Book Aid International ASB South and South-East Asia Days for Girls International Singapore American School Aktion Deutschland Hilft BCLiP Sherig Bhutan Wangsel Institute for the Deaf Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children & Youth Pema Lingpa Central School པད་གླིང་དགེ་འདུན་སློབ་གྲྭ་ལྟེ་བ།

06/09/2026

What a joyful day it has been. We are so thankful to our two wonderful writers, Ms. Karma Tsering and Ms. Tashi Pem , for spending their time with our kids and reading them stories from their books, 'The Gift' and 'How Old is Pema'. Their presence made the day feel truly blessed, bringing so much joy and wonder to so many young readers.
A heartfelt thank you to Book Aid International for making this celebration possible, and to all the parents and kids who joined us for the initiative — your presence made it all the more special.
May we always find joy in reading, and may there always be one more book to read. 💛


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01/09/2026

29/08/2026

Come explore the new collection with us and discover your next favorite story. Whether you're a curious first-time visitor or one of our regular little bookworms, we can't wait to see you at the Center soon.
Thanks to Book Aid International for the collection.

29/08/2026

Come explore the new colkection with us and discover your next favorite story. Whether you're a curious first-time visitor or one of our regular little bookworms, we can't wait to see you at the Center soon.
Thanks to Book Aid International for the collection.

26/08/2026

Calling all young readers!
The Thimphu READ Center is celebrating International Literacy Day with a morning full of stories, laughter, and books coming to life and we'd love for your little one to be part of it. Join us on Sunday, 6th September for readings by two wonderful local authors, Ms. Karma Tsering (reading from 'The Gift') and Ms. Tashi Pem (reading from 'How Old is Pema'), followed by a fun Q&A with the authors and hands-on literacy activities to wrap up the day. The program is designed for children at the primary level, and parents and guardians are always welcome to come along and share in the fun.
Entry is free, but registration is required - with only 30 seats available, we'd encourage you to sign up early so your child doesn't miss out. For registration, call 1725 8662
Come celebrate with us.

Book Aid International
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25/08/2026

New arrivals at the Center, thanks to Book Aid International.
Stay tuned for updates on more new titles.

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