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Youth Volunteer Walk- Ura to Bumthang

Banner of the Event
I received a call on 2nd August 2014 from the organizers if I shall be interested to join the second day of Youth Volunteer Walk. I didn't have a slightest idea of what it is all about, but, whatever said and done i said to myself- "let me join the group and find out what it is all about". So, i started my journey towards Dungmithang (approximately 11 kilometers from Chamkhar-Bumthang) to join the group. 

The Youth Volunteer walk was initiated by the Ura Middle Secondary School in Ura, Bumthang on 1st and 2nd August 2014. About 100 students, teachers, police personals and others joined the walk from Ura on the 1st of August. Ura is about 50 kilometers from Chamkhar, Bumthang. The group spent a night at Dungmithang-Bumthang, from where I had an opportunity to take part on the second day of the program. 


It was not just a 'walk' but along with the walk the group made awareness on garbage, proper hand washing techniques, better democracy and above all made the periphery of highway trash free. Above all, the walk was dedicated to the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty the fourth king of Bhutan. The walk ended with various programs performed by the students of Ura Middle Secondary School. Some of the programs were:

Picking Trash along the Highway
1. Awareness on being faithful to one's partner: 
Such awareness campaign should be very frequent as many so called educated and highly qualified people lack this discipline. They highlighted that remaining faithful to one's partner not only ensures healthy relationship but also prevents various deadly diseases from getting transferred. 

One of the program highlights- Health and Hygiene, Teenage Pregnancy and being faithful to partners 
2. Teenage Pregnancy:
Youths highlighted on the importance of avoiding teenage pregnancy. They made an important point by referring to the risk that such scenario would put on one's life.

3. Proper hand washing:
Students demonstrated correct techniques of washing hands. I have to admit that this was the first time witnessing detail hand washing techniques LIVE. 

4. Democracy:
Students made special appeal to the general public to choose the government wisely and also mentioned the importance of casting vote.

5. Importance of Cleanliness: 
All the students who participated in the walk performed on the importance of keeping our surrounding clean. They stressed that "it is the responsibility of everyone to keep our surrounding clean".

All said and done, I personally appreciated the organizers who put an effort to make this program happen. I feel that it was a great success. 

The program ended with warding certificates by the chief guest of the program- Dasho Dzongdag, Bumthang Dzongkag Administration.


Demonstration of Proper Hand Washing Techniques

Program highlighting importance of keeping surrounding clean

Trash maintenance

Vote and select better government

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