Educate and empower disadvantaged youth in Bhutan

Follow our Trans Bhutan Trek and raise money for the Choki Traditional Art School

All contributions to The Himalayan Youth Foundation will go in full to support these deserving students

“Empowering the disadvantaged youth as custodians of distinct culture”

This is the mission of the Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS), a private, not-for-profit educational institution for underprivileged youth in Bhutan, supported by the Himalayan Youth Foundation. By donating funds, your support will help ensure the school's sustainability and important mission.

Our goal:

By undertaking the Trans Bhutan Trek, we hope to raise awareness of the importance in preserving this unique and rich culture by sharing our journey with you via our dedicated Facebook page. We will trek 108km of the Trans Bhutan Trail and hope to raise funds to support the deserving students at CTAS. The school provides free tuition and board to 160 students per year, without government subsidization.

Help us to achieve our financial objective of $428,922 - any contribution is meaningful!

This financial target has been chosen to additionally pay respect to an important milestone for the Bhutan community. The 28th of September, 2022, was the date when the Trans Bhutan Trail was officially launched from the Simthoki dzong - the oldest dzong in Bhutan.

To learn more about our Trans Bhutan Trek and the fundraising journey we will be undertaking, please visit https://www.facebook.com/transbhutantrek

The Choki Traditional Art School:

Located in northern Thimphu, the Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS) is a private institution that provides free education to the underprivileged youth of Bhutan. It preserves the traditional arts by passing down the ancient crafts (painting, carving, weaving etc.) to the younger generation, along with providing a fundamental curriculum of subjects recognised by the Education authorities including English and IT.

The school first opened in 1999 with only five students and has since grown to be able to receive one hundred and sixty students per year. They are working towards attaining self-sufficiency and sustainability, but without government subsidisation, more visibility and essential funding are needed. The Himalayan Youth Foundation plays a key role in coordinating donations from donors worldwide to provide this financial support for CTAS in Bhutan. The Himalayan Youth Foundation is registered as a Public Charity Status and exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c).

This fundraising trek is an opportunity to honour the memory of Mr Choki, the founder of CTAS, who passed away in December 2022. He was aware of this initiative and expressed his gratitude to all for their gracious support. Our trek, proudly organised by Koenraad Foulon, family and friends, pays homage to Mr Choki's dedication and life's work to this important cause.

Dasho Choki Dorji, Founder CTAS

“I have been in traditional painting my whole life, and now, nearing the end of my life, my humble contribution will be to pass the skills to the younger generation. We must preserve our values and customs, our culture and tradition. This is one of our identities; if it disappears, it’s gone forever.”

To learn more about the Choki Traditional Art School, please visit https://chokischool.org/

The Himalayan Youth Foundation supports education projects for underprivileged children from remote regions of the Himalayas - projects that shelter and educate while providing food, clothing, medical care, and love.

“We are committed to providing children the learning tools and job skills necessary to raise the quality of life for themselves and their communities.”

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

On behalf of the Trans Bhutan Trek team, the Choki Traditional Art School, and the Himalayan Youth Foundation, we thank you for the care and love that your donation is providing these students. Your support is transforming lives and preserving a cultural integrity for a lifetime.