Little to report today – it’s been a cold, wet and gloomy weekend – but yesterday I went to VAST for the first time in a while. I’ve been looking for another way to get involved in society and recently decided that I might be able to help at the Voluntary Arts Studio Thimphu.
They’re doing a great job of keeping kids off the streets, giving them a hobby and perhaps employable skills. With the western ideals and problems swamping them, kids are turning away from Bhuddism and peace to theft and gang mentalities. VAST creates an alternative that I’d like to help with. Not that I have any true artistic talent, but I may be able to get some interested in writing, and they often need coordinators for outdoor activities.
Yesterday was a bit of a write-off as far as getting involved as the king’s sister came to have a look and possibly enrole her son. The first hour was taken up with films of activities like the recent hosting of ‘Chacun son Everest’ a French group helping children recover from cancer. VAST members had taken them for a weekend camp, shown them around Thimphu, then helped them up to Thakshang – their Everest.
While all this was going on, I was tucked up in the office talking to the less well-dressed members who were too shy to meet the Princess. As far as I know, the session went well, and from next week, the king’s nephew will join us.