Homeless Bhutanese Elders find solace at Samtrul Rinpoche's Begana Lhakhang

Earlier this year, on a cold January afternoon, a group of us from the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Ltd., Thimphu, organized a bit of material help for the homeless old-folks living in dire conditions near Begana Lhakhang, in northern part of Thimphu.

A few of us made an initial visit there inquiring first-hand about their whereabouts to study the situation thoroughly.

The poignant stories of these homeless folks have apparently gained mass-awareness amongst the Thimphunites, or so i heard. However, everyone obviously being too busy running their modern lives could hardly spare a moment. Never before has such predicament loomed over our collective consciousness with such ferocity in Bhutan. Not that I know of. Perhaps I am an ignorant, privileged city folk. Nevertheless, a Bhutanese tradition of one taking care of one's elders is something our parents' generation prided in. The tradition still somewhat stands, but alas it steadily dwindles.

The Begana elders were either abandoned by their now adult-children, and/or have zero relatives to their name. Unlike the west, Bhutan has yet to build elderly homes. There's always been a tacit belief that the children will take care of their parents "when they are sixty-four, when their legs can't carry them anymore...when their teeth fall out". But with times, ideas of what constitutes our responsibilities and duties change?

Old and helpless these Begana elders have found each other in their despair through words-of-mouth, at a place; the residential property of the late Samtrul Rinpoche in Begana, where they set up camps during nights and practice dharma during the day. And the Lhakhang's monks have generously shared their meals with the elders. Such "jangchuk-sempas". There's still some hope.

Winters are harsh in Thimphu, and it was there, and we had to do something. The elders, all twenty two of them, with much gratitude in their voices and hearts listed the following bare necessities that would make their wintertime bearable;

• Jackets
• Shoes
• Blankets
• Salt
• Tea
• Milk Powder/Sugar
• Rice
• Cooking oil
• Soap & Detergents

The group immediately got to work collecting donations from friends, families, and other staff members of the RICB. The Management of the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Ltd. were moved by this gesture that they immediately donated Nu.50,000/-  towards the cause. Overall, we had collected about Nu.70,000/- (Est. $1,100).

It was a humbling experience when we finally bought and delivered the above items to the elders. Some of them with tears in their eyes felt blessed, yet sad at the same time having to live on charity. We thanked Lopen Tshultrim who looks after the monks in Begana Lhakhang and now these elders living in the make-shift huts around the property, as well.

What we learnt as volunteers is that these elders might as well be our own grandparents! What they lack is love and care that we as humans require to thrive. They have tales to tell, and they are our last living generation of the authentic Bhutanese tradition. Most of them have no relatives, none at all. We need to open our eyes and extend helping hands; if only in sitting with them and having a conversation; nonetheless we might learn a thing or two about our own humanity which seems to be losing ground in pursuit of the material world...

Elders Gathering together under Lopen Tshultrim's(right) supervision.

Canine friends grace the group.

Grandma smile.

Grandpa outside his place.

At his makeshift hut.

Smiles. Butterlamps.

Their humble abode.

Lets open the windows.

Water supply.

Lopen Tshultrim talks to the elders.

Volunteers having tea.

Volunteers helping with shoe sizes.

A young volunteer and his friend packing some food supplies.

Volunteers.

Volunteers unpacking.

A young volunteer helping an old man with his shoe size.