Build-A-House

Update 2009.05.06: The latest progress report from VAST.

Update 2009.03.30: With word from a friend that another $600 or so will reach us soon, I deem it safe enough to announce that we’ve reached our target. Big thanks to all our friends and family who have come forward and donated so very generously.  An update will follow soon on the final tally and other news. Thank you once again!

During my time in Bhutan, I was a member of Volunteer Artists Studio of Thimphu (VAST), a local non-profit organisation that aims to promote the arts to Bhutanese youths. Established in 1998, VAST is the torchbearer of contemporary art in Bhutan and is well-known locally for their many community programmes.

As part of their efforts to encourage social responsibility, VAST is raising funds for their Build-a-House community programme. VAST hopes to raise sufficient funds to build a safe shelter for an impoverished family of 6 living in Punakha, in western Bhutan. Details of the programme and Ap. Khen and his family can be found at http://www.vast-bhutan.org/projects/build-a-house/.

We hope to raise S$2,125 for the family by April 3, 2009. All contributions, regardless of amount, will be accepted with our gratitude.

For those of you in Singapore, I accept donations in cash or via internet banking fund transfers. Please contact me for bank account details so that I can better track your donations. For transparency, all donations received will be recorded and viewable online at: http://tinyurl.com/buildhouse. The money collected will be pooled and transferred to VAST in a single transaction to save bank processing fees.

If you live outside of Singapore, or choose to donate directly to VAST, please check here for bank account details or how you can donate online. You may also contact VAST directly if you have any queries or want to help in other ways.

More Information:

On behalf of VAST and the family that we are helping, Thank You.

– Li-Ping

Sweet Sorrow

It was an odd feeling. The same faces, the same office, the same streets. Having my life, as it was some two months ago, miraculously “restored” as if nothing has changed. As if someone has pressed the fast-forward button, and here I am again.

And just as quickly, the days have flown by. I leave the morning after tomorrow. It will be a while before I am here again. If I do. But life is a difficult beast to predict, so there lies my final consolation. One day. Perhaps. Maybe.

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

And we are baaack!

I didn’t think it was going to happen, but I’m back in Bhutan. Thanks in a big part to some serious running around by Kuenga. A friend is tagging along this time (she arrives tomorrow morning) and it will be fun to see how this tropical girl is going to cope with the Bhutanese winter.

Short stint this time (2 weeks) for some official work. It’s going to be hectic on both the work and social fronts, so there probably won’t be much time for the blog. Till next time.