Voices from the Highlands For a week, the team had the opportunity to journey through the stunning Jomolhari landscape, meeting yak herding families, visiting schools, and discovering new initiatives to expand our impact. Soe, a snow leopard habitat, is also home to yak herders who face the challenge of coexisting with the species. Rather than viewing the snow leopard as an enemy, the community has adapted with resilience. Fenced enclosures protect their livestock at night, though daytime losses remain a pressing concern. The Team visited Soe Primary School, established in 2013 with support from the Bhutan Foundation to promote education in remote highland communities. The school serves thirteen students, mostly from yak-herding families, who face the challenges of living in a remote community, harsh weather, and even the occasional yak wandering into the school premises. Despite these hurdles, many children walk over an hour daily to attend school, balancing their studies with tending to the yaks. Their determination to pursue education, no matter the conditions, was inspiring. (fb)

Thank you to everyone who submitted proposals for the Small Grants Program! The application period is now closed, and we will be reaching out to those individuals whose proposals have been selected. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at smallgrants@bhutanfound.org. (fb)