LocationsSonam Choden, a stroke survivor whips a batch of vanilla cupcakes Photo: Kinley Wangmo/UNDP Bhutan
It’s been almost two months since Sonam Choden, 22 years, launched a bakery business, Healthy Options in Motithang, Thimphu, with 14 other persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Wearing a white uniform and mask over her mouth, Sonam beats eggs in a bowl, readying another batch of vanilla cupcakes in the bakery, adjoining Bhutan Stroke Foundation. The foundation supports the bakery’s management.
Sonam is a stroke survivor. “I was preparing for my Class XII board exams when I got the stroke which left half of my body paralysed,” she said. “The past two years I have been mostly wheel-chair bound, and through consistent physiotherapy I’ve recovered, although not fully.”
She completed her Class XII and passed the exams but wishes to work at the bakery. She was one of the 15 PwDs who received bakery training initiated by the Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) in collaboration with Ministry of Labour and Human Resources.
Sonam Choden (left) runs the bakery with other persons with disabilities Photo: Kinley Wangmo/UNDP Bhutan
Over 40 PwDs were skilled in baking, tailoring, candy production and music so they could start businesses. To help them immediately utilize the newly acquired skills, UNDP and KOICA in partnership with GNHC provided musical instruments, tailoring and bakery equipment to the group. The support includes a set of candy manufacturing equipment, bakery and musical instruments, and 17 tailoring sets. The equipment support will help them kickstart their businesses.
Kuenga Dorji, who is visually impaired leads the candy production house Photo: Kinley Wangmo/ UNDP Bhutan
Members of Kuenphel Entertainment performing at the Druk Tshongrig Gatoen in November 2021 Photo:Kinley Wangmo/UNDP Bhutan
The other four businesses are Lhagoe tailoring in Olakha, Candy Production House in Hongkong Market and Kuenphel Entertainment in Pamtsho. Kuenphel Entertainment provides music lessons and entertainment services for events, while the Candy Production House makes fruit candies.
Dorji Tamang is one of the five PwDs working at the tailoring shop in Olakha Photo: Kinley Wangmo/UNDP Bhutan
At Lhagoe tailoring, Dorji Tamang, 29 is ironing a kira. In 2013, a car accident left him with a fractured limb. He was working as a driver then. Unable to drive again he started a small business, which did not survive. He was living in his village in Tsirang when he heard about the skilling opportunity. “Tailoring has become my livelihood source,” he said, adding that, five of the trainees were working with their trainer for now.
“He has an established market, and we are tapping into that,” he said. In near future, he said, the group would like to expand and recruit more PwDs.
To support the PwD run businesses please contact them at:
Healthy Options Bakery, Hati Dunga, Motithang, 17793021
Candy Production House, Hongkong Market, 17998381
Lhagoe Tailoring, Olakha, 17977014
Kuenphel Entertainment, Pamtsho, 17697904
