𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡

…𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

After successfully completing his nationwide Say No to Divorce journey, which concluded in Lingzhi Gewog, Gasa Dzongkhag, social activist Tashi Dhendup, popularly known as Acho Tashi, has embarked on a new mission with his wife, Tshering Pelden. On September 13, 2025, the couple officially launched a cleaning service in Wangduephodrang with the vision of creating sustainable employment and promoting cleaner communities.

The initiative is financially supported by Ugyen Tshering, a resident of Trashigang Dzongkhag living in Australia. His contribution enabled the establishment of the Domestic Human Resources Services (DHRS) group, under which the cleaning service operates. The primary focus is to provide meaningful work opportunities to single parents, divorced women, and youth who struggle to secure stable employment. Through the service, participants are now able to earn a livelihood while contributing positively to their community.

Currently, several women who were previously struggling due to family challenges are engaged in the service. They are involved in cleaning public spaces, buildings, and drainage systems, helping to keep the town environment clean and welcoming. The initiative has also attracted youth who are eager to contribute to community well-being while earning an income. The couple emphasized that the larger goal of the cleaning service is town beautification across the country. By starting in Wangduephodrang, they hope to inspire other dzongkhags to adopt similar initiatives, ensuring that waste management and sustainable employment go hand in hand. They also plan to extend their services to other dzongkhags. If successful, the program could pave the way for a nationwide movement towards cleaner, more sustainable communities.

Acho Tashi shared that contributions made online do not bring lasting benefits to communities. “Hard work and practical initiatives can provide individuals with a reliable source of income and help them live more sustainably,” he said. With this vision, Tashi and his wife Tshering Pelden have started a cleaning service that focuses particularly on drainage systems. He explained that while most residents take care of their own compounds, very few pay attention to drains, which are often left clogged and neglected. “People keep their surroundings neat, but drainage systems are overlooked, and that is where most of the waste accumulates,” he said.

The team currently offers cleaning services at a rate of Nu 2,000 per building, carrying out the work eight times a month. To ensure efficiency, they are using modern cleaning equipment and technologies. At present, 21 buildings have registered for their services, while they are also providing free cleaning in specific town areas where pillars are covered with lime.

Beyond cleaning, the initiative has also become a platform for employment. The couple is engaging single parents, divorced women, and youth in the work. Tashi noted that women, in particular, tend to be more skilled in cleaning tasks because of their prior experience at home. “They do not face much difficulty in carrying out the work,” he said. By turning what was once a neglected chore into an organized service, the initiative is not only improving public hygiene but also creating sustainable job opportunities for those in need. The couple hopes their effort will inspire others to take up similar ventures, proving that hard work can bring long-term benefits for both individuals and the community.

Ugyen Tshering, who has been residing in Australia for the past eleven years, has come forward to support the community cleaning initiative in Bhutan. He stated that his decision to fund the services was inspired by the journey of Say No to Divorce, led by Tashi Dhendup, who traveled all the gewogs without financial support to promote family well-being and social harmony. Ugyen Tshering said that during his years abroad, he observed that nearly 80 percent of the population in other countries are actively engaged in cleaning services to maintain hygiene and safeguard their environment. This observation motivated him to extend similar support to Bhutan, believing that the same practice could help protect the nation’s pristine environment.

“As a concerned Bhutanese, I fear that if we fail to take responsibility, one day our country could sink under the weight of unmanaged waste,” he shared. He emphasized that the initiative is not only about keeping public spaces clean but also about preventing diseases caused by waste accumulation and creating employment opportunities for youth. The initiative aims to inspire a cultural shift in waste management and cleanliness across the country, encouraging communities to value sustainable practices while addressing two major challenges: environmental degradation and unemployment.

Tashi Dorji, the owner of a building in Wangdue, expressed his appreciation for the newly introduced cleaning services that make use of modern equipment. He shared that the initiative has brought great relief to building owners like him who previously struggled to maintain cleanliness on their own. “Earlier, we had to do all the cleaning by ourselves, which was time-consuming and difficult to manage along with our other work. Now, with the cleaning services, the work has become much faster and easier,” Tashi Dorji said. According to him, even stubborn stains that were once hard to remove are now cleaned effectively. He noted that the surroundings of his building now appear cleaner and more hygienic than before. Residents in the area have also welcomed the service, saying it not only saves time but also ensures that their buildings and surroundings remain in better condition. Their work is seen as a step forward in promoting proper waste management and urban cleanliness in Wangdue.

Sonam Dema, a single mother from Wangdue, life has been filled with challenges since her divorce nine years ago. Left to raise two children on her own, she struggled to balance household responsibilities with the pressing worry of providing for her family. Her difficulties were further compounded as one of her children continues to require regular medical care and treatment. “I was confused and deeply worried about how I could raise my children all by myself. There were days when I felt lost,” she shared. Her life, however, has taken a hopeful turn after learning about the cleaning service initiative started by Tshering Pelden and her husband in Wangdue. With their guidance, Sonam was able to register for the work, securing a monthly salary of Nu 15,000.

For Sonam, this opportunity is nothing short of life-changing. The income not only helps her manage her children’s daily needs but also ensures that she can cover the medical expenses of her younger child. “This work means everything to me. It is not just a job, but a chance to stand on my own feet and give my children a better future,” she shared.

The cleaning work, which employs modern equipment and aims to keep the community clean and safe, has opened doors for individuals like Sonam who are in need of both financial stability and dignity of work. Her story reflects the broader impact of such projects in rural Bhutan, where sustainable employment opportunities can transform lives. Sonam’s journey serves as an inspiration, a reminder that with community support and determination, even the most difficult challenges can be overcome.

Tshering Pelden shared that their initiative will not be limited to cleaning services alone. In the future, the group plans to extend into plumbing, electrical work, and other essential skills that are in demand across communities. At present, Tshering Pelden is serving as a bridge between job seekers and employers without charging any fees. She expressed that her main focus is to create opportunities for single parents and young people who could not continue their education due to various challenges. She added that many youths remain unemployed not because they lack willingness to work, but because they do not have access to proper platforms or connections to find jobs. By connecting them to potential employers, she hopes to reduce unemployment while also ensuring that families, particularly single parents, can sustain themselves with stable incomes.

The initiative, which began with a focus on cleaning, has already drawn attention for providing both employment and dignity of work. With future expansion into skilled trades such as plumbing and electrical services, Tshering Pelden envisions a platform that will not only offer jobs but also help youth and parents learn sustainable skills for long-term livelihood. Her efforts reflect a growing need in Bhutan for community-driven solutions that create employment, reduce dependency, and empower those facing the toughest challenges in society.

Ugyen Tshering and Acho Tashi expressed concern that cleaning services are often looked down upon in Bhutan, despite their importance for community well-being. They emphasized that it is crucial to keep in mind that maintaining a clean and healthy environment is a shared responsibility, not a shameful task. The two highlighted how many Bhutanese youths studying abroad engage in cleaning jobs to support themselves financially. Such experiences not only teach them the dignity of labor but also equip them with modern cleaning practices and techniques. They shared their hope that once these youths return home after completing their studies, they will bring back the knowledge and work culture that can help in keeping Bhutan evergreen for generations to come.

At present, their cleaning services are focused mainly in Paro, Punakha, and Wangduephodrang. However, they expressed their willingness to expand into other dzongkhags if there is adequate support and encouragement from the government. According to them, a partnership with relevant authorities could create sustainable jobs for many youths while addressing environmental challenges in urban and rural areas alike.

They further stressed that recognizing cleaning as valuable work is essential for changing public perception. What may seem like a simple task is, in reality, a vital contribution to community health, environmental preservation, and the country’s overall image. By giving dignity to cleaning services, Bhutanese society can encourage young people to take pride in contributing to the nation’s cleanliness and sustainability.