𝟑𝟏 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

…𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒄𝒐-𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒗𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔

By Tshering Penjor

Lumang Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag is witnessing a significant rural development intervention with the construction of 31 houses for vulnerable households under a holistic support initiative implemented by the Tarayana Foundation, with funding assistance from the Government of India through the Royal Government.
Lumang was identified as one of the beneficiary sites based on findings from the 2017 Small-Area Poverty Mapping Report by the World Bank, which estimated the gewog’s poverty rate at 11.6 percent. The report further indicated that 28.3 percent of households were classified as poor based on consumption levels and welfare indicators. Local leaders say these figures reflect longstanding structural challenges, including limited arable land, scattered settlements, and restricted income opportunities.

The housing initiative forms part of Tarayana Foundation’s broader programme titled “Holistic Community Development with a Focus on Enhancing Housing Conditions, Improving Nutrition, and Economic Security to Strengthen Social Protection in Rural Areas.” The project aims to address multiple dimensions of poverty through integrated support rather than isolated interventions.

Sangay Gyeltshen, Gup of Lumang Gewog, said the 31 beneficiary households were identified following extensive consultations and detailed household assessments conducted toward the end of last year.
“We selected them by evaluating their houses and living standards,” the Gup said. “Most of the beneficiaries are critically poor families who have not been able to repair or rebuild homes inherited from their grandparents because of financial hardship.”

According to the Gup, the selection process involved reviewing the physical condition of houses, household income levels, and overall vulnerability. He emphasized that transparency and community participation were prioritized to ensure fairness.
Among the beneficiaries is 63-year-old Cheten Tshering, who said the housing support has brought renewed hope to his family.
He said, “I am no longer able to contribute much to the workforce due to my age but my children will be helping in building the house. I am very grateful for this support and hope the project will be completed soon, as we do not have a proper home.”

Cheten Tshering said his current house has deteriorated over the years, and financial constraints had made it difficult for the family to undertake major repairs. He added that the new house would provide improved safety and dignity for his family.
The Gewog Administration is supporting the initiative by facilitating permits for timber and boulders required for construction, while Tarayana Foundation is providing construction materials. Beneficiaries are contributing labour wherever possible, reflecting a shared responsibility model.

A common prefabrication unit, along with a bamboo and timber treatment chamber, has already been completed at Tshogoenpa village. The facility will serve as a central hub for preparing treated and standardized materials for the construction of the 31 houses.
According to Tarayana Foundation, the prefabrication approach is expected to speed up construction, reduce overall costs, and ensure better quality control and durability of materials. It also promotes the use of locally available and sustainable resources such as bamboo and timber, while creating opportunities for local skill development.
Currently, beneficiaries are in the process of collecting materials, and some households have already begun laying foundations. The Gup said that, depending on weather conditions and logistical factors, construction is expected to be completed within a year.

“Improving nutrition is key to better health and economic well-being,” the Gup said.
“Access to nutritious food reduces the risk of disease and increases productivity. Awareness and practical knowledge of healthy eating habits will benefit families in the long run.”
In line with this objective, Tarayana Foundation recently conducted hands-on cultivation training for residents from five chiwogs under Lumang Gewog. Led by Senior Field Officer Sonam Jamtsho, the training engaged more than 100 participants and focused on practical techniques to improve crop production, kitchen gardening, and food self-sufficiency.

Complementing the housing and nutrition initiatives is a community-focused structure donated by the Tarayana Foundation to promote locally made products. The Lumang Gewog Administration welcomed the facility, describing it as a meaningful contribution to rural economic development.
According to the Lumang Gewog Administration, encouraging local production and marketing can help strengthen livelihoods, reduce dependence on external goods, and foster a sense of ownership and pride within the community.
One innovative component under consideration is the production of eco-friendly leaf plates made from fig tree leaves. The initiative is expected to reduce reliance on imported plastic plates while promoting biodegradable alternatives that are environmentally sustainable. Local leaders say the effort has the potential to generate supplementary income for households, especially women and youth, while supporting conservation efforts.

Tshogpa Langa Tshering said the foundation’s involvement has already brought positive changes to the gewog.
“Tarayana Foundation has helped our gewog a lot. Many poor people are getting direct benefits from this housing project and other support activities,” he said. “We hope that with continued support and active community participation, poverty in our village will gradually be resolved.”
Lumang Gewog spans 102.9 square kilometers and consists of six chiwogs, with 750 households and a population of 6,514. Forest cover accounts for 85 percent of the land area, limiting agricultural expansion and economic diversification.

Although the Gewog Centre is located at Kurchelu village under Kharphu Chiwog, the gewog retains the name Lumang, which traces back to Lumang Nangtsahng, located about 10 kilometers away. Local lore associates the name with a rock believed to symbolize serpents blessing the community with prosperity and good harvests.
The main commercial hub under the gewog is Wamrong, which falls under Kheshing Chiwog. Despite its cultural heritage and natural resources, Lumang continues to face socio-economic challenges, particularly in addressing poverty, housing vulnerability, and limited employment opportunities.

Lumang Gewog Administration says what distinguishes the Lumang initiative is its coordinated and community-centered approach. Extensive consultations, joint planning, and collaboration between local authorities and development partners have shaped the implementation process.
For families who have lived for generations in deteriorating houses, the promise of safe and durable shelter represents more than improved infrastructure; it reflects dignity, stability, and renewed hope. Combined with training in agriculture, promotion of local enterprises, and environmental initiatives, the project seeks to create long-term resilience rather than short-term relief.

As construction progresses and livelihood activities expand, Lumang Gewog’s integrated development model demonstrates how targeted interventions grounded in data and strengthened by local participation can contribute to improved well-being and economic security in rural communities.