𝐀 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲- 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐣𝐞𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞

…𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉- 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒉 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚

By Tenzin Euden

In 2004, tragedy struck the serene village of Salamjee in Dagana when a devastating landslide washed away homes and livestock, leaving the land barren and the residents without hope. Despite this devastation, the resilient people of Salamjee were presented with a choice by the government: relocate or resettle. However, they refused to abandon their home. Instead, they came together as a tightly-knit community, pooling their efforts to rebuild their homes with the assistance of the existing Phazhing Zinchok Tshogpa. With crucial funding from the United Nations Development Programme Bhutan (UNDP) project, they diligently utilized resources to aid in their reconstruction efforts.

Karna Bdr Rai, the chairperson, recounted the challenges they faced and their determination not to solely rely on government aid. He stated, “We wanted to invest in ourselves collectively.” United in their resolve, the villagers devised two funds: Dongdey Nagtshel, for emergencies like landslides and forest fires, and Phazhing Zinchok, for housing repairs, aiding those in needs, and supporting education and agriculture.

For nearly 15 years, the Salamjee community has upheld this spirit of self-reliance, demonstrating the power of unity and proactive action in overcoming adversity. Spearheaded by the former Gup, Kedharnath Kumar Rai of Tsangkha Gewog, this initiative has garnered widespread praise and participation, signaling a promising shift towards self-reliance and mutual aid.

With the introduction of this initiative, hope has been reignited. Initially, there were only 18 households, but as time passed, it reached 23 households in the disaster-stricken community. At the core of this initiative lies a simple yet powerful concept: “Collective Savings.” Villagers pool their resources, depositing them into a communal bank account.
Kedharnath Kumar Rai stated that this collective fund serves as a safety net, providing financial support in terms of crises and enabling access to low-interest loans for community members.

Kritiman Rai, currently handling the accounts of Salamjee Thuenlam Dongdey Nagtshel, said, “It was a very good idea for the people to collect money and save it in the bank. We collect Nu. 300 annually from each household. If payment is not made on time, a grace period of a month and fifteen days is given to deposit.”

Kritiman Rai, also one of the key architects of this initiative, emphasized its transformative impact. “Indeed, the benefits are manifold. Not only does this collective effort provide financial security to the community, but it also fosters a sense of unity and cooperation among villagers.”

With shared resources and mutual support, they now function as a cohesive unit, ready to face challenges together. “I am the accountant, and I take charge of collecting money. We collect extra money if any household is absent for community work without a valid reason, a penalty of Nu. 500 is imposed, which has been increased from Nu. 200. As an accountant and as a member of the community, I give my best to treasure this initiative for the long run,” Kritiman Rai added.

He further stated, “The initiative is not confined to financial assistance; but also the empowerment of the community. Through the establishment of clear rules and regulations, the villagers ensure accountability and fair distribution of resources. Moreover, the availability of low–interest loans, with a margin of Nu. 30,000, opens up new opportunities for entrepreneurship and investment within the community.”

Sanjit Kumar Subba, a farmer who operates both a pottery and piggery farm and beneficiary of the initiative, emphasized the significant impact of the initiative on their livelihood. He said, “This initiative has brought numerous benefits, enabling us to engage in business activities that generate income. This income, in turn, fulfills various needs such as purchasing essential items like books for children’s education and many more. Over the 15 years, this initiative has proven invaluable, providing a stable foundation for our future generations.”

The community relies on community savings for financing their businesses, which offers lower interest rates over financial institutions with hassle-free and without collateral at the rate of 0.5 percent, fostering a sense of collective support. Additionally, this community-based approach reduces reliance on governmental assistance during natural disasters like floods or landslides. Instead, they can utilize funds from their communal bank, thereby alleviating pressure on government resources. Sanjit Kumar Subba said, “The flexibility and immediacy of accessing funds through this initiative are crucial, particularly during emergencies. By having immediate access to loans, they can swiftly respond to unforeseen circumstances, ensuring the continuity of their livelihoods and addressing urgent needs effectively.”

Neuli Tshering, the current Gup of Tsangkha Gewog, said, “This approach, characterized by pooling money and saving for future needs, exemplifies a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration among residents. The significance of this method is not only for fostering a sense of solidarity but also for its practical benefits. Financial independence enables them to effectively address challenges and emergencies as they arise, without depending solely on external assistance.” As a village headman, he is committed to promoting similar initiatives across other chiwogs within the region.

Recognizing the numerous benefits associated with this approach, he seeks to advocate for its adoption as a means of enhancing the resilience and self-sufficiency of the community as a whole.
As Salamjee village serves as a shining example of grassroots initiative and collective action, its success resonates beyond its borders. It shows the potential of communities to drive positive change from within, leveraging their strengths and resources to build a brighter future for all. The solidarity and resilience displayed by the villagers of Salamjee stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration for communities everywhere.