Agency: The Bhutan Stroke Foundation, with support from YELP and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), has initiated a pilot program to support nine women stroke survivors.
These women, aged between 30 and 45 years, have been under the foundation’s social support system for more than two to three years.
According to the CEO of the Bhutan Stroke Foundation, Dawa Tshering, the initiative aims to help the women find a form of livelihood after stroke. He said, “This group of women is part of our longterm support network. Now, through this pilot initiative we are working with the ministry to help them find a meaningful livelihood after stroke.”
“It is a way to support their economic and social reintegration. If this goes well, there are many more such cases across the country that can be addressed,” he added.
He said that many stroke patients need home-based care, but the foundation faces challenges due to limited funding and resources.
The nine women involved in this pilot program have recovered about 80 to 90 percent of their abilities.
Therefore, the foundation in collaboration with MoESD is providing them with a safe platform and social support to help empower them socially and economically.
The nine stroke survivors will be given the opportunity to work primarily at a bakery, allowing them to develop new skills and regain financial independence.
In addition to bakery work, they will also engage in gardening, selling flower pots as a supplementary activity.