Two strong and long-established institutions

My volunteer project wouldn't be possible without the close support and trust that two long established institutions have offered me: the Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) and the Society Switzerland-Bhutan (SSB). Without these two strong partners, I wouldn't have known where to even begin. While the ABS is my host for my volunteer work, the SSB provides me with valuable know-how and will be one of the major donors itself.

Ability Bhutan Society (ABS)

Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) is a Bhutanese public benefit organisation for Children with diverse abilities in the recognition that they have special needs. In Bhutan the term "diverse ability" is often used whereas in Switzerland we tend to use the term "disability". I like the Bhutanese style as it focusses on the individual abilities of children and not on their deficiencies.

ABS was inaugurated by Her Majesty Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, The Royal Patron of ABS, on sixth of April 2012.
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The focus of the society is on enhancing the quality of life of children and teenagers with diverse abilities and to support their families through different key programs. ​

The organisational objectives of the ABS are:
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1. Create a purpose-built National Facility with Regional Level Care Centers staffed with highly qualified care providers;
2. Advocate inclusion of persons living with diverse abilities in the Bhutanese Society;
3. Ensure accessibility to public facilities and services in society to widen the opportunities for participation of persons living with moderate to severe diverse abilities  to their fullest potential;
4. Develop the professional skills of ABS’ social workers through training, exchange programmes and educational developments;
5. Support care givers and families of persons living with moderate to severe diverse abilities through educational and psycho-social support;
6. Create a network with sister organizations for cooperation and sharing of experiences; 
7. Ensure that ABS has sustainable funding and appropriate organisational skills at all levels.

For further information, please visit the homepage of the Ability Bhutan Society.

Society Switzerland-Bhutan SSB​

Building on the deep friendship and enduring partnership between Switzerland and Bhutan, the Society Switzerland-Bhutan (SSB) was founded in 2000 as a Swiss association with a mission to encourage social, charitable, ecological, cultural and other philanthropic projects.

SSB works hand-in-hand with people on the ground in Bhutan, particularly with its local sister organisation Bhutan-Switzerland Society (BSS).

The society’s main objectives are:

• Strengthening civil society and market-oriented small-scale entrepreneurship.
• Promoting knowledge transfer and mutual understanding in both countries.
• SSB and BSS are competent and acknowledged promoters of mutual values.

Over the years a strong partnership has evolved to support these challenging objectives. It is the close cooperation with the Bhutan Switzerland Society, based in the Bhutaneses capital Thimphu, which helps the SSB to identify, evaluate, plan, implement and monitor the activities and projects in Bhutan. The development of this partnership is the strategic focal point of the SSB for the coming years.

All of their activities are funded by their more than 260 members whereas larger programs and projects are financed by private and public donors.

SSB is exempted from tax in Switzerland.

For more information, please visit the homepage of the Society Switzerland-Bhutan.