How did the idea of Swiss Physio Bhutan arise?

Visiting the ABS in Thimphu in October 2023 (Leanna Schoch, Dasho Kunzang N Tsering (executive director of ABS), Eleanor Schoch, Pelden Dorji)

​Since studying physiotherapy, I knew that in the next few years I would love to do a year or so of volunteering as a physiotherapist in another country, but I didn't know yet which country it would be. 

In Autumn 2023 I was lucky to be able to visit Bhutan, the country of happiness, with my mother.  It had been her dream for 30 years to visit this unique country after hearing a presentation about Swiss doctors working there, which impressed her. During our visit I realised that Bhutan would be the country where I would love to do volunteering work, as I was so fascinated by the unique culture and how open hearted the people are. 
During the holiday in Bhutan, we asked our guide if he could organise a visit to the Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) who has a day centre for children with diverse abilities. My mother and I were very interested in having an insight into this kind of work here, as I work as a physiotherapist in a foundation for children and adults with diverse abilities and my mother works as an early special needs educator. So, ABS is exactly in our fields of work. When we were at ABS, I was impressed by the staff's benevolence towards the children. Even though this is a newer field, and they have very restricted resources they have achieved so much and try to makethe best out of difficult situations. 
This inspired me to want to come back to ABS to do a year of volunteering there. Luckily, during our visit we could speak to ABS' executive director Dasho Kunzang N Tsering and I asked about the possibility of volunteering as a physiotherapist with ABS. I could see what the potential for the children would be if physiotherapy could be integrated in their daily lives at home and in the ABS centre, as in general, physiotherapy services are undersupplied. Currently there are only roughly 50 physiotherapists, mainly general practitioners, in the whole country for a population of about 800'000 people!  This makes it even harder for children with diverse abilities to get specialised physiotherapy.

​Since visiting ABS I have stayed in contact with the executive director and started looking into how to make the volunteering project reality.