Thimphu READ Center

25/08/2026

New arrivals at the Center, thanks to Book Aid International.
Stay tuned for updates on more new titles.

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21/08/2026

Yesterday, the Thimphu READ Center brought together representatives from 7 schools and 2 inclusive institutions across Thimphu and Paro for a stakeholders' meeting under the 'Youth Climate Resilience and Green Livelihoods Initiative'. The gathering was a chance to listen closely to understand the real disaster risk reduction (DRR) challenges and capacity gaps facing students, staff, and schools in our communities. These insights will directly shape the training and workshops we design, ensuring every session responds to what participating schools actually need rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Building on this input, we will design and facilitate quarterly capacity-building workshops on DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) over the next 18 months, beginning September 2026. Our goal is to reach at least 6,000 students and 500 community members with improved knowledge and skills in disaster preparedness and mitigation.

We are proud to implement this initiative with the generous support of Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) and ASB South and South-East Asia, as we work hand in hand with schools, teachers, and communities to build a safer, more resilient future for Bhutan.

More updates to come as the project unfolds.

Wangsel Institute for the Deaf
Lower Secondary School
Primary School
Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children & Youth
Changzamtog Middle Secondary School, Thimphu
Chang Rigphel Primary School, ThimThrom (Official)
Zilukha Middle Secondary School
Rinchen Kuenphen Primary School
Dechencholing Higher Secondary School

16/08/2026

This week at the Thimphu READ Center, we read "The Rainbow Fish" for our Thursday goodness read.
We talked about kindness: why it hurts when someone's unkind to us, and how being kind can make both ourselves and others happy. The children shared their thoughts so openly, it reminded us just how naturally kindness comes to them.
To make the lesson stick, we followed up with some arts and crafts, and our little masterpieces now live on our Library wall, a colorful, everyday reminder of what kindness can do.
Every Thursday, we pick a new book that speaks to goodness, kindness, and staying true to ourselves. Here's hoping "The Rainbow Fish" keeps bringing out the kind hearts our kids already have.

08/08/2026

06/08/2026

Today we opened up "A Polar Bear in the Snow" — a simple, beautiful story perfect for our emergent readers. Our senior children read aloud to the little ones, and then the little ones took their turn reading on their own. It's always a joy watching that confidence grow with every page.

Afterwards, we talked about animals that live in the snow and what we love about them and then brought that conversation to life through art. Together, the children created a snowy landscape poster, with every single child adding their own creative touch. It's now proudly on display on our Center wall, a little reminder of the stories and imagination that fill our days.

This is what our afterschool program looks like every day — there's always at least one book read, whether in a group or quietly alone. From there, the children branch off into whatever they need: some finish homework, some prepare for class tests, some read even more, some color and make art, and once the "have-tos" are done, it's free play until pick-up time.

Small moments, big growth. That's a day at READ.


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Book Aid International

04/08/2026

We're excited to launch the 'Youth Climate Resilience & Green Livelihoods Initiative', an 18-month project supported by ASB South and South-East Asia. Through this initiative, the Thimphu READ Center will work with students and young people in Thimphu and Paro to strengthen inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) knowledge, inclusive climate resilience, and inclusive green livelihood opportunities.
By combining hands-on learning, youth resilience bootcamps, and practical green enterprise skills, we're empowering the next generation to understand climate risks, take action, and build a more sustainable future for Bhutan.
Together, we're creating informed, resilient, and empowered youth ready to lead positive change in their communities.

Wangsel Institute for the Deaf
Primary School
Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children & Youth
Rinchen Kuenphen Primary School
Chang Rigphel Primary School, ThimThrom (Official)
Middle Secondary School, Thimphu
Zilukha Middle Secondary School
Dechencholing Higher Secondary School
READ Global

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29/07/2026

Looking for a safe and supportive place for your child after school? The Thimphu READ Center is now accepting registrations for our Afterschool Program for children in Grade 4 and below.
Held Monday to Friday (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM), the program provides homework support, guided reading, and engaging learning activities designed to strengthen children's literacy skills and build confidence.
A special feature of the program is our Personalized Reading Support. During the month of August, every child will undergo an individual reading assessment to identify their current reading level. Based on the assessment, we will provide tailored reading interventions to help improve reading comprehension, fluency, and overall literacy throughout the program.
Only 13 seats are available and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Program Fee: Nu. 1,500 per child per month
Registration opens today.

13/07/2026

Today marked a beautiful milestone in our Kids' Summer Program as we wrapped up our first full week of adventures together. To celebrate everything we have discovered, we gathered for a movie afternoon centered around a story close to all of our hearts.

​We spent the afternoon reflecting on the beauty of our planet and keeping our bright momentum going. We settled in to watch 'The Lorax', a beautiful story that perfectly reminded us just how precious our natural world is. While it was a casual screening, we used the opportunity to dive into meaningful conversations about the vital role trees play in our lives, deforestation, and essential climate facts

The kids were eager to bring the characters to life! We set up a fun Lorax coloring activity for them to enjoy during the film. Afterward, we shifted our gaze from the forest to the deep ocean, watching a few fascinating videos about mysterious deep-sea creatures that sparked absolute wonder. After the screening, the kids enjoyed a little bit of dancing and games together, strengthening the wonderful friendships they've built this week.
​As we waited for pickup time, the kids spent the rest of the afternoon playing board games, reading books, and working on creative arts.

​We are immensely proud of all the wonderful kids who brought their bright smiles, curious minds, and kind hearts to the center this program. They leave today not just as participants, but as true friends, safety champions, and forest heroes who, we hope, will keep carrying these lessons forward in their everyday lives

10/07/2026

We kicked off our 5th day together with a lively recap of yesterday’s earthquake safety lesson. Our morning quiz wasn't just a test of memory, it was a wonderful reminder of how quickly these vital safety habits are becoming second nature to our bright young participants.
​From there, the day turned into a hands-on adventure in quick thinking, creativity, and empathy:
​We set up a fun marketplace roleplay to practice real-world preparation! With 15 different items laid out on a table, the kids were tasked with "purchasing" the 10 most essential pieces for their emergency go-bags. We were so impressed - every single child chose thoughtfully, wisely, and with incredible care.​To test our reflexes in real-time, we added a surprise element to the afternoon. While the kids were completely engrossed in their activities, we blew a whistle to simulate an earthquake. Each time the whistle blew unexpectedly, the room instantly transformed. The kids knew exactly what to do, calmly grabbing their newly packed go-bags and finding a safe place to take cover. Their focus was amazing.

After a cozy snack break, we gathered for a group reading of the beautiful book, Don’t Let Them Disappear'. The kids had so much to share about the endangered animals we met, while absorbing wonderful new facts about the world's magnificent wildlife. Inspired by the story, each child picked their favorite animal from the book and brought it to life. We used recycled toilet paper rolls, colorful papers, glue and strings to create the animals. Through this craft, we explored a deep, meaningful lesson: why every single animal species matters to our planet, and why it is up to us to protect them.​It was a day overflowing with beautiful creativity.
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​We will be wrapping up our wonderful Summer Program on Monday(13th) with a special movie afternoon We can’t wait to watch 'The Lorax' together, and discover its beautiful message about taking care of the nature that takes care of us. See you all on Monday.

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10/07/2026

Day 4 of the Summer program, our focus turned toward another very important theme: understanding earthquakes and practicing how to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

​While many of our participants already knew the basics, earthquakes can often make us feel uneasy, causing us to panic or rush. Yesterday was all about turning that instinct into calm, conscious, and confident action through practice and teamwork.
To practice our response without the fear, we turned our earthquake drill into an engaging, game. The goal was to focus entirely on the core steps: dropping down, taking cover under sturdy protection, and holding on tight. It was a wonderful exercise in quick thinking, body awareness, and listening closely to instructions. Next, we shifted our focus to emergency readiness. Together, we explored why having an emergency bag ready at home is so important. The children worked together to identify and sort essential, life saving items like water, flashlights, and first-aid supplies, learning exactly what belongs in a proper safety kit.

As the afternoon drew to a close, the center filled with its familiar, comforting hum. The children wound down at their own gentle pace before pickup time- some tucked into corners with books, others enjoyed free play with friends, and many spent time on quiet, creative activities.

​Practicing for emergencies helps us replace panic with preparation. We are so proud of how seriously the kids took today's drills while still keeping their spirits high, and full of teamwork.