Choki Traditional Art School

Location:	Thimphu, Bhutan
Category:	Education
Published:	21 August 2007
Progress:	67% funded
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Rating:	47 Ratings

Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS) was established in 1999 with the dual objectives of educating those children who could not continue their formal education due to both financial and social reasons and to contribute to the preservation and promotion of the unique cultural heritage of Bhutan. It is a private not-for-profit institute which supports the disadvantaged and under privileged youth of Bhutan through self-sustaining program on skills development in the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

The founder of the project is Dasho Choki Dorji. It was during his time that Dasho started the first painting school in Bhutan with the approval from Her Royal Highness Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, then representative of His Majesty in the Ministry of Development in early 1970s.

The school offers general courses in traditional drawing, painting, sculpturing and wood carving. After 2nd year, students are given the option to pursue specialized courses in Thanka ( scroll, Debri painting (Fresco) and Patra (wood carving) based on their interest and aptitude. The full course is for six years. Both – theory and practical lessons – are properly integrated to develop the necessary skills and aptitude. The school also provides classes in basic English, maths and Dzongkha.

Other co-curricular activities such as games and sports, cultural activities, mask dances, Driglam Namzha (code of etiquettes) and SUPW (Socially useful & Productive Works) form an integral parts of the school program.

Sustaining the school is our greatest challenge. The internal fund generated by the school through its sale of artifacts produced by our student's during practical is inadequate to cover the expenditure of the school. The fund gap which the school could not generate is being provided by Himalayan Youth Foundation (HYF) and few individual donors through sponsorships.

Incomplete (3):

• Solar water heating equipments

  15% funded

  Donate

  • Redeem Voucher
  1380 Euro. • Still needed: 1164 Euro • Published 06 October 2009
  We need a solar water heating equipments for our girls for shower. The present tap water is very cold. We will very much appreciate any support towards this.

• Sponsorship

  4% funded

  Donate

  • Redeem Voucher
  450 Euro. • Still needed: 430 Euro • Published 16 October 2009
  The sponsorship fee for one student for a year is Euro 450 which will include lodging, food and tuition.

• Solar water heating equipments for boys

  0% funded

  Donate

  • Redeem Voucher
  1380 Euro. • Still needed: 1380 Euro • Published 06 October 2009
  We need a solar water heating equipments for our Boys for shower. The present tap water is very cold throughout the year. We will very much appreciate any support towards.

Completed (15):

• 2 guitars

  100% funded
  One for 94 Euro. • Published 02 October 2007
  We need two guitars

English (16):

S. Choki

News update

by S. Choki, posted about 1 month ago

 

Dear friends,

I would like to inform you we have been able to conduct our programs for 2009 very effectively and also have been able to get supports from our well wishers for the development of infrastructure facilities.

This year 9 students hav

...

…more

Supporters (42):

• 
  M. Lohmann
• 
  Viola. F.
• 
  Joana B.
• 
  Danilo K.
• 
  M. Schulze
• 
  N. Kriesel
• 
  M. Schön

Advocates (4):

• 

  Mr. Wallace M.

  32/M • Nairobi, Kenya

  It's in did a great work done and you deserve praise.

Visitors (3):

• 

  Julia T.

  29/F • Frankfurt, Germany

  In october 08 I visited the Choki Traditional Art School near Thimphu. I was really impressed. Sonam Choki the director of the school is such a great calm and friendly person, perfect for young students in my opinion. The school has trained more than 100 youths from all part of Bhutan, who were unable to obtain regular education due to social and financial difficulties. The school offers different courses in traditional drawing, painting, sculpturing and wood carvings. The school also provides basic knowledge in english, maths etc. Since 2006 the school offers complete free education with lodging and food opportunities. The future plans now are to include also female students (a new house specially for girls is building up at the moment), improve the quality of arts and products and providing other relevant courses and to give more training opportunities. It was a great experience for me to see this project and its development. Thank you Sonam Choki, you do a very good job and good luck for the future. Julia Triebold

• 

  Julia T.
  29/F
  Frankfurt, Germany
  by Julia T., asked on 25 August 2008 at 12:19 PM
  Hello Sonam Choki, my girlfriend Silke and me, will visit Bhutan in october from 5th until 13th. We have booked a trekking with Karma Tenzin, maybe you know him ? During this time we will like to visit your school. Is ist possible to come every day, spontanous ? What is better for you ? For us it is a bit difficult to give you a date at the moment, because we don´t know yet, where we will stay exactly... I´m looking forward to see you soon, wishing you all the best. Greetings from Germany Julia Triebold