HUMANS OF BHUTAN

Capturing the magic and charm of The Land of the Thunder Dragon, one person at a time. (By the Raffles Humanities Programme) Instagram / Facebook

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"Everyday, I pray for good health for my family. It is the most important thing you can have in life."

Photo credits: Gabriel Ng

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"Is this bicycle a gift from someone?" "Yes, from my parents. Yellow and green are my favourite colours! I ride this bicycle everywhere, even to school."

Photo credits: Jovi Tan

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"Bhutan is known for being a relatively gender-equal society. But reputation isn't what we're aiming for: it's about breaking down the barriers and prejudices to women taking a greater role in our politics, or giving more rural-dwelling women the freedom to choose their career paths. What complicates this is how different parts of Bhutan are developing at vastly different rates. It's really difficult to ensure that awareness of women's rights improves consistently throughout the country."

Photo credits: Lai Yan

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"Each time we need more materials, we have to carry them up the hill to this ridge. It takes about 2 hours to get to this monastery from the radio tower, so it is a tough job." "What made you take up construction?" "It pays better. (laughs) My father worked in construction too. When I was younger, he would bring me around the town and point out all the buildings, roads and dzongs he had built. I was in awe of how hard he worked to put me through college. One day, I hope to do the same for my own children."

Photo credits: Sean Ong

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"Weaving teaches me to be patient. It takes 2 days to make a single scarf, and I have been working on this for about a day now."

Photo credits: Isaac Leong

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"What is the greatest thing Buddhism has taught you?" "Being compassionate - suffering can happen to anyone and we must be prepared for it to happen to us." Photo credits: Isaac Leong

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"I like watching Korean dramas! Do you listen to pop? I listen to artistes like Taylor Swift!" Photo credits: Isaac Leong

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"Are you copying your friend's homework?" The boy smiles sheepishly.

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This little boy may appear innocent, but he has a penchant for pulling people's cheeks! Photo credits: Christine Saw

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“Can i try your glasses?” This little girl was very intrigued by my spectacles and kept putting them on. She insisted I took a picture of her so she could see what she looked like with specs!

Photo credits: Christine Saw

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"Can you do this?"

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"How do you feel about dancing in the cold?" "I can somehow relate to this poem: 'I'm on fire, running with the flame, the passion touching people, letting them catch the fire, catch your Love. It never fades away, this passion deep in me, it'll burn till the end of day. But it will never melt the cold, the ice queen, And her frozen glare buried deep deep down in me.'" Photo credits: Hugo Tay

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The son of the owner of the small cafe next to the beer factory we visited. He popped his head in between our chairs and smiled at us cheekily!

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"I used to be a tour guide, up till a few years ago when I decided to set up this museum with some of my friends. The job is tough - I have to travel all over Bhutan to buy the various foods and snacks unique to the different regions. There also aren't many tourists who visit us. But owning my own business has taught me many important lessons." "What advice do you have?" "Young people nowadays prefer not to set up their own business, but they must learn to be independent. Learn to pursue your own passion, and stand on your own feet, then you will achieve success." Photo credits: Samantha Balraja

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"What do you like to do in your free time?" "I like to play with my cousins. We play with toy airplanes and bulldozers. Haha I like to disturb my mom when we play, but she calls me a naughty boy!" Photo credits: Isaac Leong

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Seen on the way to the Wangditse Monastery: a young child strapped onto his mother’s back. Photo credits: Samantha Balraja

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This little girl from the daycare centre we visited was all smiles as she held up her polaroids. Photo credits: Samantha Balraja