Bhutan 2020 safe water project was initiated in 2018 by Disaster Aid Australia as the initial phase of a long-term objective to supply water to every school in Bhutan. Bhutan has a total population of 750,000 people, of which approximately 120,000 are school-aged children, and 424 public schools across the country. Along with the Rotary Club of Thimphu, the Bhutan Ministry of Education and SkyJuice Foundation, Bhutan 2020 delivered SkyHydrant safe water installations to 136 of the 424 schools.
Bhutan 2020: A Success Story Despite Challenges
The Bhutan 2020 project faced a significant setback due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the rollout of SkyHydrant units by approximately 24 months. However, the resilience and dedication of all involved ensured that Bhutan 2020 was successfully completed in late 2023.
The completion of Bhutan 2020 has been nothing short of transformative. The SkyHydrants installed in 136 schools nationwide have dramatically improved student health and school attendance. Bhutan 2020 has reached approximately 80% of the public school population, providing them safe drinking water and highlighting the importance of clean water in educational settings.
Bhutan 2030: Scaling Up the Vision
Building on the success of Bhutan 2020, the SkyJuice Foundation, Disaster Aid, and Rotary are now focusing on the next phase: Bhutan 2030. This ambitious project aims to extend safe water coverage to all 424 public schools in Bhutan by 2030. The discussions about extending the program are in progress and planned to be finalised in the near future.
The Bhutan 2020 project has already profoundly impacted the lives of tens of thousands of Bhutanese children and their communities. The Bhutan Department of Education has been a champion and a major supporter of this initiative, recognising its potential to drive positive change across the country. If this is possible in Bhutan, why not every child everywhere?
SkyHydrant filter installation at the Drukgyel Lower Secondary School.
The school’s existing water source came from a branch of a stream about 5 km away. The water source was never safe or secure, especially during the monsoon when it became muddy. The SkyHydrant filter pictured was installed on June 23, 2021.
The school community of 800 students and 50 staff now enjoy reliable and consistent access to safe drinking water.
Changangkha Middle Secondary School in Thimpu. The Skyhydrant installation here provides safe water to approximately 500 students.
Disaster Aid Australia has compiled a video of Bhutan 2020 project. You can watch the whole video in their Youtube channel.
