Community: Vehicle dealer Zimdra donated a van worth Nu 411,280 to RENEW, the organisation concerned with the protection and education of women and girls, yesterday.

The van, which has been modified to have seven seats, was handed over by Zimdra marketing director, Zimbiri.

The marketing director said that the chairman of Zimdra, Ugen Tshechup Dorji, wanted to help RENEW after hearing that the NGO was in need of a vehicle.

“It’s really wonderful that we’re able to help, it’s such a privilege,” said Zimbiri. When asked if Zimdra would provide further support to RENEW, Zimbiri said “I hope so, I think that if we can help in anyway, definitely we will.”

The NGO’s executive director, Tandin Wangmo, said that the van will be used to transport women and children between its Gawailing Happy Home shelter located in Zilukha and Thimphu city.

She pointed out that the NGO periodically gets requests for emergency shelter for women and children requiring them to be transported there and to bring them back to the city for counselling sessions, the hospital for medical treatment, or the police for criminal cases.

“So this van is going to be very beneficial,” she said.

RENEW is currently equipped with three donated vehicles, however, one is not in working condition. “So we’re really struggling with the lack of vehicles,” Tandin Wangmo said, adding that staff usually have been transporting clients in their own private vehicles.

Gyalsten K Dorji