Ragaytung Primary School in Bhutan did not have a proper playground. The ground was washed away by heavy rains, disappointing the students. The students discussed ideas to fix the problem, such as fundraising or asking parents for help. They decided to ask their parents to help fill the washed away portion with soil in bags. On a Saturday, the parents gathered and worked with the students to refill the ground. By evening, the playground was restored to its normal shape, and the students were happy to play there again.

1. Ragaytung Primary School
Chhukha, Bhutan

2. “Making Difference” Project
Ragaytung Primary School
Presents

3. The year old school did not have proper playground. Students and the enthusiastic
community were eagerly waiting for the ground to be in proper shape.
Interestingly after much waiting, the Chhukha National Council agreed to fund the
construction of the playground. Unfortunately, the heavy downpour washed the
portion of the ground away. It was really a big natural blow to the students. It
killed the sentiments of the enthusiastic players.“What can we do”? asked Bijay
Rai in shocking expression.

4. Story continues!
Bimla Rai , sitting nearby the washed away portion gave energetic
thought. “I got an idea”, she said. Then, the curious face of Roji Rai
turned to Bimla and asked, “What is that? Can you share with us”? “I
think we should ask our teachers to help in writing fund proposal to the
factories in Pasakha”, shared Bimla. “That seems good idea”,
recommended Sanja Maya Rai. Bijay and Roji were reluctant to say yes.
“Isn’t it time consuming”? asked Bijay. “Why don’t we meet with other
school mates? They must be having something to share”, suggested Roji.
They made a point to meet with other students on the following day.
The next day, they all met in one classroom. All of them actively
participated to make the plan successful. While discussing, some of them
suggested organizing fund raising activities such as cultural show and
selling lottery. A group of students suggested another point. “Why
don’t we fill up the washed away portion by ourselves?” Only few agreed.
However, many were reluctant. They did not agree because most of the
students are small. It would rather take their time.

5. Bijay Rai went outside to take a glass of water. Suddenly, an idea struck in his
mind. He quickly ran into the class and asked, “Friends, isn’t it good for us to
seek help from our parents one day?” “We all can work together to fill up the
washed away portion in one day”. He added. All of them agreed to what Bijay
said. They all made a point to seek help from their parents to fill up the portion
with soil filled in sacks. They all agreed to have the work done on one of the
Saturdays.
All students shared the problems back at home. Some of them shared while
having meals, watching television and going for a walk. They all asked their
parents to help solve the problem.
Interestingly, all parents agreed. On 18th August 2012, all the parents
gathered at around 8:15am. They started filling up the portion with the soil
nearby. Students were also involved in between. Finally towards evening, the
ground returned to its normal shape. All were smiling at each other for their
work done.
Students are now in the full swing showing their talents in the new play field.
‘A wise idea can change one’s life’.

6. FEEL
Of many problems
emerging some urgent
problems are:
-water shortage
-difficult terrain
-speaking second
language.
- Playground.

7. THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE-
“THE ERODED PLAYGROUND”

8. IMAGINE
To solve the
problem we
imagined to:
-organize cultural
show to
raise fund for
rebuilding it.
-request our parents to
fill up the washed away
portion.
-asking donations

9. DO
Our parents agreed to help in
filling up the washed away
portion. In between we also
joined them to bring our
playground back to normal.

10. Finally, the ground regained its orginality. Everyone worn a
smile on their faces to celebrate the success story.

11. sharing
Upon successful completion
of “FEEL”,“IMAGINE”, and
"DO”,we presented our
findings to the community
and to other schools. The
school visited wereTashilhakha
and Alaykha Primary School
who share the same sorry
story.

12. Printed
feeling

13. A new idea being born

14. EFFECT With the playground ready, the life of enthusiastic
players have changed drastically. Students are now
in the full swing showing their talents in the play
field.