THINLEY CHODEN
COUNTRY DIRECTOR, READ BHUTAN
Context
Bhutan is mainly a rural society with a strong oral tradition. Reading and writing are not a priority to most Bhutanese, especially those in rural villages. However, as the country opens and becomes a player on the world stage, its populace must become educated so that the country can keep pace with the rest of the world. Thinley saw the need to promote literacy in Bhutan, and despite the doubts she encountered, she never considered failure in her quest to improve literacy and education. She knew she would face challenges, but she also knew she would find a way to succeed. Innovation As the country director of READ Bhutan, Thinley established the organization and grew the operation from a one-person office to a fully staffed office of seven. She worked tirelessly to promote the vision of READ Bhutan in a country where oral traditions are highly valued. Despite the odds she faced and the doubts expressed by local leaders, in 2010, Thinley opened the country’s first community library in partnership with the local villagers. READ libraries are not only places that lends books. They are centers for development and empowerment. Each center is financially supported by a sustaining enterprise that is created in collaboration with the local villagers, making the center truly owned by the community. The villagers have access to thousands of books as well as literacy programs. They also have access to a variety of community development programs created to suit the needs of the local community. READ libraries are not libraries in the traditional sense. They are vibrant centers of learning, teaching, capacity building, and community development. Impact Since READ Bhutan’s inception in 2008, Thinley has led the organization to establish five READ centers, with many more on the horizon. In total, 34,507 villagers have access to the READ Bhutan centers and directly benefit from the resources and programs available. The values of reading and writing are spreading, along with access to resources and programs that will help to uplift the communities where READ centers are located. Programs offered by READ Bhutan centers include early childhood development, information communications technology, literacy, environmental sustainability, neo-literate education, and women’s empowerment. With the success of the current READ centers, the doubting and discouraging attitudes Thinley faced when she first started her journey, have changed. Thinley has proven that rural community members have a desire to increase literacy and uplift their communities through education. Skills Thinley’s skills in observing, questioning, networking and not fearing failure make her the innovative force behind the accomplishments of READ Bhutan. Thinley never assumed to know what communities needed. She kept her eyes and ears open to see and hear life around her. She asked parents, teachers, children, and local leaders what they needed and wanted to improve their communities. She shared her vision of libraries as centers for education and community development, but never pushed the villagers to accept her vision. Ideas were shared and eventually, it was the communities who asked Thinley to help them build libraries. Thinley makes sure that her team does not adopt a one-size fits all attitude. She built a culture of observation and questioning in READ Bhutan’s processes. For example, instead of implementing a standardized curriculum for reading created by the READ Global office, Thinley and her team took time to learn about how local children approach reading and writing. They saw that children loved telling stories with pictures, so they redesigned the reading program around creating picture books. Thinley’s attitude doesn’t allow failure to stop her. One of her biggest challenges was building a model center as a place to test new ideas. Despite being laughed at and told no, Thinley persisted, and after 4 years, the model center was established. Thinley is constantly reaching out to meet people to learn new things and to find resources to help her overcome challenges. She travels around the world to attend different types of events, making connections beyond the world of libraries. She finds opportunities to make connections through her networks, such as working with an American teenager successfully fundraise and build a library. With the success of READ Bhutan, Thinley Choden has proven that she deserves to be recognized as an educational innovator. |
Bio
Thinley Choden established READ Bhutan in 2008, and grew it from a one-person office to a fully staffed organization. Under her leadership, READ Bhutan opened the country’s first rural community library, and to date has established five centers in areas where access to resources are limited. These centers provide access to basic education, but also promote community development. Previously, Thinley was a program officer with the UN World Food Program. She holds a BA in economics from Beloit College and an MPA from the University of Hawaii. She is a world traveler, and speaks 4 languages. |