|
|
December 2008
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|
International Occasion |
| -
|
Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence in Portugal
|
| -
|
Independence Day in Central African Republic
|
| -
|
First Sunday of Advent (4th Sunday before Christmas)
|
Internationl Observance |
| -
|
World AIDS Day, recognized by the UN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NVSS |
|
|
Nopkin Volunteers for Social Services (NVSS) is a brainchild of the members of Nopkin.com carry out the social services.
Vision:
NVSS shall strive to bring forth a greener society with a healthier mind and spirit.
It aims to not only make our world a place to live but also a place to learn.
Mission:
Cleaner environment, Healthier society, Happier life.
Objectives
Our objectives are to:
- Educate people in keeping their surroundings clean.
- Care the nature around us, and contribute to it in all the possible ways we can.
- Educate fellow citizens on the merit of volunteerism and cultivate an attitude of global concern.
- Educate people about what the long term impacts of ignoring the present day environmental situations would be.
- Work hand in hand with Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN), National Environment Commission (NEC) and other agencies for a common cause of environmental conservation.
- Build a strong, positive attitude towards the need to be 'concerned individuals' and to contribute in every way one can, not only towards nature but towards livelihood.
Background
NVSS was formed by a group of people in Thimphu driven by an unwavering interest in the literary activities, and who are committed for public services voluntarily. The rate of increase of litters in and around Thimphu has been alarming of late. The dismaying sight of dirty towns, littered sidewalks, unkempt surroundings, filthy drains etc. are a few issues that give rise to one's will and determination to intervene into a person's or a community's casual and wasteful lifestyle and try helping encourage them to practice a cleaner and safer mode of living. Health hazards related to sanitary ignorance are seen as a major disruption to a happy living. Since the sanitary issues have a direct impact on our health a need for awareness on health and hygiene has become a requisite necessity.
Therefore, motivated by the above issues, NVSS has developed its own aims and objectives. Primarily, we aim to reach to the mass through various forms of awareness campaigns regarding the importance and the need to maintain cleanliness. We also intend conveying the message directly to the public by rendering voluntary cleaning services in some distraught locations which are in dire need of some clean sweep. We also aspire to educate the public even if we have to go from door to door or/and by humbly seeking the help of the various media resorts in airing or bringing to print our aims, hopes and aspirations. We also can act as ambassadors of the NGOs and the Municipality, all of which are concerned in the direct health and sanitation issues or are for bigger responsibility and commitment on preservation and sustenance of the environment, by helping drive their messages to the ears and sight of the public.
Following the inception of NVSS, the members have concentrated their interest in the suburbs of Thimphu. Being a small voluntary group, with no means of funding, but with a dream equally big, our first aspiration is to bring positive changes in the locality where the members reside, i.e. in Thimphu, where the expenses required to meet, while carrying out NVSS's functions, are optimal and within the spend able limits of the volunteers/members. However, NVSS's purpose shall neither be restricted to doing only cleaning campaigns nor will it restrict itself to Thimphu only. With time, we shall also be stressing on the bigger issues like environmental preservation, good health & hygiene of all Bhutanese to keep up with the concept of Gross National Happiness.
Nopkin.com
A website called Nopkin.com (www.nopkin.com) is an official website for NVSS. Besides reporting the activities and spreading messages of NVSS to the public, the website is also a platform where people of all walks of life share lighthearted articles and humors.
Strategies
In the past, we have organized two cleaning campaigns and some voluntary contribution to a monastery construction [references attached]. This has made us hope that we can do more and better. And we plan to organize at least one cleaning campaign per month.
1. Cleaning campaigns.
Before we intend to educate others, it is wise to be one. Campaigns to create awareness make impacts among many.
2. Tie-up with Agencies
It remains known to all that there are people/agencies/groups who wish to contribute the same way, except that everyone lacks initiative. NVSS looks forward to tying up with some concerned agencies and work towards the achievement of common goals.
3. Education
It is important and necessary to educate people as much as one needs to act upon- 'It is better to teach them fishing than giving people fish'. NVSS members are eager and ready to talk to people/students on a larger scale and to involve them as well. This should result in creating greater impact.
4. Awareness/ Advocacy
Awareness is crucial if long term impact is expected. In this regard, NVSS will maintain the constancy and make sure that the impact on people is far greater than expected. Involving more of "Environmentally concerned people" will be significantly powerful in combating the problem.
5. Constancy
Such activities, once initiated take a natural death if constancy is not maintained for a bigger purpose. NVSS members strongly hope to remain committed and concerned for all times ahead.
Areas of concern
As we learnt from our previous campaigns, it is likely that the settlement areas and public places are the areas which require the most attention.
For instance, the last campaign [25th August 2007] was conducted in Changjiji Settlement Area, Thimphu. There are large numbers of people residing and it was sad to notice the unkempt drains and surroundings. The drains didn't have proper outlets which became the womb to many germs, mosquitoes. It is a serious health issue for the dwellers.
Long Term Impact
NVSS looks forward to creating huge impact and better awareness among the rest of the people. And by means of involving more people, either through advocacy or volunteerism, NVSS shall continue being concerned. And NVSS is determined that we can bring a change - no matter how long it takes.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Financial Management
- As with any grant funding, the members NVSS have opened up a joint account which shall be operated by at-least 2 people with joint signatory authority to carry out any bank transactions.
- NVSS shall also setup mechanism to evaluate our progress and impact of the activities.
- NVSS shall always strive to achieve the maximum impact with the minimal cost and we would assure the optimum use of the funds.
- All the monetary transaction shall be recorded and a proper book keeping will be maintained for record.
- We shall post reports of the activities on the website (www.nopkin.com) advocating more participation from the general public.
Pass Activities
Donating food for the dogs at Memelakha Dog Pound (July 12, 2008)
Cleaning the road near Drugs, Vaccines & Equipment Division to Chanzamtok (July 4, 2008)
Cleaning Campaign at Chelela and Paro town (February 23, 2008)
Cleaning Sweeping the way to Paro Taktsang (December 22-23, 2007)
Zhabto at Dechenphu Lhakhang (September 15, 2007)
Cleaning Campaign at Changjiji Housing Colony (August 25, 2007)
Cleaning Campaign at Thimphu Town (July 14, 2007)
|
|
|
