Is there a meaning to the name Nazhoen Lamtoen? 

Nazhoen Lamtoen means guiding children and youth towards the right path in life. It  reflects the idea of supporting and showing young people a safe, positive, and  meaningful direction for their future.

At its core, what problem is Nazhoen Lamtoen trying to solve for Bhutanese  youth? 

At its core, Nazhoen Lamtoen is addressing the root cause of vulnerability among Bhutanese youth—poverty. Children living in difficult circumstances are at high risk of experiencing neglect, violence, and eventually coming into conflict with the law, with the majority of such cases linked to poverty.

By breaking the cycle of poverty through  livelihood interventions, Nazhoen Lamtoen supports families to become self-reliant. The  organization has helped around 1,800 children from 300 families by establishing over  200 micro-businesses, enabling sustainable income for households. This approach reduces children’s exposure to risk, prevents them from entering the justice system, and minimizes the need for institutional care, ultimately guiding them toward a safer and more secure future.

How does the reintegration process begin when a child arrives at Nazhoen Lamtoen’s Halfway Home?

At Nazhoen Lamtoen’s Halfway Home, reintegration begins the moment a child arrives. We do not aim to keep children in institutional care for long, as every child deserves to grow up within a family and community environment. As soon as a child is admitted, we work closely with government agencies such as the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) and The Pema to trace and reconnect them with their families. At the same time, we support and empower these families—often through livelihood assistance—so they are able to safely take their children back.

What does a ‘good day’ look like for a young child in your care?

For a young child, even as young as five, a good day is one that feels safe, structured, and nurturing. It includes attending school, engaging in play and creative activities, receiving emotional support, and building trust with caregivers. These daily routines help restore a sense of normalcy, stability, and belonging—things many of these children have not consistently experienced.

What core values guide every decision within Nazhoen Lamtoen?

Nazhoen Lamtoen is guided by a strong commitment to the best interests of the  child. Every decision we make prioritizes the safety, dignity, and well-being of  children, especially those in difficult circumstances. We believe that children  belong in families and communities, not in long-term institutional care, which is  why we focus on reintegration and family-based support. 

We are also guided by the value of empowerment. Rather than creating  dependency, we support families through livelihood interventions so they can  become self-reliant and provide a stable environment for their children.  Collaboration is another core value, we work closely with government agencies  and partners to ensure a coordinated and sustainable response. 

Above all, we believe in prevention. By addressing poverty and strengthening  families, we aim to reduce violence against children, prevent them from coming  into conflict with the law, and ensure they do not end up in institutional care. 

Can you share a moment or programme where you felt, “This is exactly why we exist”?

One moment that truly captured why we exist comes from both our livelihood programme and the care we provide at our shelter. We supported a family living in extreme poverty, where the child was at high risk of dropping out of school and coming into conflict with the law. Instead of placing the child in long-term institutional care, we helped the family set up a small micro-business. Over time, their income improved, and the child was able to return home and continue schooling in a safe and stable environment.

At the same time, we have seen children arrive at our shelter carrying trauma, having experienced neglect, and without immediate family support. Through consistent care, structured routines, education, and emotional support, we gradually see them regain confidence, feel safe again, and begin to smile and dream about their future.

Witnessing both these journeys—children reintegrating with their families and those in our shelter healing and rebuilding their lives—reminds us exactly why we exist: to protect children, strengthen families, and ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and supportive environment.

How much of Nazhoen Lamtoen’s direction is shaped by the voices of young  people themselves? 

A strong part of Nazhoen Lamtoen’s direction is shaped by the voices of children and  young people themselves. We believe children are not just beneficiaries, but active  participants in decisions that affect their lives. Their experiences, feedback, and  aspirations guide how we design our programmes and interventions. Children’s voices have directly influenced the development of our Community Child Protection Teams (CCPT) model.

Through listening to children at the grassroots level, we understood the gaps in early identification, support, and  safe referral systems within communities. As a result, CCPT was designed to  engage local leaders and community members to respond to child protection issues early, ensuring that children’s concerns are heard and addressed within their own communities. This has strengthened a bottom-up approach where children’s issues are not ignored but acted upon at every level. 

Their voices have also contributed to important systemic changes, particularly for children in conflict with the law (CICL). In the past, children often faced barriers in accessing services or opportunities due to lack of proper documentation or approval. Now, through advocacy and collaboration, children are able to obtain necessary clearances such as No Objection Certificates (NOC), enabling them to reintegrate into society, access education, training, and livelihood opportunities without stigma or restriction. 

By embedding children’s voices into both community-level interventions and policy-level changes, Nazhoen Lamtoen ensures that its work remains truly child centered, responsive, and impactful.

When you think about the next 10–20 years, what role do you see the organisation playing in Bhutan’s national story?

Over the next 10–20 years, we see Nazhoen Lamtoen playing a pivotal role in  Bhutan’s national story by strengthening child protection systems and reducing  the number of children coming into conflict with the law. Through our  programmes, we aim to prevent vulnerabilities before they escalate, supporting  children and families so that fewer children need to enter institutional care. 

By working closely with local and central government, engaging communities  through initiatives like CCPT, and empowering families with livelihoods and life  skills, we envision a future where children grow up safely in their homes and  communities. In this way, Nazhoen Lamtoen will contribute to a Bhutan where  child protection is effective, families are resilient, and children are given every  opportunity to thrive, making our society stronger and more compassionate for  generations to come. 

You operate as a CSO in a small country with limited donor infrastructure. What  keeps the lights on — and what keeps you going? 

What keeps the lights on at Nazhoen Lamtoen is our unwavering commitment to  children in difficult circumstances (CIDC)—the most vulnerable group in Bhutan,  and the root factor behind many forms of violence against children. Children  living in poverty or difficult circumstances are at high risk of neglect, abuse, and  coming into conflict with the law. Supporting them is both urgent and essential. 

What keeps us going is the impact we see when communities, families, and  children are empowered. Through prevention-focused programmes, such as  Community Child Protection Teams (CCPT), we engage communities to identify  risks early, respond effectively, and protect children before harm occurs. By  partnering with local and central government, we strengthen the child  protection system, empower families, and ensure children have a safe and  supportive environment. 

Even in a small country with limited donor infrastructure, it is the knowledge that  every intervention can prevent a child from entering conflict with the law, from  experiencing violence, or from ending up in shelter care that motivates us to  continue—turning challenges into meaningful change for Bhutanese children.

How can people support the mission of Nazhoen Lamtoen?

People can support the mission of Nazhoen Lamtoen in a variety of meaningful  ways, depending on their interest and capacity: 

• Become a monthly contributing member – small, regular contributions  help sustain our programmes and provide long-term support for children in  difficult circumstances. 
• Donate through platforms like GlobalGiving – one-time or recurring donations directly fund our shelter, livelihood, and community-based  initiatives. 
• Volunteer your time and skills – assist in our shelter, programmes, or events  to make a direct impact in the lives of children. 
• Engage in our programmes – participate in awareness campaigns,  community child protection activities, or advocacy initiatives. • Corporate partnerships and sponsorships – support events, training, or  livelihood projects to empower children and families. 
• Spread awareness – help amplify our work through social media,  community networks, or educational activities to inspire others to get  involved. 

No matter the form, every contribution—whether time, resources, or advocacy —directly helps prevent children from coming into conflict with the law, supports  families, and ensures children grow up safe, supported, and empowered. 

What kind of activities can the partners conduct at Nazhoen Lamtoen?

Partners can engage in a wide range of activities at Nazhoen Lamtoen,  depending on their expertise, resources, and interests: 

• Community Engagement & Awareness – support CCPT activities, organize  awareness campaigns on child protection, child rights, and prevention of  violence. 
• Skill Development & Vocational Training – conduct workshops or training  sessions for children and youth to develop practical, livelihood, or creative  skills. 
• Mentorship & Life Skills Programs – guide children in decision-making,  confidence-building, communication, and problem-solving. 
• Volunteering & Shelter Support – assist in day-to-day activities at the  shelter, including educational support, recreational programs, and  psychosocial care.
• Events & Fundraising Initiatives – organize concerts, sports events, or  campaigns to raise funds for shelter maintenance, family livelihood  projects, or reintegration support. 
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Collaborations – provide material  support, infrastructure, or program sponsorship, such as for building micro businesses or supporting educational needs. 
• Research & Policy Support – partner on studies or advocacy projects that  strengthen child protection policies and improve reintegration practices  for children in difficult circumstances. 

Through these activities, partners not only contribute resources but also help  empower children, strengthen families, and build resilient communities, ensuring  long-term protection and opportunities for Bhutanese youth.

To learn more or support Nazhoen Lamtoen’s mission, visit https://nazhoenlamtoen.org/.