GMC Governor Dr Lotay Tshering Visits Ground-Up Initiative in Singapore: A Lesson in Community-Led Sustainability
GMC Governor Dr Lotay Tshering visits Ground-Up Initiative’s new site in Khatib, Singapore, gaining insights into community-led sustainability, hands-on education, and mindful urban living—valuable lessons for a world embracing intentional development.
Imagine stepping into a space where nature, community and meaningful purpose converge—that’s exactly what happened when Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering, Governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), visited Ground‑Up Initiative (GUI) at their new site in Khatib, Singapore.
This exploratory trip, proposed by the author with experience in Singapore’s non-profit sector, connected Dasho Dr Lotay with GUI, creating a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and draw inspiration from its work in fostering sustainable communities and hands-on learning spaces. During the visit, Bingyu Cai, Executive Lead of Ground-Up Initiative, warmly welcomed Dasho Dr Lotay and shared the story behind GUI’s mission and ongoing initiatives.
Dasho Dr Lotay is embarking on an inspiring mission to shape a sustainable, tech-infused urban sanctuary in southern Bhutan. Meanwhile in Singapore, GUI is quietly redefining how communities can reconnect with nature and each other—by turning everyday spaces into living classrooms for sustainability.
GUI’s New Kampung Campus at Khatib
GUI recently announced its relocation from Lorong Chencharu to a fresh site in Khatib, just a stone’s throw away—roughly 300 metres—from its original location. Their new “Kampung Kampus” — still under construction — will be more than just bricks and mortar; it will feature a chemical-free farm, woodworking workshop, event spaces, all built around environmental sustainability and a strong community ethos. Since 2008, GUI has engaged over 150,000 people through 700+ programmes and partnered with more than 550 organisations.
Much of the construction of the new site incorporates waste and recycled materials, turning discarded items into building blocks for a better future. From plastics waste to repurposed fixtures, every piece tells a story of renewal and intention. GUI also partners closely with schools and educational institutions, where students learn how sustainability can be applied in real, tangible ways. Through workshops and hands-on projects, waste is transformed into meaningful initiatives—teaching the next generation that nothing is truly wasted when guided by creativity, purpose and care.
Shared Values: GUI’s Mission and the Vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City
In many ways, GUI’s mission beats to the same heartbeat as His Majesty King Jigme’s vision and unprecedented initiative of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project—an ambitious national endeavour to create a sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking urban centre in Bhutan.
GUI’s “community and people-centred” approach to urban living—where sustainability, collaboration, and belonging are at the heart of development—offers a living example of what mindful urbanisation can look like in practice. It’s a model that shows how progress can be shared by all, ensuring no one is left behind.
Urbanisation may be a global trend, but the true challenge lies in shaping it with heart, purpose and community in mind. GUI's work is a testament that development doesn’t have to mean disconnection from nature or one another, but instead, a return to what truly matters.
Community Spaces that Build Belonging
At GUI, urban space is reimagined as a canvas for connection. Their site is home to community farms, woodworking sheds, open kitchens and shared learning spaces—each designed to spark interaction, nurture shared responsibility, and celebrate the 'kampung spirit' (community spirit). It’s about creating places where people don’t just live, but belong.
Learning by Doing: GUI’s Sustainability in Action
GUI’s philosophy is hands-on and rooted in nature. Whether it’s planting crops without chemicals, building with reclaimed materials, or baking in an earth oven, every experience teaches self-reliance and respect for the environment. This practical approach to sustainability empowers individuals to be both learners and caretakers of the land.
Evolving Without Losing Your Soul
When GUI had to move from its original site at Lorong Chencharu, it wasn’t just a change of address—it was a test of identity. But instead of losing its spirit, GUI carried it forward, adapting with grace while keeping its core intact. The transition reflects a deeper truth: progress can honour the past while embracing the future.
Raising Funds, Raising Awareness
GUI’s new campus in Khatib is being built not just with funds, but with faith—from the community, partners, and volunteers. Its phased fundraising campaign, which aims to raise SGD 4.5 million, isn’t just about hitting a number. It’s about building shared ownership and rallying people around a vision of urban living that is kind, conscious and collaborative.
What Dasho Dr Lotay witnessed at Ground-Up Initiative wasn’t theory—it was lived experience, shaped by years of hands-in-the-soil work and heartfelt community engagement. From eco-farming to shared workshops, GUI shows us what sustainable urban living truly looks like in practice. It’s a testament to how, with the right values and a strong sense of community, even the most urban environments can stay grounded in humanity.
As countries around the world search for more meaningful models of growth, spaces like GUI stand out as beacons of possibility. They show us that development can be local, green and collaborative—echoing the core principles of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy.
In short, GUI’s nature-inspired “Kampung Kampus” blends greenery, craftsmanship and collective purpose, creating not just skills, but a sense of belonging. It nurtures both land and soul, reflecting Bhutan’s own belief that true progress isn’t measured by what we build, but by how deeply we care for our people, community and the planet.
Find out more about Gelephu Mindfulness City.
