September 3: It may look like a group of people preparing to go on a camping trip. But what any observer wouldn’t have guessed is that these are the volunteers of Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu (VAST). More than 60 women from various villages in Kabjisa and Guma are on a nine-day pilgrimage to Bumthang. Many of them had never been out of their villages.

Under the ‘Make a Wish’ initiative, a pilot project started by the VAST, some 50 old people from Punakha went on a pilgrimage last year.

According to Asha Kama, the founder of the organisation, the Make a Wish project was initiated in order create a better understanding between the young and the old. And give people the opportunity to go to places where they had never been before.

Some 23 women waited at the road head at Kabjisa Geog, the drizzle didn’t seem to dim their excitement. Most of them would be wondering into a world they had never known, for the first time.

“I’m always in the village. I have been here all my life. We are very happy that we are being taken on a pilgrimage. I have been told it is in Bumthang but since I have never been there I don’t know where exactly we will be going. I am very happy though,” said Aum Kinley, with a smile on her face.

Others were picked up near the Dzong. The group was headed to Gangtey yesterday. Aum Phub Zam shared her excitement: “I am 62, I have never been out of Punakha. This is the first time most of us are leaving Punakha.”

Enroute to Bumthang, they will also be visiting historical and religious sites in Trongsa.