Shabto Volunteers Begin Work Supporting Gelephu Mindfulness City
Gelephu, Bhutan — July 2025 – As Bhutan advances plans to develop Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), thousands of volunteers from across the country have joined a nationwide effort to support the project through the Shabto Volunteer Programme, contributing voluntary service in preparation for the future city.
Shabto — Bhutan’s tradition of voluntary community service — has mobilised citizens from across the country to take part in early work preparing the landscape and infrastructure connected with one of Bhutan’s most significant development initiatives.
This article is part of an ongoing series documenting the Shabto volunteer programmes supporting the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
First Volunteer Programme Begins at Airport Construction Site
The first round of the Shabto Volunteer Programme brought together volunteers from across Sarpang Dzongkhag, along with participants from other parts of Bhutan, to support early preparation work at the Gelephu International Airport site.
More than 1,600 volunteers participated in the programme, including local residents and representatives from regional offices, schools, associations, and businesses in Sarpang. They joined Their Majesties, Their Royal Highnesses, and more than 1,500 Gyalsups and Desuups, contributing their efforts in support of the project.
The Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and government officials also participated in the programme, alongside ambassadors, heads of international agencies, and members of their teams.
Preparing the Foundations for Future Development
Work at the Gelephu International Airport site began with a prayer ceremony on July 8, marking the formal start of preparations for one of the key infrastructure components of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Following the ceremony, volunteers began clearing land and preparing the site alongside GMC team members and officials. Despite the intense summer heat in Gelephu, participants continued their work with determination and a strong sense of shared purpose.
These early activities form part of the groundwork supporting the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, which is envisioned as a new urban centre built on principles of sustainability, cultural continuity, and balanced economic development.
A Nationwide Effort
The Shabto Volunteer Programme mobilises participants from different sectors of Bhutanese society, including students, civil servants, community organisations, and local residents.
By bringing together people from across the country, the programme highlights Bhutan’s tradition of collective participation in national development and reflects the strong public support behind the vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City.
As the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City progresses, the Shabto Volunteer Programme continues to reflect Bhutan’s tradition of collective service in support of national development.
Elżbieta Jabłońska
Bhutan Poland Friendship Society
