Yeshi Paldon is from Chamkhar in Bumthang. After attending several career counselling sessions, Yeshi found her vocation in nursing and pursued a degree in Nursing at RTC, where she built her zest for learning as well as the mental and emotional tenacity to become a nurse. Unfortunately, she had to leave college and discontinue her studies after she lost her father to a road accident – leaving her and her three siblings to be raised alone by their mother who is unemployed. The family did not have any relatives to help them financially, nor did they have any assets to sell or ability to take any more loans. After failing to receive any financial aid for her education, Yeshi was on the verge of giving up on her dream to become a nurse until she received the Loden Scholarship. And once again, despite all the hardships, she was able to revive her aspiration and make her way to become a nurse one day.

My father served in the armed forces, but tragically, he met an untimely end. After this tragedy, our mother couldn’t afford to raise all three of us, so we had to live apart, reuniting only during vacations. Growing up in a household marked by financial hardship and the absence of a second parental figure, my journey toward higher education has been fraught with challenges and obstacles.

From the beginning of my education, my aunt and uncle took care of me and guided me throughout my learning journey. My passion for learning and teaching has always been profound. From a young age, I have been drawn to the transformative power of education in shaping lives and communities. During my school days, I volunteered as a tutor for many of my juniors and friends. This experience solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in education and ignited a passion within me for education and mentorship. Despite dedicating all my time and effort to preparing for the BHSEC examination, I couldn’t achieve the marks needed to secure an RGoB scholarship.

I will always be grateful to the Loden Foundation and my family for their support. The imperative need for a scholarship as the child of a single mother and a product of a poor background cannot be overstated. With passion, dedication, and a clear vision for the future, I am confident that I can make a meaningful contribution to the field of education with the support of this scholarship.