Dhungsel Home Spa- A venture by the visually impaired
Access to resources and jobs is scarce for someone like Tshering Dorji from eastern Bhutan, who has visual impairment. The lack of training and skills for a marketable job makes it difficult for young people, especially for someone with a disability, to find stable jobs. Tshering Dorji is 29 years old and has a wife and daughter. Visually impaired and being able to go to school only until the eighth grade, he was not able to acquire a job with a steady income to support his family.
In 2015, Tshering Dorji began his journey to independence with seven other individuals with visual impairment when the Bhutan Foundation, in partnership with the Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan (DPAB), and Amankora, (a luxury resort in Bhutan), collaborated on a project to provide persons with disabilities with better and more stable jobs. Through this support, all eight were trained in spa therapy at the Amankora Resorts in Thimphu and Paro. Despite initial challenges of financial constraints and skepticism from society, Tshering Dorji remained dedicated to a dream of starting his own business. With financial and technical support from the Bhutan Foundation and many other stakeholders, Tshering Dorji, his wife, and Tshering Karchung (another spa therapist with visual impairment trained through the same program) decided to set up the Dhungsel Home Spa in April 2015, based in Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu.
The group established the business with a strong belief in an “inclusive society for all” and that individuals with disabilities can transition into and live independent lives. Dhungsel also hopes to inspire others with disabilities in Bhutanese society to pursue their dreams. Today, Dhungsel Home Spa massage therapists are fully certified and trained by Amankora Resorts to provide various specialized services, including Thai Massage, Holistic Body Massage, Anti-Aging Facials, and Reflexology (Foot Massage).
There have been many instances when people walk into Dhungsel with a preconceived notion that individuals with visual impairment may not be able to provide professional massages. However, Dhungsel’s spa therapists often surprise their customers with the quality of services they provide and often make them realize that the opportunities for individuals with disabilities are only limited when society has limited expectations from them.
Dhungsel Home Spa strives for excellence in providing massage services and in promoting an inclusive society. Please join Dhungsel as they embark on a journey to become a Center of Excellence for Home Spa Skills and Business Opportunities for the Disabled Community in Bhutan. In the words of Tshering Dorji, “We may not have the gift of vision, but we always say that it has given us a unique sense of touch. We welcome you to try us out!”
CONTACT INFO
Facebook
Dhunsel Home Spa
Twitter
@dhungsel
TripAdvisor
Address
Lower Motithang, Tarala Apartments,Thimphu, Bhutan
Phone
To book your appointment please contact us at 17651269.
Hours: Daily from 9am to 7pm.
Skincare Chat with Safe Skin Spa in Thimphu
Feel that slight chill in the air????? Skin getting flakey and dry?????
That means it's time to pay attention to your skincare regimen and we're so excited to be collaborating with Safe Skin Spa , ????Thimphu's brand new parlour focusing on deep moisture facials and skincare. Stay tuned for another video where we discuss easy tips to good skin.