The Bhutanese American community living in Philadelphia formally launched a community organization – Bhutanese American Organization-Philadelphia – amidst an inauguration of its community center at South Philadelphia, Sunday.

Inauguration began with religious prayers conducted by Hindu priests, Buddhist lamas, Kirati priests and Christian pastors.

The program kicked off at 9.00 a.m. and ended at 4.00 p.m. with community members and visitors numbering around 900, all have gathered within the program period with great jubilation and hope, said the organization in a press statement.

Senior members of the community, youth, students, and the community leaders displayed active participation in rendering the event a success, it claimed.

The community center has large multi-purpose hall with three other smaller rooms spacious enough to conduct various activities.

Although active community members have contributed its Initial arrangement for rent and utilities, BAO-P leadership is said to be actively engaged in seeking sustainable support to lease the community center for long run.

The statement highlighted that the organization’s immediate programs are to provide citizenship and ESL classes the community members by pulling volunteers from University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, Jefferson University and interested educationists.

Likewise, other programs include Nepali classes to High School children, SAT/TOEFL classes for higher studies aspirant adults, Yoga, Bhajan and Kirtan to the interested community members, job preparedness programs for the needy, and health orientations and support to targeted community members.

The patron-in-chief and Chairman of BAO-P is Madap Sharma who has served as educationist and administrator back home and in US.

Two vice-chairs Ashok Rai and Dilu Kafley, both of whom are actively involved in social works, support him. Its Executive Director is Leela Kuikel who holds business and economic expertise, the statement added.