Lasting change happens when children are supported
by strong families, caring communities and effective systems.

Why this work matters

Children thrive when they grow up in safe, supportive and nurturing environments.

However, not all children have access to the care, protection and opportunities they need. Family challenges, poverty, violence, neglect, social exclusion, substance use and other adverse circumstances can affect children’s wellbeing, development and future opportunities.

When these challenges remain unaddressed, risks can increase and children may require additional protection, care and support. This is why prevention, early intervention and timely assistance are central to Nazhoen Lamtoen’s work.

Community members taking part in a facilitated discussion while children play nearby

Understanding children’s pathways

Every child’s situation is unique. Children do not follow a single pathway, nor do they all experience challenges in the same way.

At the same time, experience shows that children may face different levels of risk and vulnerability throughout their lives. Some children require limited support, while others require more intensive protection, rehabilitation or reintegration services.

For this reason, Nazhoen Lamtoen works with three broad groups of children:

Vulnerable children
Children facing risks that may affect their wellbeing, development or future opportunities.
Children in difficult circumstances (CIDC)
Children whose circumstances place them at heightened risk and who require additional protection, care or support.
Children in conflict with the law (CICL)
Children who have entered the justice system and require rehabilitation, reintegration and continued support.

These groups are not fixed labels. Rather, they help illustrate how risks can emerge and why different forms of support may be needed at different stages of a child’s life.

By identifying risks early and responding appropriately, opportunities for positive change can be strengthened.

How change happens

Nazhoen Lamtoen believes that supporting individual children is only one part of creating lasting change.

Children’s lives are shaped by the families around them, the communities in which they grow up and the systems designed to protect and support them.

For this reason, the organisation works across multiple levels. It provides direct support to children while strengthening families, engaging communities and contributing to more responsive and effective systems.

Through prevention, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration, Nazhoen Lamtoen seeks to create safer environments and stronger support structures for children across Bhutan.

The outcomes we seek

Nazhoen Lamtoen’s Theory of Change recognises that lasting change happens when children, families, communities and systems are strengthened together.

Through its work, the organisation seeks to contribute to six long-term outcomes:

Children in difficult circumstances are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, homelessness and conflict with the law.
Children are successfully reintegrated into safe families or supported through quality alternative care.
Families become economically resilient and capable of caring for their children.
Children access quality education, healthcare, life skills and opportunities for personal development.
Communities actively protect children and promote child rights.
Government, CSOs and the private sector collaborate to strengthen Bhutan’s child protection system.

Together, these outcomes help create pathways towards protection, wellbeing, resilience and opportunity for children across Bhutan.