Her Story: The Story of the Storyteller

“A precious tape recorder, some papers, pens and my father and I travelling around remote villages of Bhutan collecting stories is one of my most cherished childhood memories. Driving the narrow winding dirt roads alongside ancient mountains that suddenly open to reveal long-lost villages. The people who called these beautiful nooks home, assessing us suspiciously. But very soon my father would have us bonding enthusiastically over a blazing fire and some sizzling stories. It was like magic and it was the magic of these stories that broke barriers and the sharing of them, that made us the same. When we departed it would be as friends with a deep respect for each other. We left with a wild discovery of others and a wilder and deeper discovery of ourselves. Once home, the old tape recorder would whizz and hiss mechanically, spilling stories, the sun fading as my father sat on his worn-out chair lost in the world he was creating with his pen. Since then, storytelling has become my first love. Storytelling through travelling is my ultimate ambition. I have always been guided by that passion, through my schooling, my degree, my job on BBS TV2 creating programs like Nazhoen Express Travelogue, Nazhoen Talk, Music Spotlight and ultimately in securing a Masters Scholarship in Film Production from Europe. I have never doubted my passion and my passion has never deserted me. It is my life’s compass.”

This is Thaye Tshering introducing herself, revealing her ability to find a story in everything she does.

Growing up with storytelling in her blood and reaffirming her higher calling, Thaye is a content creator and producer ardently pursued her passion. Talent and hard work aside, humbly Thaye often credits serendipity and fate as having helped propel her journey to where she finds herself now. Her past work at BBS TV2 focused on creating meaningful content for the youth of Bhutan with the hope to re-engage them in their traditional culture.  This work eventually gave birth to the popular program Nazheon Express, with a Bhutanese presenter at the helm who would, along with his audience, re-explore his roots and culture. Eventually, kismet came knocking again and Thaye found herself working with ‘Her Story’, a unique and vibrant show, providing a platform spotlighting inspiring and remarkable Bhutanese women and originally created by BBS producer Tshering Chhoden Wangdi. Being a storyteller first and foremost, Thaye thrived behind the camera. However, Tshering Chhoden, a dear friend recognized her potential and pushed Thaye to get in front of the camera and entrusted her to take over the show,

“The project came to me at the perfect period in my life and encouraged me to overcome my own self-consciousness when I realized that the show was not about me but about my guests. I am merely an instrument, a voice piece to let these bold and driven women share their stories. It was an honour to meet these incredible women and hear their stories and I am ever-so-grateful to Tshering for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.” Thaye shared.

As a team of one, Thaye scouts, researches, designs, co-ordinates, presents, directs and produces the program on her own creative merit, driven by what the program represents and how needed it is in our community,

“Our human history is rarely if ever, told by a woman. So often it is exactly how it is written - his-story. Women pioneers in history across different cultures have a tendency to be forever lost in obscurity; never documented or miscredited. All too often we women are dismissive of our own successes, we do not consider our story worth telling. When I took over Her Story, I strived to stop that cycle. I wanted to create a space for women to tell their stories - to document her story. That’s why I started off Season 2 of Her Story with the quote ‘You are strong, you are smart, you are beautiful and your story needs to be heard.’ My hope is that the program acts as a beacon illuminating and inspiring other women to see the true power that they hold. Through the stories of strong, smart and unafraid women, I hope others will be inspired to pursue their passions and that we can help lift each other up” Thaye enthused.

The second season of Her Story premiered in February of this year, whilst the global pandemic was very much still ongoing, the show fittingly had Her Excellency the Health Minister as their first guest of the season. As a mother and an icon of hope during the pandemic, Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo was a stellar selection to showcase the duality of a woman, the pure strength and the soft compassion,

“We had the absolute honour of having Her Excellency Lyonpo Dasho Dechen Wangmo launch Her Story Season 2. Both Tshering Chhoden and I felt that it was pertinent for us to launch Her Story Season 2 with our first guest on the show being the Health Minister. It was early on in the COVID timeline when we would gather around and wait for the Health Minister to come on TV and give us crucial updates. It was easy for us to forget that she was a woman with a son at home while she was away from home working for the country. I barely slept before filming and was shaking in my boots throughout the interview but Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo was incredibly open and kind. She generously shared her stories and I am ever so grateful for her magnanimity and inspired by her candour and warmth that shined through” smiled Thaye.

Being a storyteller is not only a professional pursuit but a deeply personal one, Thaye did not let the pandemic slow her creative ventures and continued searching for the stories that needed to be heard. She created ‘Fridays with Bhutan’ on Instagram as a place to share positive, uplifting stories from the community and show gratitude to all the essential front-line workers. Another passion project created by Thaye was ‘Animals of Bhutan, a Love story” the first of its kind pet documentary series from Bhutan. The show aimed to share stories showcasing the beauty of the bond we share with our furry companions that are part of our lives. Proving time and again to live by example, Thaye has endeavoured to be a strong, independent, Bhutanese female content creator with a hope she may motivate others,

“As a content creator, it is our job to foster a safe, nurturing, positive space. A space where young, impressionable women can see someone like themselves achieve their true potential and contribute positively to the community and country. To create a space like this for open discussions on women stories, to showcase women role models to inspire to, is essential for our country’s development. Through all of my endeavours, I have been lucky to be supported by some incredible women who are generous in their support and who truly believe women must work together to lift each other up. I am inspired by them; I appreciate them and I hope to do my part in creating a space for exhibiting such extraordinary women that we can all aspire to be” Thaye beamed.

Article contributed by Jetsuen Wangmo for the UN/JICA We Care We Share Initiative