The Power of a Positive Workmate - V

I have had the great privileged of meeting one great soul from an oil-rich country, South Sudan. I shared many fascinating stories with him about endless things. His name id BOL and he has been living in Australia for over a decade now. Over the months, Bol has become more than just a colleague; he is a great friend. Like anyone, we both have many beautiful dreams. 

Through the scorching sun and long days, week after week and month after month, we have shared countless conversations—not just to pass the time but to learn from each other. Our discussions have taken us on a journey through education, healthcare, democracy, government, and even personal experiences. And, of course, we never escaped talking about CORRUPTION!

Bol is one of the most interesting people I have ever met from South Sudan. His humility and kindness are too far to describe.

 

Free Health and Education

"Did you know, Bol, that in my country, both health and education are completely free?" I asked him one day.

"Are you sure, Sancha?" he replied, clearly doubtful. He had never heard of a developing country providing free healthcare and education.

"Yes, I am 100% sure," I assured him.

He was amazed. "That’s incredible! It must take an enormous amount of money to run these systems. I have never seen a government that can afford such things!"

I explained to him that this was all made possible because of our beloved Kings—a commitment to ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their background, has access to education and healthcare.

Bol was deeply moved. "That’s the sign of a great nation and a corruption-free government," he said.

I smiled. "We are still a developing country, but we believe that one day, we will succeed just like any other great nation."

"Yes, your country will!" he said confidently.

 

The King of Bhutan

Bol wasn’t sure whether Bhutan still had a monarchy. Curious, he asked me more about it.

I quickly pulled out my phone and showed him pictures of His Majesty the King and the Royal Family.

"Oh wow, your King and Queen are so beautiful!" he exclaimed.

I smiled. "They’re not just beautiful; they’re kind, compassionate, and truly care for their people."

"Your King is really handsome!" he added, and I laughed, agreeing wholeheartedly.

I went on to tell him that His Majesty was educated at the University of Oxford.

"Are you sure?" Bol asked, still surprised.

"Absolutely!" I replied, showing him a video of His Majesty’s speech in English.

Bol was impressed. "He speaks like a native English speaker!"

I nodded proudly. Seeing his admiration, I also showed him more pictures of His Majesty, and Bol was humbled by his presence.

"Sancha, you are lucky to be born in such a country," he said. "With a leader like him, I believe Bhutan will continue to grow and prosper."

I smiled and added, "And we already have a charming Crown Prince who will be our 6th King in the future."

 

Democracy and Government

"Did you know, Bol, that Bhutan is the youngest democracy in the world?" I asked.

"No, I didn’t!" he replied, intrigued.

"Yes, we transitioned to democracy quite differently from other countries. Bhutan is a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, meaning we still have our King, but we also have an elected government."

Bol was curious. "But why did Bhutan become a democracy?"

I explained, "Unlike other nations where people fight for democracy, our 4th King voluntarily handed over his absolute power to the people. At first, we were shocked because we were happy under our King’s rule. We had no demands—just a simple desire to live happily under His Majesty’s care. But our King insisted that for the country’s long-term success, democracy was necessary."

I told him about March 24, 2008, the historic day when Bhutan held its first democratic elections. Although many people were hesitant at first, we accepted it because we knew it was for the greater good.

"So does your King still have power?" Bol asked.

"Yes, he remains the Head of State and continues to guide and protect our nation," I explained.

Bol listened carefully, impressed by how smoothly Bhutan transitioned into democracy.

Our conversation made me realize just how unique Bhutan’s journey has been. Talking to Bol about my country gave me a renewed sense of appreciation for our leadership, values, and vision for the future.

 

Corruption!

Corruption has a profound impact on a nation's fate—it can by no chance destroy the nationhood. It is not an issue to be overlooked or taken lightly. Transparency must be embedded in all aspects of society, from the smallest actions to the highest levels of governance. History has shown that corruption weakens institutions, erodes trust, and ultimately destabilizes entire nations.

However, some countries have successfully kept corruption at bay, and the contrast is striking. These nations flourish in multiple ways, offering their citizens a stable, peaceful, and well-functioning society. The driving force behind this success is strong, visionary leadership that prioritizes accountability and integrity.

One country that frequently came up in our discussions was Singapore. We reflected on how Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore’s transformation from a struggling nation into a prosperous, first-world economy. His leadership was built on transparency, ensuring that corruption had no place in governance, business, or daily life. His legacy stands as proof that a nation can thrive when great leaders and strong institutions work together.

Real change, however, doesn’t rely solely on governments—it begins with each of us. By making honesty and integrity a part of our daily habits, we can collectively foster a culture of accountability. 

 

A Journey of Friendship

Yeshi and I

Catching up with old friends is always a joy—it brings back so many memories and a wave of nostalgia for the good times that we will never quite get back. Throughout life, we meet different types of friends: some are there for lighthearted fun, others drift in and out, and a special few leave a lasting impact and stay close forever.

For me, one of those friends is Yeshi—my high school buddy and a bit of a ladies’ man.

We first met back in seventh grade at Damphu, just two young boys in the old classrooms of Damphu Campus. Fate brought us to the same school, both for -education. Together, we set off on that journey, driven by dreams of making something of ourselves. Now, by the grace of God, we are each building our own lives, making our own paths, and writing our own history, just as we had hoped.

Whether in person or over social media, catching up with friends is such a great way to relive those memories. Thanks to technology—and the brilliant minds behind it—staying connected has never been easier. 

Talking with old friends always brings a rush of nostalgia and hilarious memories from our mischievous days: bunking classes, teasing a few girls, racing to the canteen for a treat, and standing in line for a scolding from our teachers. These are all moments I hold close.

Yeshi and I made countless memories, and I am so proud that we still make time to catch up. One memory that stands out is when we used to sneak out of the hostel, hiding behind bushes and slipping through fences, to explore town for a treat. Some days we are lucky; other times, we have returned empty stomachs.

Beyond the classroom, I learned so much from my friend—fearlessness, the world beyond textbooks, and friendship. 

Though we live apart, we still make time to chat about our school days, life, studies, work, family, and our futures. 

I have yet to pick up his basketball acumen—which, no doubt, helped him get plenty of attention from the girls! 

The Power of a Positive Workmate - III

Mitchell and I

I recently started working with a new colleague named Mitchell. If I had married 17 years ago, he could be like a son to me, but to simplify things, he's more like a student to me because I used to be a school teacher, and I still feel connected to my school and students back home.

Mitchell is a bright young man with high integrity, honesty, and self-discipline. He always greets me with a warm smile, and he speaks with conviction and wisdom, like a well-educated person.

Working with Mitchell is a pleasure. We often engage in deep conversations about our countries, which, despite being oceans apart, share many commonalities. Our discussions keep us so engaged that we hardly notice the cold weather. Mitchell is incredibly knowledgeable about the laws of his country, even though he is still in high school.

We frequently discuss education, culture, relationships, friendships, and family, along with politics, climate, weather, technology, and books. I often asked him about Australia's education system, and he never got frustrated with my curiosity. He always provided well-informed answers, from which I learned a lot.

I shared with him the education system of my country, where education starts from primary school, followed by middle or high school, and then a crucial grade-ten national exam that determines whether students pursue science, commerce, or arts, with different combination of subjects. 

Mitchell explained that in Australia, students have the freedom to choose any combination of subjects in high school, and this flexibility allows them to prepare better for university. He aspires to become a law student and is already studying legal subjects. His knowledge about civil and criminal law, justice, and law reform is impressive for his age.

Working with Mitchell has been a privilege. He is smart, kind, and aware of the world around him. I have learned many life lessons from him about being independent. Perhaps, his awareness of social security and the stock market, and his plans to invest, are particularly impressive for someone of his age.

All I can do was to wish him good luck, and secretly admiring his level of knowledge and goodness.