30 years of the RTL Telethon: Supporting Bhutan with charity jewelry from THOMAS SABO

For almost 20 years, THOMAS SABO has supported the RTL Telethon with exclusive charity jewelry. To mark the 30th anniversary of the charity campaign, company founder Thomas Sabo and his wife Rita are supporting the construction of a school dormitory in Bhutan.

Left: Rita and Thomas Sabo surrounded by the children of the My Gakidh Village School in Bhutan. © Thomas Sabo

Educational institution for children in Bhutan

The "RTL Foundation – We Help Children e.V." is supporting the construction of a school dormitory in Bhutan this year. Children in the Himalayan mountain region there have to make their way to school in poor footwear, traversing slippery and steep paths, past raging rivers, and through deep mud. For some, this dangerous journey takes three hours. Sleeping in classrooms or with strangers is not uncommon when the way home is too perilous.

Thomas Sabo and his wife Rita Sabo visited the region last year to see the situation for themselves. The company founder and designer, who himself lived in Asia for several years in the past, reports: 

"The conditions for the children to get to school here are absolutely dire. They are afraid of the journey every morning. They arrive at school exhausted and completely soaked. But nobody can stop them – they want to learn and go to school."

Rita Sabo adds: 

“I don’t even want to think about our little daughter Venezia having to face these dangers every day. And no mother here in Bhutan wants that either. So it was clear to us from the beginning that we had to help here. I can’t imagine sending our daughter on that route to school. But it’s a huge dilemma. On the one hand, you don’t want to put the children in danger, but on the other hand, education is of course very, very important.”

To ensure that the pupils of "My Gakidh Village School" no longer have to make this daily trek, four dormitories are to be built on the school grounds, providing safe accommodation for around 300 children. During the RTL Telethon on November 20th and 21st – Germany's largest TV charity broadcast, which reaches millions of viewers annually – Thomas and Rita Sabo will appeal for donations towards the construction.

"We must invest in the children of Bhutan, because they are the future of this wonderful country full of tradition and culture. And education is the future! Please help and donate so that we can build a dormitory and the children no longer have to risk their lives every day on their way to school." 

The charity bracelet from THOMAS SABO

To support the construction project and the charity campaign, THOMAS SABO is offering an exclusive charity bracelet designed for the occasion this year, which will be sold during the RTL Donation Marathon.

All proceeds will go directly to the children of the "My Gakidh Village School." The bracelet is limited to 4,400 pieces and features freshwater cultured pearls and beads made of moss agate and green aventurine – the green design is reminiscent of the Bhutanese landscape and symbolizes hope. A star charm, representing light, protection, and the children's dreams, completes the design.

 The limited edition charity bracelet is available exclusively for the RTL Donation Marathon on November 20, 2025, until 5:00 p.m. in THOMAS SABO stores in Germany and Austria, and from 6:00 p.m. in the online shop at www.thomassabo.com for €49.00.