Mencheri in Samdrup Jongkhar will now play its part in preserving the traditional art of pottery. A few of its villagers are undergoing pottery training.
The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative is conducting the training to support emerging women and youth entrepreneurs. Four youth and six women of Mencheri in Orong Gewog are attending the month-long course.
A potter from Gangzur in Lhuentse is training the participants. Among the participants is Pema Yangki. She devotes her time to learning the art although it is challenging to do so with her seven-month old baby on her back.
Pema says after the training, she will focus on making pottery and added: “We can sell the pots to earn income. I will also teach interested villagers to make traditional pots.” Like Pema, other participants are also looking forward to a better prospect after the training.
“Youth like me will not have to go out looking for employment. An opportunity like this will help us sustain. Making pots and selling it will be profitable,” said Tshewang Tenzin, a youth participant.
The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative- a civil society organisation will also construct a pottery studio in the village and help with the marketing.
The European Union through HELVETAS-Bhutan has provided about Nu 500,000 for the pottery project in Menchari Village.
