Villagers in the far-flung areas of Zhemgang will soon be able to bake and serve a variety of pastries both in their households and to fellow villagers. A group of women most of whom are unemployed and a few housewives are currently undergoing a month-long training in bakery and confectionery. The training is a part of the labour ministry’s village skills development programme aimed at engaging youth in meaningful and gainful employment.
20 women from eight gewogs in Zhemgang are taking part in the ongoing confectionery and baking training at Berti Eco-lodge.
Within three weeks, participants learned how to bake more than 35 varieties of pastries. Most participants are already excited to serve some freshly baked loaf of bread to their children as soon as they complete the training.
Some of them are planning to start a bakery business in the village.
“Even though we may not be able to start a big business given how small and remote our village is, we are happy that we will be able to bake for our children at home,” said Tashi Choden, one of the participants.
“We didn’t have baking ideas and training until now. But with the skills we learnt from this training, we will bake and have different types of pastries in our village,” said Dawa Dema, another participant.
The labour ministry’s village skills development programme in collaboration with the dzongkhag designed for unemployed youth is expected to make them self–sufficient.
The month-long training is conducted by the Bhutan Institute of Tourism and Hospitality and labour ministry’s regional office in Gelephu.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Phub Gyem
