The Australian High Commission in New Delhi granted more than Nu 1.1m to the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre in Thimphu yesterday.
The money will be used mainly to buy training materials. “The project actually is to support the existing projects,” Gaden Chophel, the Programme Coordinator of Draktsho said.
“We want to strengthen our training materials so that the students can gain vocational skills that would help them lead independent lives.”
This is the second time the Australian High Commission donated money to the centre.
The Draktsho Vocational Training Centre is a nonprofit organisation that aspires to enhance the living standard of children and youth with disabilities through empowerment by training, and eventual integration with the mainstream population.
Its main focus is to equip the trainees with vocational skills to enhance their opportunities for gainful employment.
It also aims to build their self-esteem and self-reliance, thereby making them more independent, confident and contributing members of the society.
The centre currently equips its students with skills in tailoring, painting, weaving and embroidery among others.
Since its inception in 2001, the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre has trained over 40 students who today work with different agencies.
Currently, there are 160 students with various disabilities at the centre that also has a branch in Rongthung in Trashigang.
