Inauguration Ceremony of a Vocational Training Center and Hostel for Children and Youth with Disabilities

The inauguration ceremony of the “Project for the Construction of a Vocational Training Center and Hostel for Children and Youth with Disabilities in Kanglung, Trashigang”, under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP), will be held on 3^rd September 2016, at Trashigang, Bhutan.

The ceremony will be attended by Mr. Karma Garab Dorji, Principal Draktsho East, Draktsho, the recipient organization of this grant, and Mr. Cheki Gyeltshen, Governor, Trashigang District, and relevant officials from Trashigang District, as well as Mr. Yasujiro Miyake, Counsellor, from the Embassy of Japan in Bhutan.

The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project scheme was established in 1989 to meet the diverse basic human needs in developing countries. The Government of Japan has supported Bhutan in projects such as, construction of bridges and school buildings, as well as provision of fire engines and compactor trucks.

In this project, a funding assistance amounting to 84,203 US Dollars was utilized for the construction of one Academic Block and one Hostel, in order to provide adequate educational and living environment for students with disabilities, in Kanglung, Trashigang Dzongkhag, in Eastern Bhutan.

Draktsho has been operating vocational training centers in this area for students with disabilities, but since the space for classrooms and hostels is limited, it could not accommodate any more students.  Moreover, the terrain being uneven, with steep slopes in the location of the centers, it was not a conducive environment to study and live for students with disabilities.

This project for the construction of new facilities is expected to result in an increase in the number of students, as well as to provide the center with better facilities. In addition to this, it would enable Draktsho staff to accept children with more severe disabilities, and to provide vocational training for a brighter future of the students of Draktsho.

The Government of Japan hopes this project will contribute to improving the educational and general living environment of the economically and socially vulnerable persons with disabilities, as well as contribute to their empowerment. Through the GGP Scheme, the Government of Japan looks forward to further developing the relations of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Bhutan.