| Youth Empowerment |
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Due to the situation of the Tibetan in exile, and specially, there is better opportunity for the modern education to the Tibetan youths, every year the number of graduated students and school drop outs youths are increasing and still growing in the community. It is a pressing problem for them to find a job in accordance with their aspiration. Because of these problems, the unemployment issue is rising in our community. Specially most of the youths belongs to the poor families resulted into indulge in social hazards, and using drugs of various types causing serious problems to the individual, family and the community.
To get rid of the above problems, the Department of Home CTA had specially introduced the Youth Empowerment Programme by providing vocational training opportunities to the Tibetan youths in order to stand on their own feet in future and not to depend on others, aimed to eradicate unemployment and sustain self reliance. The Department of Home train youths on the basis of their choice of vocation or trade, qualification, and relevance of such skills in our community and employment after training. As of now trainings are provided on the following trades; Tailoring, electronics, auto mechanic, driving, beautician, photography, welding, plumbing, goldsmith, computer maintenance, hairdressing, carpentry, thangka painting, modern art, wood carving, bakery, wireman electrician, draughtsman, computer software, organic farming. These trainings are covering 28 Tibetan settlements, and plan to cover all the Tibetan settlements by 2007. This would result more coverage as well as help provide the Tibetan youths with a hope for a better future and an opportunity for a more respectful life. From Dharamsala, 3 youths had completed auto mechanic & bakery training, 5 are still undergoing trainings in tailoring, hairdressing, beautician & photography. For drug addicted youths, Tibetan Welfare Office keeps track of these youth to understand their problems and needs, to provide jobs and to start a small business. On top of that, it provides direct and indirect financial assistance for rehabilitation courses in other towns and cities in India. Alcohol addiction is a major source of problems for families, neighbors, and the community at large. Since selling of alcohol without proper license is against the law and order of the land, the Tibetan Welfare Office has banned the sale of alcohol and chang (home-made traditional beer) in the Tibetan community. The families are financially supported to sustain their lives. Adding to this, Young Tibetans in Mcleod Ganj do not directly benefit from the Tibetan and Indian Government in terms of sports and leisure activities. Therefore, the Tibetan Welfare Office set up a Youth Health Club where young Tibetans and Indians can come to take part in a fitness club. Besides this, Tibetan Children's Village Dharamsala Cantt had constructed a basketball court and children's park in Mcleod Ganj, which is maintained by the Tibetan Welfare Office . Encouraging young Tibetans to keep their physical fitness, we hope they will avoid indulging in gambling and other social hazards. |