Posted On: September 28th, 2018

Title of the Project : Capacity Building through educational, vocational and awareness raising programs to enhance the living standard of persons living with disabilities in Bhutan.

Location of the project:  Thimphu Dzongkhag, Tashigang Dzongkhag

Name of the applicant: Drakstho Vocational Training Center for Special Children and Youth

Duration of the project: 12 months

Total Cost of the project (in Nu/): Nu 1,603,675.00

Objectives of the project:  To ensure young Persons with disabilities in Bhutan have quality opportunities for developing skills for life, vocation, education, and for becoming self-reliant, make a living and lead a contended life overcoming barrier created by gender or other differences.

Specific Objectives are:

• To provide Vocational and work skills training to youth with various types of disabilities
• To facilitate the students secure work with dignity
• To enhance the living standard of persons with disabilities through educational, vocational and other life skills training
• To raise awareness about the abilities of persons with disabilities focusing on their rights and various services available to them
• To create a platform for equal opportunities through vocational training and awareness campaigns
• To erase the negative embedded stigma towards persons with disabilities

Target groups/ final beneficiaries: 120 youth with disabilities registered with Draktsho

• Persons with disabilities (children and youth with all types of disabilities) will be the direct beneficiaries of this project
• Parents Support Group consisting of parents and relatives
• Teachers
• Volunteers
• Local community leaders
• Schools and colleges who will be willing to render voluntary services with regard to human resources and logistics when required

Estimated results:

Successfully trained 120 with disabilities of Draktsho in preparation of for employment

• Quality and delivery of services strengthened due to adequate supply of training equipment and materials
• Improved vocational skills of 120 students
• Self-esteem of the students enhanced as they will be motivated to learn and train for a brighter future for themselves
• Increased level of awareness about disability and its issues related nationwide
• Overall capacity of Draktsho enhanced through this project creating more awareness about the abilities of persons with disabilities rather than “disability”.
• 10 youth with disabilities ready for employment by end of the

Main activities:

• Vocational skills training for youth
• Awareness raising campaign on draft disability policy in 20 Dzongkhags
• International day of disability celebration