Economic and Social Components

Vocational Training and Income Generation

Not only has the region always been remote, but due to the lack of a road connection it was also isolated from any economic development. In essence, employment exists in the agricultural sector only, with its production usually being limited to self-subsistence; a surplus market production to generate cash income can rarely be obtained. 

This situation is changing thanks to the state's rural road construction programme, which is sponsored through foreign aid. We are now considering to help young people who have achieved their SLC, to find an employment in the region. On account of the road connection and the slowly developing electrification, there is a growing need for certain skills and professions. Examples are electricians, in the growing building sector such professions as metal workers, plumbers, joiners, but also occupations in public transport, transport of goods by road, mechanics etc.

We are inclined to finance vocational training courses on request. The Technical School in Jiri, for instance, offers three- to six-month courses in technical professions. In orientation courses, graduates are introduced to professions that are needed in the region.

Five young men were selected to participate in the first 2-months vocational training in February/March 2011 (electrician, 2 radio mechanics, joiner, photograph). After the training they were optimistic to use the obtained knowledge successfully to earn their living with it. For concrete experience it is still too early. 

Four other young men were selected for a special training in agricultural subjects (vegetables, banana, cardamom, bee-keeping).The aim is to increase the productivity, that means to produce more and in better quality on the existing plot in order to obtain a marketable surplus and thus to earn some cash income (instead of just producing enough to survive).

When the candidates ar successful it is essential that their better knowledge is spread among other villagers so that as many farmers as possible have a higher income from agriculture than before.

Moreover we have already financed the study of a young woman at the Technical School in Manthali to become a construction overseer assistantant. Through a member, we have furthermore made possible for a graduate the study to become a CMA (Community Medical Assistant) at the Technical School in Jiri. Meanwhile she has found a job at the hospital in Manthali. Another young woman has just started the study for CMA in Jiri.

Within the Worldbank-financed programme "Poverty Alleviation Fund" (PAF), hundreds of micro credits for the purchase of goats, sheep, cows and buffaloes have already been granted. This entails a growing need not only for veterinaries but for veterinary technicians as well, whose formation is possible having obtained the SLC. Here, too, we are inclined to pay for the appropriate training. Because of the significance for the local population, we are sponsoring a veterinary technician since January 2011 who is to take care of the animals specifically in Kumbu-Kasthali.