(ANS – Kathmandu) – On Saturday 3 March Fr Thomas Ellicherail, Provincial of “India-Calcutta” – to which the Salesian work in Nepal belongs inaugurated a new centre at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Institute at Thecho, a developing suburb of southern Kathmandu in Nepal.

The chief guest for the function was the Director of Technical and Vocational Education (CTEVT) Dr. Ram Hari Lamichhane.  Various government and Catholic Church dignitaries including Jesuit Bishop Antony Sharma of Kathmandu were present for the occasion.

Dr. Lamichhane, highlighted the importance of skill training for the youth of Nepal in the present world that is progressing. He also appreciated and thanked the Don Bosco organisation for the effort made towards the empowerment of the marginalised youth and promised CTEVT’s support to reach out to the youth in skill training. “This has been a long awaited project for poor and marginalised youth,” said the Rector of Salesian Community in Kathmandu Fr Benjamin Pampackal.

The Salesian Institute was opened in 2000, and the complex currently provides skills training for boys and girls in seven vocational training areas: modern office management, fashion designing and dressmaking, electronics, electrical maintenance, welding and fabrication and computer training,  “and more market relevant domains will be added soon,” said the Director of the Don Bosco Institute, Fr Jijo John Kanniyattukunnel.

The complex situated in two hectare plot of land has also a hostel for students and staff quarters.

The main building has nine laboratories, six classrooms, an assembly hall, offices, a conference hall and a library.

Some 300 young people between 15 and 25 years are to benefit from the vocational complex this year. The hostel facility for young people from remote villages can house 100 boys and girls.

“Even before the construction of the new technical complex started we have been running an informal computer training programme under tin sheds for youths and some training in welding and carpentry. Now with the new building we will start a formal vocational technical training programme with government recognition,” said Superintendent Br. Polycarp Ekka.

“Apart from that we have also been operating a tuition centre for over 200 children from the neighborhood to ensure that they do well in their schools,” Br Polycarp added.

Career guidance and introduction to skills training for the school children are also being organised by Don Bosco Institute, Thecho.  Some 150 youth from various colleges and schools were given a basic training in computer, fashion design, electrical and electronics and hardware maintenance in November- December 2011.

Published 05/03/2012