As the bell for class rings, the footpath at Draktsho vocational training center teems with students on wheelchairs and other differently-abled children making their way to class.
In their respective classes, students are seen learning various skills like weaving and tailoring while some are simply studying.
Tashi Dorji, a student at Draktsho said he used to spend most of his leisure time alone in bed unable to live a satisfactory life.
However, his days of gloom ended when the rovers scouts from Sherubtse College started providing aid at the center.
“The scouts help us clean our rooms and sometimes they give us clothes. They also keep us engaged by interacting with us during the weekends,” said Tashi Dorji.
Like him, Rigzin Dorji, another Draktsho member said that though he is physically disabled, the scouts make him feel special and blessed. “When the scouts interact with us, we feel like part of the community.”
Dawa Dema, a scout coordinator said that the scouts render services to the community and especially at Draktsho because helping the disabled students gives them a deep sense of happiness and satisfaction.
“For instance, we donate clothes from college students to the members,” she said.
The scouts plan to provide more social services to Draktsho. One of their first plans is to make the footpath wheelchair-friendly.
Yeshey Dema, a scout said she feels useful about spending her weekends in a productive way by helping at Draktsho.
Moreover, she said that such activities keep students away from unhealthy past-times.
Till now, the scouts have helped Draktsho construct its kitchen and dining hall, provided clothing, helped during the World Autism Day and more recently, the scouts cleaned the hostels.
There are more than 100 scout members in Sherubtse College while more than 70 students avail educational, vocational, life and other social skills training at Draktsho East Center.
Draktsho was established in Kanglung in 2015.
Jigme Wangchen from Kanglung, T/gang
