One Hundred Darjeeling Children Appeal: Construction continues, and vocational training

As well as trying to work in the difficult rainy conditions of the monsoon, work on the orphanage build was disrupted for some weeks during the complete shutdown of the town in September due to a political dispute between the local and national authorities. All work stopped and shops and hotels were closed and as there was no transport up into the hills there were no materials to build with either. The good news is that there has been a resumption of construction although another strike is planned in late October which may lead to further shutdown.

The photos show the retaining walls which have been put in place on the lower boundary to the site and progress so far. Once finished the buildings’ occupants will have a bird’s eye view out over the valley and rooftops below.

As we wait for the monsoon to abate in Darjeeling it’s a good opportunity to take a look at some of the other activities and projects going on around the town.

The Trust supports young people in a number of different ways, including sponsoring them into college to learn new skills and improve their employment prospects. Five young people who have all lived at the boys’ orphanage are being funded to attend the Food and Craft Institute (FCI) in Darjeeling which is set up to provide training in catering technology and hospitality; with an affiliation to the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology in New Delhi the college is able to offer on-the-job placements and a good route into future employment.

Photos of two of the young men, Sushmil and Upesh, are shown here.

Sushmil Thapa

Upesh Vishkawarma

The Trust is also helping young women undertake vocational training. Alka has lived at the girls’ orphanage for a number of years and comes from a poor family. She has started training as a nurse at the Planters’ Hospital in Darjeeling on a two year course during which time she will continue to live at the orphanage with the Trust paying for her board and lodging. Meanwhile, Aishwarya whose mother is widowed and who tries to make a living by selling vegetables, is training as a lab technician at a college in Siliguri. She originally considered nurse training but changed her mind when she became really interested in undertaking lab work.