Draktsho previously known as 'Drak-Tsho Vocational Training Centre for the  (DVTCD)' is now registered as Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth or simply Draktsho. Draktsho is a combination of two Dzongkha words “Drak” and “Tsho” meaning “cliff” or “high mountain” and “sea” or “ocean” respectively. Put together, Draktsho is supposed to describe the height and the depth of its goals and aspirations. Draktsho is supposed to signify its aspiration as high as the mountain and its commitment as deep as the ocean in the service of the disabled children and youth. Draktsho strongly believes that everybody has the right to be independent and equal, has the power to choose, and to live their lives to the fullest potential. Disability is prevalent and affects all age groups. Although attitudes towards disabled people and other minority groups within our society are changing and becoming more positive, there still seems to be an immense lack of understanding about disability as “disadvantaged individuals” whose disabilities cause “suffering.” It is the environment that imposes constraints preventing people with disability from running their lives in a way equal to non-disabled people.

Draktsho was established on 2nd October 2001, with the blessings of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, the President of the Youth Development Fund (YDF) and the Royal Patron of Draktsho. The centre was funded by the YDF till the end of 2009. The credit of Draktsho’s success goes to Her Majesty personally for having confidence in the founder, the staff and the management of the project. Draktsho is extremely grateful to Her Majesty and the YDF for giving full support despite many discouragements and scepticism.

After nine years of operation, Draktsho was finally registered as a civil society organization (CSO) under Bhutanese law on 26th November 2010 and received the certificate of recognition in a ceremony on 20, December 2010. Draktsho is the first of its kind in the country; it’s a service-oriented CSO which aspires to enhance the living standard of disabled youth through empowerment by training, and eventual integration with the mainstream population. Its main focus is to equip the trainees with vocational skills to enhance their opportunities for gainful employment. It also aims to build their self-esteem and self-reliance, thereby making them more independent, confident and contributing members of the society. Draktsho encompasses opportunities that allow them to grow in their aptitude, determination, goals and dreams. One of the greatest challenges for the Draktsho is to erase the deeply embedded stigma where people think that the disabled cannot learn and earn a living.

The Government is providing education to children with visual and hearing impairment, through special institutions and inclusive education projects in some schools. However, many persons with disabilities, especially those with intellectual impairment, are unable to avail these.  The work undertaken by Draktsho in vocational training and employment of persons with disability helps supplement the Government initiatives in a significant manner.

To further develop the institution, and in particular to develop in-house capacity in special needs education, the Centre is keen to establish contact with potential donors, specialist institutions or individuals with interest in helping us in this ground breaking work in Bhutan. If you can contribute by donating or would like to learn more about the Centre, please contact us.