Vocational training
Every one needs a vocation to keep occupied and to make a living. It results in
either employment, or self-employment. But social stigma attached with leprosy makes
it difficult for affected patients and their children to find equal opportunities to excel
in life. When the disease manifests itself in the form of visible patches, deformity
and ulcers, finding a suitable vocation becomes even more difficult!
Vocational training aims at improving socio-economic standards of the affected
group. The ultimate aim is to help promote human dignity and self dependency.
Since most people who come are from rural and poor backgrounds, and they are largely
non-educated, non-formal training certainly helps. The training period can range from
2 months to 2 years.
Nagesware's story
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Training Centres
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Courses
Nagesware's
story
Nageswara Roa is from Kottipalli
village. Local government health workers were treating his father and referred him
to TLM for treatment. His hands had become so clawed that he had to give up his work
as a tailor. Roa was sent to the Vocational Training Centre and chose to study radio
and TV mechanics.
Now he has a thriving business. He buys old TV sets and strips
them down and makes new ones from the old parts. He earns about 1500 rupees a month
and is able to provide for his family.
VTC Vocational Training
Centres
At present The Leprosy Mission operates
6 VTC (vocational training centres) in
India.
Ever since VTC Nasnik was initiated in 1979, other VTC's in Champa, Vizianagraam,
Vadathorasalur and Bankura, have been developed to serve people affected by leprosy in
different regions of India. A sixth, VTC Faizabad covers the
needs of the north of the country.
So far 2637 students have completed their training at TLM-administered VTC's.
Courses
Different VTC's offer different courses depending on the
needs in that particular area. But courses generally include areas of training in
things like
- computer training
- stenography
- diesel mechanics
- radio/television
- Rexene bag making
- light motor vehicle driving
-
car battery making
- masonry
Nagamani is learning a trade as a tailoress to
give her and her family independence, since their is no unemployment or sickness
benefit in India.
