Future Plans

The circumstances of the displaced communities in Dharamsala prevent easy alleviation of deprivation. Their social status, in conjunction with a low skills-base and lack of education, means that finding gainful and lasting employment is rarely possible for the majority of families.

A long term goal is to provide facilities for employability skills training for both men and women to enable their integration into the local labour market. One proposal currently under consideration is the establishment of a women's micro-finance scheme, in which skills training in local crafts will allow for the production and sale of goods for both local markets and overseas. Not only will this provide income and increase household security, it will act as a focus for women's empowerment, the effects of which will be felt in all areas of life.

We want to do something significant as a long-term tribute to Michael Blakey. Michael's last dream, one the whole Tong-Len family shared, was to buy land on which to build bigger and better hostel accommodation, skills training workshops, health facilities – all the things that he felt so passionately were needed if Tong-Len's work is to develop and expand. A fund was established to make this dream a reality. Sufficient funds have already been raised to purchase a plot of land, which in fact was bought on Michael's birthday, 27th February 2008. We are now raising funds for the building programme.