To support opportunities for youth to develop their physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities, a youth centre was opened yesterday in Kabesa, Thimphu. 

The youth centre would provide opportunities for youth to experience achievements, leadership, friendship, and recognition to become productive and responsible, respecting and resilient citizens. 

The centre established at Nu 1 million would provide facilities and services such as a library, indoor games, internet, printing, binding and lamination facilities.

Department of Youth and Sports (DYS) and Thimphu dzongkhag administration established the youth centre, which would be open from 10am to 6pm from Tuesday to Sunday. 

Education secretary Karma Yeshey said the centre would provide a positive safe and conducive environment for recreational and social activities, programmes and projects, access to information on youth related issues and access to counseling and referrals for both the youth and their families. 

Chief programme officer with DYS, Rinzin Wangmo said the centre was opened in Kabesa as the department found that there were many youth living in Kawang gewog including students from public and private schools in the area. 

“We found that there are lot of young people living here because the housing here is affordable and there are bus services,” Rinzin Wangmo said. “Having such facilities here would mean that the young people would not have to go to Thimphu town or even Taba to browse the internet, print some documents for their project work, or even to look for employment.” 

Rinzin Wangmo said that if there is a youth centre near, young people would come to the youth centre and spend their time productively, making friends and discussing issues, which are important to them “We also organise regular youth forums where we raise awareness on issues that are crucial to them such as substance abuse and unemployment.”

The director general of DYS, Gholing Tshering said that one of the main aims of youth forum is to let the youth talk among themselves as they would be in a better position to find solutions to youth related issues. 

The local government would manage the youth centre while DYS would provide technical support and look for funds for the centre. 

There are 13 youth centres in the country, of which Thimphu has the maximum with four centres. 

Karma Cheki