Dadeldhura. Deepak Bhattarai, 19, of Amargadhi Municipality-7 has been doing ‘painting’ work to meet his education expenses. He saves Rs 25,000 a month from this work. He has been working as a painting for about seven months with the goal of completing his graduation after passing the 12th grade.

He says that due to the financial condition of the family, he could not depend only on his family for his studies. Deepak’s brother, who is the eldest son of the house, is also studying. The financial condition of the family is not easy as his parents are involved in farming. Therefore, he said that he started working to meet his education expenses since he was admitted to the graduation level. Although it is not easy to pursue studies and work simultaneously, he aims to continue both for his future. Like Deepak, Shivaraj Bhattarai of Amargadhi-7 also earns money from painting work. He has been working in this field for the last six years and initially started painting in his free time. Now he has made it his main profession. According to Shivraj, he earns Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 a month from painting work. He says that he completes painting about four to five houses in a month. He works in groups of eight people and teaches painting skills to other people as per the need. However, he says that he will not get work for one to two months during the rainy season. Similarly, 29-year-old Chet BK of Amargadhi-7, Pokhara is also involved in painting work. After staying in India for two years in search of employment, he has started working in his own place by learning the skill of painting. BK, who has been working in this field for about a year, is happy to earn income by working in his own place. He also advised other youths to learn skills in their own place as much as possible. The experience of these youths shows that skill-based work can help in pursuing education and employment simultaneously. It can be expected that skill-oriented training, employment opportunities and programs to encourage youth can be expanded at the local level to create an environment for studying and work and also help in reducing dependence on foreign employment.