The Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs said Thursday that it has opened a vocational center to provide training opportunities for at least 40 unattended children and people with disability. 

Officials said the ministry has invested 3 million Afs to establish the center where children and people with disability to learn repairing computers and other electronic devices.

“The aim of the center is to train the family members of martyrs and disabled and provide job opportunities for them in private and government offices. We want them to be self-reliant and save them from poverty,” said Khalid, an official of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled.

The participants of the training programs said the government should provide job opportunities for them after graduation.

“We plan to develop these programs in Kabul and other provinces to provide skills for people with disability,” said Karimullah, head of the financial and administrative department of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled.

Omid, 15, a student, said he is the breadwinner for his family. He said he lost his father three years ago.

“I feel happy that I get training here and make my future. This helps me to work and earn an income for helping my family,” said Omid.

“I ask officials to provide us more training to learn more skills,” said Hashmat, a student. 

Based on statistics, youth make up at least 60 percent of Afghanistan’s population, but the high unemployment rate has often been a challenge for them.