The use of landmines and other explosives is ever increasing in Nepal due to the decade long armed conflict. As a result, more civilians than the combatants are falling victims to the explosives. It has not only affected the civilians psychologically and physically, but also their employment and economic activities. And this has further impoverished the common people and has forced them to live an undignified life. Therefore, if social and economic rehabilitation programs cannot be carried out for them in time, it would affect their generations.

It is very difficult for those who have been maimed and disabled in explosions to rehabilitate themselves. They are deprived of the basic necessities and facilities that they had been enjoying and are also deprived of new opportunities. It is almost impossible for such people to lead their life let alone helping their family members in their livelihoods.

It is an age of computer. Computer has made inroads in Nepal too. It is easier for a computer literate person to find opportunities in many fields. Therefore, NCBL provided a three-month basic computer training to 16 mine and explosive victims of different districts with a view to enhancing their capacity so that it could help them in finding opportunities for their socio-economic rehabilitation.

The training began from 16 November 2005 and ended on 12 February 2006. 16 mine and explosives victims from 7 districts took part in it. The basic training included programs like Ms-Window, Ms-Word, Ms-Excel, Ms-Power Point, Internet and E-mail.

An instructor was chosen from among many potential candidates and the trainees were divided into two groups. One group was taught in the morning and the other in the evening with two-hour classes.

On 13 February 2006, the trainees were given certificates and the instructor a letter of appreciation amid a function.

Achievements:

This training besides providing computer knowledge to the participants also had some achievements. The training has encouraged the participants to do the following activities:

Mine victims from Dhading, Kaski, Gorkha, Gulmi, Sindhuli, Ramechhap and Rukum districts took part in the training. They got an opportunity to know mine victims like them from other districts. It emboldened their self-confidence and created a feeling in them that they could do something unitedly.

Opportunity to participate in various programs:

In course of the training, the participants also got opportunity to take part in other programs as well. They also participated in an interaction program. They also took part in inaugural function of "Landmine Resource Centre" organized by NCBL, Lighting for Sustainable Peace and Ringing the Bell" held on the occasion of Disabled Day on 3 December and "Impact of Landmine and IEDs on Education Sector".

Similarly, they also took part in the programs like "The Impact of Landmine and IEDs on Transport Sector", picnic and an inclusion program for the development of the disabled organised by the National Federation of the Disabled. They not only shared their views on those occasions, but also gave interviews to the journalists of various media.

The participation of the mine and explosive victims in those programs has helped in raising awareness about landmine and IEDS, encourage various organisations to work in this field and in exerting pressure on the government and the Maoists to band the use of landmine.

Suggestions for carrying out detailed long-term computer courses and for conducting vocational training programs for the victims were also received following the completion of the training.

Conclusion:

To sum up, this three-month long computer training has become result-oriented. All the participants have termed this training as excellent. They are happy to receive this training and have expressed the views that they would do something in the future.

At last, we would like to thank, K D Cofield Estate, Australian Network, instructor Dipak Kumar Paudel, all the participants, NCBL staff and all the volunteers for their contribution.