Free training

"The local government of Shigatse city provides free vocational training programs to us as a poverty alleviation project," Samdrub Tsering said. "We can learn different, useful skills that will help us get jobs, from cooking and tailoring to construction."

He said three villagers who took two 60-day cooking courses opened restaurants in Namling county in 2018.

"Over the years, their annual family income has been between 20,000 yuan and 40,000 yuan," Samdrub Tsering said.

He is learning to drive a truck at a driving school, and has passed the first two levels of the four-level course.

"My plan is to get a truck driver's license as soon as possible so I can find a job driving trucks on a construction site. That way, I can get a better salary," Samdrub Tsering said.