The Bamboo 4 Africa initiative is here to bridge the gap in skills and knowledge needed to enable optimal and sustainable utilisation of bamboo in Kenya.

From January 21 to February 15 2025, local and international participants will have the opportunity to learn to manage bamboo clumps to ensure straight culm growth, to convert thinnings into Biochar, to harvest and treat bamboo affordably using an innovative set-up, and to make small structural buildings suitable for the ecotourism sector using sustainable bamboo construction design principles. The 22 day program will be documented in a Training Video captured and produced during the Phase 2 Bamboo 4 Africa Training Program.

In Kenya, bamboo can play a pivotal role in redefining community livelihoods and promoting sustainability. However, the potential of bamboo resources is underutilized due to poor management and lack of skills: There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding sustainable bamboo management. Many farmers are unaware of how to cultivate bamboo effectively, leading to poorly maintained clumps that compete for space with other crops and land uses. In fact, some farmers have considered removing bamboo from their properties due to these challenges and Kenya has of late lost 1/3 of the bamboo plantings put down originally through government initiatives 8-10 years ago.

Training programs are crucial to teach effective bamboo management and treatment methods, enabling communities to build sustainably and reduce pressure on forests while enhancing rural economies through eco-tourism and job creation in the bamboo industry. Proper management will not only improve the growth rate and quality of the bamboo but also ensure that it becomes a valuable resource for the community and local economy.

Not only that,  but management systems and strategies need tobe developed to ensure optimal resource utilisation occurs in a fair and equitable manner and meets the broader reaches of becoming the sustainable building material of the future… that means building community – not only physical buildings; not only jobs,  but but regenerative livelihoods.

Here’s the Low-Down!!!

In January 2025, Jaye Irving, expert bamboo architect and skills trainer, is heading to Meru, Kenya, to lead the Phase 2 Bamboo 4 Africa Training Program. This 22-day, 2 Module program (starting January 21st, 2025) will cover:

○ Bamboo Clump Management, Maintenance & Biochar Production

○ Innovative Low-Cost Treatment Techniques

○ Post-processing and materials preparation

○ Small Building Construction Skills

In MODULE 1 of the (Phase 2) training, expert Jay Irving will cover essential techniques for managing bamboo clumps. This includes thinning out overgrown stands to promote healthier growth and utilizing the thinnings to create biochar, which enhances soil quality and provides an alternative cooking fuel to wood. Proper management will not only improve the growth rate and quality of the bamboo but also ensure that it becomes a valuable resource.

MODULE 2 focuses on sustainable bamboo construction and  incorporating bamboo into local architectural designs, promoting eco-tourism and alternative livelihoods centered around bamboo craftsmanship. This not only empowers individuals with new skills but also creates employment opportunities within the burgeoning bamboo industry. 

https://www.gofundme.com/static/js/embed.js

This is a collaborative effort to bring affordable and accessible bamboo knowledge and practical skills to Africa, empowering local communities and creating opportunities for optimisation of the coming-of-age resource planted 8-10 years ago across Kenya. And to enable utilisation and value-addition of bamboo in Kenya through sustainable resource management and development of skills and economic opportunities in bamboo construction. (See https://bamboo4africa.org)

This training is just the beginning—as mini-experts will be trained to go on and train others at subsequent training sessions in surrounding areas and we will be working with ICOSEED Kenya to assist in coordination of the trainings and in developing a Community Resource Management strategy for riparian plantings of bamboo on government land. We are also evolving an international conversation around partnerships between farmers/ land owners, the CRM community, artisians and builders around creating cooperative bamboo economic development opportunities. 

Further, future programs are planned and include a full-scale harvest and bamboo treatment (phase 1) and a Bamboo/Earth cottage build (phase 3) later in 2025, with plans to expand to other African countries.

We invite you to support this initiative and share bamboo knowledge and skills through:

1) Pre-purchasing the  Documentary-Film  being produced through this training event available now exclusively for USD$50  (Retail price: USD$175)

2) Signing up for the  Online Live Training Sessions in January-February 2025 (Local African USD$20/ African Business USD$50/ International USD$75)

3) Joining as a Local Participant from Africa, an African Business or  International attendee of the 22 day training program in Kenya. (See https://bamboo4africa.org/outline)

We’ve just launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of bringing Jaye, our lead trainer, to Anabas Resort in Meru, Kenya where the training is being held. Funds raised will also assist transport and food costs for people from neighbouring regions to attend the training as well as to purchase tools for participants and fund future Phase 1 and Phase 3 trainings which are currently on-hold.

Your support can make this happen!

https://www.gofundme.com/static/js/embed.js

Donate >USD$50 and receive the DOCUMENTARY FILM “Bamboo 4 Africa” (release date: July 2025)

Join us in making bamboo a sustainable, affordable, and accessible resource for everyone! 

 Support us here: https://gofund.me/eec51dca

Be part of the conversation!If you’re interested in connecting, becoming involved, or helping to reach more ears, eyes and hands, kindly DM for a meeting.

By pre-ordering the documentary or subscribing to our online course, you can join us in building a better future for bamboo in African countries.  There is a sign-up /registration form on the Bamboo4Africa website where you can register as a participant, sponsor, volunteer, NGO or entrant for the design competition we will be launching from next week.

Harnessing Bamboo’s Potential Rapidly renewable and with a readily available local resource, bamboo offers a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials in Kenya – where the Government began incentive programs for planting bamboo 10 years ago. The Bamboo 4 Africa program is committed to teaching practical skills for bamboo cultivation/management, harvesting, and construction, equipping participants with the knowledge to turn this under-utilised resource into economic opportunity. Our program will be led by Jaye Irving, a barefoot architect who has over 20 years experience building with bamboo in developing countries around the world.

Building Skills, Building Futures The training program, running from January 21st to February 15th, 2025, is structured in two modules, each offering participants hands-on experience in bamboo utilization. The curriculum covers everything from bamboo clump management and treatment to the construction of resilient, eco-friendly structures. By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to apply these techniques in their communities, fostering self-sufficiency and innovation.

Documenting Our Journey We are thrilled to document this journey in a forthcoming training video/documentary. This film will showcase the practical applications of bamboo, covering the training topics and highlighting the program’s impact on participants and their communities. By pre-ordering this documentary, you can support this groundbreaking project and gain insight into the possibilities bamboo holds for local economic development and training a bamboo workforce. Highlights of the training include improving stand quality through: Optimal clump thinning; Constructing a hyperboloid tower for treating bamboo by Vertical Soak Diffusion method inexpensively; making Biochar, and; Building small (8-10sqm) bamboo structures suitable for the eco-tourism and hospitality sectors.

Learn with Us Online In collaboration with the Bamboo Resource Centre in Kenya, we are also launching an online training course. This platform provides access to a wealth of knowledge on bamboo construction for just $20 (local), $50 (African business), or $75 (International). Subscribers will have access to the Live Training program in January/February 2025 – and also lead-up talks and interviews during December via Facebook Group. Learn how to effectively use bamboo, and become empowered to make a tangible impact in your community!

Get Involved We invite you to join us in this journey. By supporting our program you’re helping us pave the way for a sustainable, locally driven future. Pre-order the video-documentary, subscribe to our online course, and join us in building a brighter, greener future with bamboo.

Visit https://bamboo4africa.org

 to learn more about our program and discover how you can be part of this transformative initiative.

The Bamboo4Africa Training (https://Bamboo4Africa.org) is about skill-building resilience and economic futures for communities through utilisation of the Bamboo resources that exist (mostly planted 8-10 years ago through Kenyan government initiatives).

You can join us in person and as international attendee, bring a friend for free 🙂 or as a local business (African) or local attendee.
Sign up at :
https://forms.gle/MUF4oGJkz6caScKs8

Or join us online for various sessions through the training which will be uploaded for viewing in our online Facebook Group. See our GoFundMe campaign at 🔗 https://gofund.me/eec51dca

• All donations over AU$30/ US$20 will receive access to the online training !!!

You can support also us by prepurchasing the DocoFilm we will be making through the program at https://bamboocreative.myecomshop.com/product/bamboo-4-africa-content-documentary/

Bamboo can become a valuable resource and building material! Let’s build the best bamboo future for humanity !!

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