Steemit Philippines "A Walk of Hope" First Project: "Bamboo Plantin...

Years ago, a young Filipino guy who grew up in the US decided to permanently stay in the Philippines and have his own business. It's from him that I have ever seen anyone using a bambike. This memory have a been of long ago, resurfacing when Marlon aka Hive account@flabbergast-art mentioned that the other artist who will be walking with him in this tour , Tatay Dagsa, have toured the country in a bambike years ago.

Has anyone ever riden one?

Tatay Dagsa makes a living creating bamboo products in Bayawan City, in the Philippines. Although the whole country is full of bamboos, not a lot of our provinces have plantations of them. As for Tatay Dagsa and his community, these bamboos are bought elsewhere, rather than harvested for free to maximise their income.

Creating bamboo crafts in Bayawan City.

Bamboo planting in Bayawan

Now, this is all of Marlon's idea to be our first project when we do "A Walk of Hope" this year, commencing in April to help the community's livelihood. The plan is to do this by early to mid-April. As harvesting will be in a year's time, Marlon will be staying in Bayawan City this April for a few weeks. This will give him enough time to think of other innovations and products to be made, as per request of the local government (LGU). They will be also be involved throughout the tour and so with other groups who have been accommodating to Marlon.

Tatay Dagsa's community have been promoting their products in trade fairs around the country, although exports are still to be decided and in the works.

Just one of their crafts from Bayawan City.

Funds

Each bamboo sprout costs about P30, amounting to about $.60 cents. Although we have a target amount, we are hoping to raise more. Whatever the payout of this post will fund this project, together with other volunteers who are also raising funds and Hive account@steemph.

For any donations, please feel free to send them to Hive account@steemph. Thank you very much.

Disclaimer: image taken from calfeedesign.com

Remember that young man? Another Filipino, an educator from LA found his way back to the Philippines. Inspired by working with the designer Calfee in Hollywood, a collaboration with a group in Bayawan City resulted in bamboo bike creations. With just the plain bamboo frame, it cost about $500.

Who wants one?

All these after the Hive account@steemph.negros meet-up on March 31st in Dumaguete City, Marlon will then proceed to Bacolod City from Bayawan to kick start the "Walk of Hope" tour. Please join us!