"Project Bamburas"

"PROJECT BAMBURAS"

Using Bamboo to Generate Economic Opportunities for the Women of Rural Honduras.

In 2022, Esperanzas Unidas planted 7 acres of bamboo.

A historically indigenous plant in Central America, bamboo has been waiting for rediscovery, revealing the infinite amount of environmental and economic benefits that it has to offer. Esperanzas Unidas has collaborated with local and international agricultural and sustainable building experts to create a solid plan that allows for bamboo to provide the basis for the change that we are helping to create in Honduras.

Once matured, this bamboo will be used to create business endeavors for women through the construction of bamboo homes, posts, furniture and artisan projects.

Project: "Bamboo in My Backyard"

This innovative project promotes the planting and cultivation of bamboo in the different villages that Esperanzas Unidas works with. It gives families the opportunity to plant bamboo in their yards, and with limited effort, provides the benefit of generating income through the sale of that bamboo once mature. Because bamboo plants will continue to regenerate themselves, these plants will provide a source of revenue for the families for years to come.

This project also includes the added bonus of contributing positive benefits to the environment, with increased land stabilization in the villages to prevent future landslides, and through the absorption of carbon dioxide.

WHY BAMBOO?

Bamboo is a Renewable Resource.

Many trees take at least forty years to mature, bamboo can be harvested in three to five years, and can grow more than 3 feet each day! Once harvested, a new shoot will be born from the root system with no additional planting needed.

Bamboo Heals the Environment

Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than an equivalent hardwood tree.

Unlike other crops, bamboo does not need fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides to grow.

Bamboo roots remain in place after harvesting, retaining the nutrients for the next crop, and preventing the topsoil from being washed away by rainfall.

Bamboo is Versatile

Paper, flooring, furniture, charcoal, food, building materials, and much more can be made from bamboo.

Due to its light weight and elasticity, bamboo is a popular construction material in areas where earthquakes and hurricanes are common, as it absorbs the shocks of seismic activity and high winds far better than concrete, steel, or wood structures.

COLLABORATION WITH THE CASSA COMPANY

Esperanzas Unidas is proud to be collaborating with the CASSA Company of Guatemala, a leader in innovative and sustainable construction techniques using bamboo.

In the Spring of 2022, CASSA supplied Esperanzas Unidas with the bamboo to plant on our land in Honduras. They also managed the construction of a prototype bamboo home, benefiting a family of financial need, as well as providing the platform for the further construction of affordable and sustainable bamboo homes in Honduras.

CASSA also engaged in a series of trainings for the Esperanzas Unidas staff, volunteers, and groups of women from the different villages we work with in how to manufacture bamboo products.

Click Here to learn more about the CASSA company.

Environmental Projects