"In the present time where climate change is a global issue and is believed to post even bigger threats in the future, schools should not only teach the key concepts of sustainability but should be models for it," this is what I realize while gazing on the beautiful landscape of Mechai Bamboo School. In the past six years, I have been actively involved in helping build schools in our remotest villages where bamboo is widely available. Despite of that, our communities would still prefer a concrete building on the perception that cemented classrooms are stronger and are more beautiful than the classrooms made of indigenous materials. Mechai school looks it on the other way around. They find means to address durability and aesthetic concerns by featuring an environmentally-friendly bamboo architecture which is specially treated to last up to 80 years. If the Philippine government looks on this model, certainly the classroom shortage will be immediately addressed. Aside from the environmentally-friendly architecture of the school, the land usage and development strategies employed make this school more sustainable. They have water catchment facility to save water. Parents and students organically grow their own vegetables and raise their own livestock inside the school, a source of their free meals everyday. They have their own fruit bearing trees and fishpond. You don't need air conditioner and electric fans because you will enjoy the fresh and cool breeze of the air while you hear the chirping birds and bamboo chimes. Mechai Bamboo School is a great model to look into and I look forward that more schools will adopt it to help build a sustainable world. |
5 Comments
2/19/2014 12:41:16 pm
Bong salamat for sharing your travel blog on the bamboo school. I just love it and very interesting idea indeed! It is good to know that the bamboo structures can last up to 80 years. However, am curious on the following:
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Anne
2/19/2014 04:40:22 pm
My pleasure Ate Arjho and I hope our schools in the country can learn from their model! To answer your questions:
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2/20/2014 12:09:48 am
Oh! It's the roof what I mean...not the ceiling. Do they put bamboo on top of the metal roof too?
Anne
2/20/2014 10:26:09 am
The metal roof is hooked on the bamboo trusses so no need to put bamboo on top of the metal roof.
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Heather Trundle
2/25/2014 11:08:19 am
It's so nice to see photos of the schools you're visiting and learn more about sustainable schools!
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Anneis a member of the Blaan tribe, an indigenous group in the Philippines. Inspired by the daunting challenges of her marginalized tribe, she is committed on her quest to expose the Blaan indigenous group to a wider world by improving access to education in their villages while preserving and strengthening their cultural identity. Archives
May 2014
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