The ‘Organic Bamboo School’ under the guidance of NESFAS (Garo Team) received Rs 1 lakh from Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on January 21, 2020, as part of the Chief Minister’s ‘E Champion Challenge’. The Government of Meghalaya along with the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship introduced the programme in August 2019 for budding entrepreneurs to encourage eco-friendly businesses and to promote youths of the state by providing them opportunities of entrepreneurship in the state.
Chenxiang Rimchi N Marak, Associate at NESFAS and a Fellow of the TIP Youth Fellowship Programme, assisted the youth of Darechikgre to design the project plan –Organic Bamboo School–along with members; Benibirth B Marak, Serifer B Marak, Adriel B Marak, and Penam B Marak.
On the other hand, the team also works with 15 communities in West Garo Hills and had identified several youths from Darechikgre, who are skilled in bamboo weaving. These youths also have the vision of protecting the forest by replanting those bamboo trees for reviving.
Out of 700 applicants, the group was selected for the top 100 ‘E Champion Challenge’ and was initially shortlisted for the top 50. On January 21, 2020, the organic bamboo school entered the top 25 and received Rs. 1 lakh from the chief minister of Meghalaya, which will be used for expanding the bamboo school.
The bamboo school concept was introduced by NESFAS to the community in the year 2019 for bamboo artisans.
