1st wood and bamboo workshop, 6th October - 15th October 2017.
Introduction
The workshop was anchored by MAMIE Foundation to train local artisans on basic skills in working with Bamboo and other woods provided by a Forest to improve their income without felling the forest trees.
Mr Graham Bell from the UK volunteered his time and was sponsored by Dr Dayo Abayomi, a Director of the Foundation, for a one-month exposure, however, his period of stay was much shorter than expected due to circumstances beyond our control.
The venue of the workshop was the Emerald Forest Reserve (EFR) which is situated in the Abayomi farm Estates (AFE) at Aworin, Ikoyi-Osun, Osun State, Nigeria. The Executive Director of AFE, Professor Akinola Abayomi, was in attendance from South Africa.
Graham settled in seamlessly and was able to adapt to the food without any problems. There were no major health issues of concerns. Graham seemed impressed with the amount of infrastructure on ground and the huge potential for developing eco-tourism with sustainable use of natural resources with the objective of forest conservation.
The Community Engagement at the palace went very well. University of Ibadan came with a full complement of 5 senior staff including a representative from the Vice Chancellor. The Kabiyesi was very welcoming and the message was reinforced several times about the importance of the forest conservation and the need for the community to protect the students when they arrive on the reserve. The King was praised for his vision and protection of the project from its inception 15 years ago and the University of Ibadan Profs told him that to host the premier University in his community was a major achievement and that Ikoyi Osun would now be placed on the global academic map. After we left we were informed that the Kabiyesi instructed all community representatives not to venture into the EFR for any reason and to stop all illegal poaching, logging or hunting. He said he has granted full protection to the project and he will curse anyone who interferes with the progress. He indicated that Ikoyi youth will benefit from the presence of UI and the community as a whole stand to reap excellent rewards.
The objectives of the 5-day workshop
1. To expose the facilitator with the Forest and its potentials.
2. To familiarise him with the peoples and possible workmen
3. To identify the type of tools required for future construction interventions
Participants:
Matthew Olojede (Carpenter)
OlaOluwa Babalola (Matthew's carpentry assistant)
Gbenga Otenaike (Experienced carpenter)
Soji Otenaike (Gbenga's son, studying carpentry in Technical College)
Hammed Adekunle (Experienced carpenter )
Quadri Hammed (Adekunle's son and his carpentry assistant)
Martine Asuni (Visiting)
Teju Alakija (Visiting)
Friday Okhiria (Oshogbo Artist)
Others were,
Damilola Ajayi (AFE Electronics Engineer, and filming crew)
Friday Daniel (AFE Transport section)
Ayomide Aduwo (AFE Forest Ranger)
James Olanihun (AFE Forest manager)
Ifeoluwa Catering and Hospitality Staff
Christiana Catering and Hospitality staff
Rachael Catering and Hospitality Staff
Outcome:
Day 1. Orientation and building wood storage and bamboo storage sheds for the cut wood and bamboo and establishing a temporary workstation.
Day 2. Exploring the use of joints and developing chairs and stools
Day 3. Building a roofed structure from bamboo and wood to serve as a .........
Day 4. construction of a bamboo and wood top table to be used in the roof-top Seminar/Meeting place. Construction of a Bamboo bed with special joints
The arrival of Dr Ladipo, another director to assess the workshop participants and give out certificates.
Day 5. taking of Inventory, Tidying up the workspace.
Giving assignments:
Identifying a bigger workspace to be prepared for future woodwork.
Digging of pits for the preservation of bamboo lengths in preparation for more bamboo works.
Identifying fallen trees to supply wood for the next phase.
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