CORPORATE NEWS
Bamboo stands out as a cost-effective, abundantly available, eco-friendly, and fast-to-build material.”
December 7, 2025 – Bago, Myanmar – The visit to the bamboo treatment facility in Bago was an eye-opening experience that expanded our understanding of how traditional materials, when combined with proper treatment and technical knowledge, can meet modern infrastructure needs. Seeing firsthand how bamboo and wood are treated to withstand insect damage, moisture, and environmental stress revealed the real possibility of extending the lifespan and usability of these materials far beyond common assumptions. This approach transforms bamboo from a temporary solution into a reliable construction material suitable for long-term, multi-purpose structures—an important consideration for community-based learning facilities.
For the Mary K Yap Foundation, this visit directly supports our ongoing planning for the orphanages we serve across Myanmar. The Foundation envisions the development of computer-aided E-Learning Centers within orphanage compounds—safe, functional spaces that can accommodate 15 to 20 students at a time. These centers are designed not only for digital learning but also for flexible use, including tutoring, skills training, and community education. The durability achieved through bamboo treatment makes it feasible to build structures that can evolve with the needs of the children and the communities they serve.
Prototype designs and built by Housing NOW
This initiative is a key component of the Foundation’s 10-year vision to establish 50 E-Learning Centers throughout Myanmar. Achieving this scale requires solutions that are both financially and environmentally sustainable. Bamboo stands out as a cost-effective, abundantly available, eco-friendly, and fast-to-build material, making it suited for wide deployment in rural and semi-urban areas. By incorporating bamboo into our construction strategy, we can significantly reduce costs while maintaining quality, allowing donor contributions to reach more children and communities over time.
Bamboo Treatment Testing Center
Borax-Boric Acid Treatment Tank
Bamboo Heat-Treatment Kilns
Bamboo offers a rare combination of strength, sustainability, and accessibility. When properly treated, it allows us to build learning spaces that are resilient, affordable, and deeply connected to local environments—exactly what orphanage communities need for long-term digital education.”
Dr. Jean Luc Kouyoumji
World Bamboo Congress Ambassador and Board Member of Mary K Yap Foundation
In line with this vision, the Foundation plans to work closely with local bamboo contractors and skilled craftsmen, supporting local livelihoods while ensuring that construction knowledge and ownership remain within the communities themselves. This collaborative approach not only strengthens community capacity but also promotes long-term sustainability, self-reliance, and locally driven development outcomes.
Proposed Build of Quantities for Bamboo Housing Unit (1x Unit)
This work is fully aligned with the Mary K Yap Foundation’s #Road2Digital campaign, which aims to promote inclusive digital learning opportunities for children living in orphanages. By integrating sustainable materials with digital infrastructure, the Foundation advances multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals championed by the Board, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive approach—building not just structures, but resilient pathways to education, opportunity, and a more sustainable future for Myanmar’s most vulnerable children.
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