Chinese Government Provides Bamboo and Rattan Weaving Course for Liberians

On June 21, 2007, China Chongqing Wanzhou Company hosted the first training course for Liberians in bamboo and rattan weaving. The company seeks to develop the bamboo and rattan industry in Liberia. The project has continued through the years as result of cooperation between the Chinese and Liberian governments. The course is located in Monrovia. In 2008, 55 trainees were able to weave simple household items such as bamboo stools, chairs, beds, shelves, and baskets through the "Bamboo, Rattan Weaving and Vegetable Planting Program." Some have reached the intermediate level of weaving larger bamboo and rattan furniture. The weaving training is part of the China's effort to build up human resources capacity in Liberia. In 2018, over 800 people had been trained in this program and a furniture store was to be built to sell the materials that were made. Greenhouse technology is used to be able to grow bamboo at all times of year, and biogas containers are used to create cooking gas from the refuse of the process of growing and weaving the furniture. This initiative is ongoing. The value of these trainings is unknown. The program also involves the planting, cultivation, and promotion of Chinese vegetables. The program was indented to train the unemployed and people affected by the civil war. As of 28 August 2018, it has benefitted over 800 Liberians.

Number of official sources

10

Number of total sources

16