Work in the Villages Pt. II Stoves

Title: Work in the Villages Pt. II Stoves

The conditions of these villager's kitchens

So just got back from a training on stove-building. This is such a great project.

When we originally had solicited help from the NGO Hug it Forward the thought was to repair the roofs or rent land for farming. However, we realized that these are responsibilities of the government and their governmental institutions. What purpose would it serve if we were duplicating the efforts...for example -- we repair 20 sheets of tin for someone's roof, yet the following day the government comes in with 20 more. Now they have 40, and end up selling our donation. Wait, wait, wait....this was our motto.

Now that the majority of help has passed we have been doing regular visits in the community of San Jose Calderas (the worst affected village) to find out where the needs really are. Since the roofs and food issues have been solved we heard the idea of building wood-burning clean stoves. A local leader and the president of a women's group really got behind the idea -- with the goal of providing 10 stoves to some of the neediest families.

Some of the mothers who will be receiving clean-burning stoves

This ladies house is made of old corn stalks (as you can see on the right)

This poor ladies house was unbearable to be in

We liked the idea because they are projects nobody else wanted to focus on. For example, projects that often get passed over because they don't bring IMMEDIATE benefits. We want long-term.

There's several reasons this is a great project, but here's the most obvious. Now that the forest has been torched by the eruption (even though it should come back to life soon) the lack of firewood is obvious. People cooking on open-fire stoves (picture 4 cinderblocks and your s'more-roasting campfire) have to use more wood because their stove does not trap as much heat. By building wood-burning clean stoves they will save more wood, have a controlled stove fire all day, and best of all - NOT HAVE TO CUT DOWN SO MANY TREES! So this does it's part for the environment.

What is the #1 cause of deaths in Guatemala? Respiratory disease. And considering so many poor families cook their tortillas and meals in tiny confined tin shacks, this contributes alot to the problem. Ask any Peace Corps volunteer over 6 feet tall, you can't stand more than 10 seconds in these shacks without your eyes watering. And imagine inhaling that day after day. Santa climbed down the...? Chimney...That's our goal

Talking with one of the ladies of the village

That's all for now. Don Miguel signing off