Education Dominican Republic Project #67718

Cultivating Healthy Communities in Latin America

by GRACE Cares, Inc.

Project Report | Feb 24, 2026
Health in LATAM: 2026 Progress Update

By Rebecca Goins | Global Engagement & Development Manager

Project Hearts Community Health Program Cohort

Dear Supporters of GRACE Cares LATAM Projects,

Since our last update, both GuateBuena’s Efficient Stoves initiative in Guatemala and Project Hearts’ Community Learning Program in the Dominican Republic have reached important milestones.

Guatemala: Efficient Stoves – 100% Distribution Complete

When we last shared progress, 60% of the stoves had been delivered. We are pleased to report that all 140 high-efficiency, low-smoke stoves have now been installed, directly benefiting 140 families.

In addition to stove distribution, 3 environmental and preventive health workshops were conducted to ensure families understand proper usage, reduce firewood consumption, and prevent respiratory and visual illnesses caused by indoor smoke.

The result: safer cooking environments, lower household fuel costs, and reduced pressure on local forests. This phase is complete, but continued education and access to the efficient stoves for more families remains key priorities for 2026.

Dominican Republic: Expanding Community Health Leadership

In Baitoa and surrounding communities, Project Hearts’ Community Learning Program continues to address gender inequality and weak healthcare infrastructure through education and leadership development.

2025 Impact Highlights:

565 adults, teens, and children received health education
172 youth participated in school-based wellbeing workshops
39 community presentations delivered across 9 communities
22 essential health topics taught
8 new graduates (7 women, 1 man) completed the Community Health Leadership (CHL) course, bringing the total to 105 trained Community Health Leaders
100% of CHL students reported personal and health improvements

These leaders now provide basic care, health education, blood pressure monitoring, insulin injections, and preventive guidance at no cost to their neighbors. The goal with this program is to reduce reliance on an already strained public healthcare system.

Despite operating with limited funding, the program continues to grow in demand. Schools and churches increasingly request workshops, and graduates are stepping into leadership roles across their communities.

Looking Ahead to 2026

In Guatemala, the focus will shift toward reinforcing sustainable stove use and exploring opportunities to reach additional families still relying on open-fire cooking.

In the Dominican Republic, Project Hearts hopes to expand educational topics, including domestic violence prevention and men’s health initiatives, as well as strengthen alumni engagement for its 105 Community Health Leaders.

Your support makes it possible to move beyond short-term relief toward healthier homes, empowered women, and more resilient communities. Thank you for continuing to stand with these partner-led efforts.

GuateBuena women learn about the efficient stove.

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Nov 2, 2025
Healthy Communities in LATAM/C Progress Update

By Rebecca R Goins | Global Engagement & Development Manager

GuateBuena new stoves.

Supporting Women, Families, and Future Health Leaders in Latin America

$7,696 raised of $15,000 goal! Thank you for helping us reach the halfway mark!

Your generosity is driving progress across two partner-led efforts in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, centered on improving family health, dignity, and community resilience.

GuateBuena: Efficient Stoves & Safer Homes

Across rural Guatemala, families rely on traditional open-fire cooking that consumes significant firewood and exposes households to dangerous smoke. With your support, GuateBuena is replacing these stoves with low-consumption, low-smoke alternatives that make daily life healthier and safer.

Recent progress:

60% of stoves in the current project cycle have been manufactured and distributed
80 families now have cleaner air inside their homes
Community workshops have helped families learn how to reduce wood use and prevent illnesses caused by smoke exposure

Next milestone:
GuateBuena is on track to complete the full delivery of 140 stoves by the first week of December, improving health conditions for every family involved.

Each stove installed directly reduces respiratory risk and helps protect Guatemala’s forests for future generations.

Project Hearts: Training Community Health Leaders in Baitoa

Project Hearts continues to train local residents to become community health leaders, building lasting capacity for care. Due to Hurricane Melissa’s recent path near the region, one week of class was canceled as a precaution. Fortunately, Baitoa did not experience rain or damage, and training is still on track.

Remaining course sessions include:

Training on administering injections, including insulin
Training on taking blood pressure readings
A full course review
A final exam during the last class meeting

Leaders will receive thank-you gifts in recognition of their commitment to supporting neighbors at no cost. Graduation and a cohort dinner is being planned for early December.

By equipping these health leaders with practical skills, families can receive care sooner and potentially life-saving guidance without the burden of hospital fees.

Your Support Still Matters

These initiatives are community-led and designed. They solve challenges families face every day from clean air to accessible care. And they rely on your partnership to grow. We are just over halfway to our $15,000 goal. Your gift today will help:

Complete stove manufacturing and distribution in Guatemala
Ensure every health leader in Baitoa has the tools and support they need to graduate and serve their community

Will you help us close the gap and finish strong? Every donation gets us closer to fully funding both programs this year.

Thank you for being part of this journey toward healthier, more resilient communities.

With appreciation,

The GRACE Cares Team

Cohort 12, Project Hearts CHWs

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Jul 16, 2025
Update: Fueling Health and Hope In Two Countries

By Rebecca Goins | Global Engagement & Development Manager

"Mujeres de Maiz" to identify new stove candidates

Dear Friends,

We are happy to provide a update on our GuateBuena and Project Hearts projects in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Thanks to your generosity, our partners are making steady progress toward healthier, more resilient communities.

Guatemala - GuateBuena Project

Our partner GuateBuena continues its work to combat indoor air pollution through the distribution of fuel-efficient, eco-friendly stoves. This year, they set out to reach 100 families, providing each with a stove that reduces firewood use, protects respiratory health, and minimizes environmental degradation.

In March, GuateBuena conducted a survey with 85 families who received stoves in earlier phases of the project. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive: families reported significant benefits for their health and household finances. The families also expressed a stronger commitment to environmental conservation and reducing deforestation in their communities.

GuateBuena’s lead builder resumed construction after recovering from illness and immediately began enhancing the stove design. Coming later this summer, new models include a chimney option, improving ventilation and safety for enclosed kitchens.

Dominican Republic - Project Hearts

Meanwhile, in the Dominican Republic, our partner Project Hearts just launched its 12th Community Health Leadership (CHL) cohort. This 6-month training program equips local women with knowledge on disease prevention, chronic illness management, reproductive health, and mental well-being. These women go on to educate others in their neighborhoods, multiplying the impact tenfold.

This year’s cohort is 7-8 students, and there are some old and new faces. One returning student re-enrolled after dropping out last year due to work constraints; now a small business owner, she’s able to come back with full commitment. Classes are led by Juana, a graduate from the first CHL cohort, with guest instruction from Manuela, a WASH coordinator and nurse-in-training. Upon graduation in December, these women will have educated at least 30–35 families, with ripple effects across the community in Baitoa.

Together, your support empowers women, strengthens families, and promotes sustainable change for environmental and public health needs.

Please Consider Additional Support:

$50 supports tools and materials for a future CHL student
$75 contributes to building one eco-stove

Thank you for believing in community-led change. Now more than ever, locally driven initiatives are creating real, lasting impact in communities across both countries.

With deep gratitude,
The GRACE Cares Team

Community Health Leadership (CHL) cohort.

A GuateBuena beneficiary uses her efficient stove.

Juana (left) and YEP Coordinator, Yralma (right).

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