Protect Guatemalan Forests with Clean Cookstoves

At Tu’ik Ruch’ Lew (TRL), we may be a small team, but together we are carrying out big work. Our mission is to help families in Santiago Atitlán breathe cleaner air, cook safely, and care for the environment that sustains us all. Thanks to your support, this year has already been full of meaningful progress, and we are honored to share it with you.

From January to August 2025, our team has:

• Installed 65 eco-stoves, giving families an alternative to smoky open fires. Each stove means less coughing, fewer respiratory problems, and a healthier home for women and children.
• Made more than 690 household visits. These visits include follow-ups, maintenance, education, and site assessments to make sure that every stove is being used effectively and continues to improve family life.
• Completed 4 repairs and 5 reinstallations, ensuring that no family is left behind when a stove needs attention.

But the true story lies beyond the numbers. Every installation means a mother no longer cooks over an open fire that fills her kitchen with smoke. Every follow-up visit brings reassurance that families are cared for and supported. Every demonstration shows that change is possible, practical, and life-giving.

Much of this work in the field is carried out by Candelaria and Isa. They walk alongside families during installations, offering patient guidance and care and demonstrations, explaining how the stoves work and why they matter, often with a warm smile that makes neighbors stop and listen. Meanwhile, the rest of our staff serve faithfully behind the scenes—coordinating, planning, and ensuring that each day in the field runs smoothly.

Behind every number is the effort of a united team. Each of us has a different role, but together we share one mission: to improve lives while protecting the forests and the land we all depend on.

We are grateful for your continued support, which makes this work possible. Your generosity is not only bringing stoves to homes—it is bringing health, hope, and a cleaner environment for future generations.