Safe, Energy Efficient Cookstoves in Guatemala

We are happy to report that our stove work continues to advance thanks to continued support of this important project for children and families that need it most! 

For us, advancement not only relates to any new interventions and ideas we are implementing, but also all the effort and results related to ensuring that our existing investments continue to be effective and protecting children. That's right, we're not just installing and piloting new stoves, we are also continually working to make sure that our older stoves stay functioning and keeping smoke out of homes. That means monitoring, technical assistance, and most importantly empowering families with the knowledge and skills to repair and replace parts of their stoves so they can maintain them in safe, good working condition independently of HRI. 

In addition, our pilot of a new design by Estufa Chispa is a big hit in schools. So far we have installed a total of four new stoves in two new school kitchens and two more stoves will soon be installed at a third school - totaling 6 stoves. This is providing a great opportunity for many mothers to try this new stove design and function, while ensuring the respiratory health as they generously donate their time cooking for all the school children. So farm we have received very positive feedback from schools and we are actively strategizing how we will best translate this new type of wood burning stove into home settings in the near future.

Without this project hundreds of children and their families would be still be suffering from the life-threatening effects caused by indoor air pollution. Thank you for partnering with us and being a part of the solution. We look forward to reaching more families and schools needing relief from this preventable problem. Stay tuned!

We are thrilled to be entering a new phase in our work to bring safer, more efficient cookstoves to vulnerable families in Guatemala. As we look to the future, we want to ensure that we are using the best stove design in the communities we serve and that our methods are always advancing.

In order to do this, we have undertaken a review of our current stoves as well as various other designs on the market and in use in Guatemala and after much consideration we have decided to pilot a stove by Estufa Chispa. In late March, we installed two stoves to be used and tested by mothers in a school kitchen where we implement our school feeding program. After 3 months of using this new design on a daily basis, we will get formal feedback from the mothers on their experience.

We are optimistic that partnering with Guatemalan based companies like Estufa Chispa, who specialize in the the technical aspects of stove design, will help us to take the implemtation, monitoring and behavior change aspects of our stove initiative to the next level. As always, we are working to balance the cultural and practical needs of families with cirtical health and safety. 

Thank you for following us on our journey and for your continued support. Stay tuned for updates! 

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