Construct 150 fuel-efficient stoves in Guatemala

Summary

Build 150 fuel-efficient stoves to alleviate serious respiratory infections and other diseases that affect women and children while reducing firewood extraction from vital forests.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Smoke from traditional stoves threatens the health of women and children, and is one of the leading causes of death in the developing world. These stoves also require greater firewood consumption, resulting in the degradation of critical tropical forests. EcoLogic will work with participating families living near the community forest of Totonicapan to build fuel-efficient stoves, reducing respiratory illness in the home and conserving forests by reducing the demand for firewood.

How will this project solve this problem?

The project will reduce deforestation and soil degradation typically caused by firewood harvesting and consumption by providing technical assistance for the construction of 150 new fuel-efficient stove, which includes training, conducting learning exchanges between new and established user communities to share experiences of early adopter communities, and obtaining a commitment from participating households to engage in longer term forest stewardship.

Potential Long Term Impact

In addition to health benefits for individual families, we hope to conserve forests by reducing firewood consumption in Totonicapan. Training and empowering the communities will help ensure long-term sustainable management of their natural resources.

Project Message

"My family does not get eye and lung infections like they used to when there was smoke in the kitchen, I have experienced fewer burns, and I no longer suffer from back pain."
- Serbelia Grave Caal, New owner of a fuel-efficient stove

Resources

Donate by US Mobile Phone