We provide maintenance throughout the lifetime of each stove, offering replacement parts at-cost. For families that cannot afford replacement parts, we have a small fund. Indigenous communities in Guatemala are hard-hit by the pandemic. Nowadays, very few families are able to afford important replacement parts. We are asking for your support to grow this fund and ensure even the most vulnerable families continue to have well functioning stoves.
Families need replacement chimneys and combustion chambers. With the economic repercussions of the pandemic, many are struggling to make ends meet. Moreover, indigenous Guatemalans disproportionately bear these negative economic impacts. The informal economy, a primary source of income for many, is struggling. Tourism, another large source of income, is now largely non-existent. Without reliable income, rainy day funds have been used up. Replacement parts are simply unaffordable for many.
Wear and tear over the years can lead to broken stove parts. To ensure TRL cookstoves continuously perform in tip top shape, we will replace damaged parts. This is a service we offer even several years after installation. Parts are usually offered at-cost, but times are tougher than ever these days. With adequate funds to cover the costs of the replacement pieces, we can make sure all TRL stoves continuously deliver prime health, economic and environmental benefits.
Repairs offer long-term climate, health and economic benefits. A stove with a damaged combustion chamber is much less efficient -- and our stove owners notice. When ignored, this can easily lead to frustrations that may result in permanent stove damage. It's a loss for both the family and local forests. A replacement avoids additional CO2 emissions and enables savings on wood fuel. A new chimney improves efficient airflow and eliminates dangerous particles and carbon monoxide from the home.
