50 Clean Cookstoves for Villages in Nicaragua

Dear Friends and Supporters,

 We are thrilled to report that we have almost reached our goal of installing 50 improved cookstoves in Candelaria and neighboring community of Sonzapote! To date, we have installed 35 stoves in the communities. We are now finishing up by installing the final 15. AsoFenix has also been busy training local technicians to install and maintain the cookstoves. So far they have held two training sessions with families, two training sessions with local stove constructors and promoters, and have made a number of household visits. In mid- February, we also hosted a community exchange with El Balsamo, a community in which we have been implementing improved cookstoves since 2013.These trainings will allow local technicians to provide ongoing technical support for the systems into the future.

 In addition to the cookstoves, we have been conducting reforestation education with youth in the community. From December through February, we hosted four workshops with children ages 7-14, teaching them about the function of trees in their ecosystem, climate change, and reforestation techniques. The youth collected local trees seeds and requested supplies and help from their community to establish a small tree nursery. They concluded their training by hosting a small celebration and community presentation on the importance of reforestation to their families.

 As we wrap up this project, we’d like to thank you again for your ongoing support. Thanks to your contributions, these communities will be able to save firewood and will see a significant reduction of smoke in their kitchens, improving their health and quality of life. We couldn’t have done it without you!

 All the best,

 Caitlyn