20 families in Tlamacazapa, Mexico (population 8,000) will participate in a pilot project that combines the use of ecological rocket stoves for cooking and the introduction of small intensive kitchen gardens with high nutrient vegetables and herbs. This will improve household air quality and, with time, contribute to better nutritional status and overall family health, with considerable less pressure on the surrounding forest. Continous project monitoring will allow adjustments of activities.
The rural village of Tlamacazapa is characterized by acute poverty; high illiteracy; overcrowding and constant illness; contaminated water and soil; inadequate sanitation; and alcoholism and drug use among men and male youth. The onslaught of covid19 among this vulnerable Indigenous population of 8,000+ people, whose basic income depends on palm weaving and street sales, has increased the number of individuals suffering from poverty, toxic exposures and nutrient deficiencies.
This pilot project combines two ecological interventions in 20 households: the use of ecological rocket stoves to reduce firewood consumption by 50% and smoke emission by 70%, and the introduction of small yet intensive kitchen gardens of herbs and vegetables, using protected beds and vertical towers. Higher nutrient food is grown organically, and selected for tolerance of drier conditions, familiarity, and detoxification properties, such as moringa, garlic, cilantro, parsley, spinach and kale.
In 2018, 223 (74%) of 300 households surveyed by Atzin gathered firewood in the surrounding forests as their only cooking fuel, averaging 604 trips of 25-40 kg of firewood per week (each trip taking 4-5 hours). Continued use of distributed ecological stoves reduces consumption of natural forests and toxic smoke inhalation, allows faster cooking time, and frees up time for other activities. Combined with established gardens and food preparation, families can achieve better health over time.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
