Cultivating Healthy Communities in Latin America

Dear Supporters of GRACE Cares LATAM Projects,

Since our last update, both GuateBuena’s Efficient Stoves initiative in Guatemala and Project Hearts’ Community Learning Program in the Dominican Republic have reached important milestones.

Guatemala: Efficient Stoves – 100% Distribution Complete 

When we last shared progress, 60% of the stoves had been delivered. We are pleased to report that all 140 high-efficiency, low-smoke stoves have now been installed, directly benefiting 140 families.

In addition to stove distribution, 3 environmental and preventive health workshops were conducted to ensure families understand proper usage, reduce firewood consumption, and prevent respiratory and visual illnesses caused by indoor smoke.

The result: safer cooking environments, lower household fuel costs, and reduced pressure on local forests. This phase is complete, but continued education and access to the efficient stoves for more families remains key priorities for 2026.

Dominican Republic: Expanding Community Health Leadership 

In Baitoa and surrounding communities, Project Hearts’ Community Learning Program continues to address gender inequality and weak healthcare infrastructure through education and leadership development.

2025 Impact Highlights:

• 565 adults, teens, and children received health education

• 172 youth participated in school-based wellbeing workshops

• 39 community presentations delivered across 9 communities

• 22 essential health topics taught

• 8 new graduates (7 women, 1 man) completed the Community Health Leadership (CHL) course, bringing the total to 105 trained Community Health Leaders

• 100% of CHL students reported personal and health improvements

These leaders now provide basic care, health education, blood pressure monitoring, insulin injections, and preventive guidance at no cost to their neighbors. The goal with this program is to reduce reliance on an already strained public healthcare system.

Despite operating with limited funding, the program continues to grow in demand. Schools and churches increasingly request workshops, and graduates are stepping into leadership roles across their communities.

Looking Ahead to 2026 

In Guatemala, the focus will shift toward reinforcing sustainable stove use and exploring opportunities to reach additional families still relying on open-fire cooking.

In the Dominican Republic, Project Hearts hopes to expand educational topics, including domestic violence prevention and men’s health initiatives, as well as strengthen alumni engagement for its 105 Community Health Leaders.

Your support makes it possible to move beyond short-term relief toward healthier homes, empowered women, and more resilient communities. Thank you for continuing to stand with these partner-led efforts.

Links:

• GuateBuena's page on GRACE Cares
• Project Hearts' page on GRACE Cares

Supporting Women, Families, and Future Health Leaders in Latin America

$7,696 raised of $15,000 goal! Thank you for helping us reach the halfway mark!

Your generosity is driving progress across two partner-led efforts in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, centered on improving family health, dignity, and community resilience.

GuateBuena: Efficient Stoves & Safer Homes

Across rural Guatemala, families rely on traditional open-fire cooking that consumes significant firewood and exposes households to dangerous smoke. With your support, GuateBuena is replacing these stoves with low-consumption, low-smoke alternatives that make daily life healthier and safer.

Recent progress:

• 60% of stoves in the current project cycle have been manufactured and distributed

• 80 families now have cleaner air inside their homes

• Community workshops have helped families learn how to reduce wood use and prevent illnesses caused by smoke exposure

Next milestone:
GuateBuena is on track to complete the full delivery of 140 stoves by the first week of December, improving health conditions for every family involved.

Each stove installed directly reduces respiratory risk and helps protect Guatemala’s forests for future generations.

Project Hearts: Training Community Health Leaders in Baitoa

Project Hearts continues to train local residents to become community health leaders, building lasting capacity for care. Due to Hurricane Melissa’s recent path near the region, one week of class was canceled as a precaution. Fortunately, Baitoa did not experience rain or damage, and training is still on track.

Remaining course sessions include:

• Training on administering injections, including insulin

• Training on taking blood pressure readings

• A full course review

• A final exam during the last class meeting

Leaders will receive thank-you gifts in recognition of their commitment to supporting neighbors at no cost. Graduation and a cohort dinner is being planned for early December.

By equipping these health leaders with practical skills, families can receive care sooner and potentially life-saving guidance without the burden of hospital fees.

Your Support Still Matters

These initiatives are community-led and designed. They solve challenges families face every day from clean air to accessible care. And they rely on your partnership to grow. We are just over halfway to our $15,000 goal. Your gift today will help:

• Complete stove manufacturing and distribution in Guatemala
• Ensure every health leader in Baitoa has the tools and support they need to graduate and serve their community

Will you help us close the gap and finish strong? Every donation gets us closer to fully funding both programs this year.

Thank you for being part of this journey toward healthier, more resilient communities.

With appreciation,

The GRACE Cares Team

Links:

• Project Hearts' page on GRACE Cares
• GuateBuena's page on GRACE Cares