Fuel-Efficient Stoves: Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

Dear GlobalGiving Supporters,

I’m writing to you today because I know you care about the families and communities we work with in Guatemala. I want to take this moment to THANK YOU for your generous support. It allows us to respond to the immediate needs of rural and indigenous families so that they can pursue dignified lives and livelihoods in the places where they live. It also helps reduce pressure on important natural resources and ecosystems.

Just last week, your support helped us work with our local partner organization APROSARSTUN to deliver 15 new fuel-efficient stoves to the remote community of Nuevo Nacimiento Cáliz in the Sarstun Multiple Use Zone in the Department of Izabal, Guatemala. This community is only accessible by boat, so the transportation process is challenging and it takes a village! But the women of the community had gathered and were thrilled to receive the Chispa model stove. The chimney vents 99% of the smoke from inside the house. It has a “rocket” type combustion chamber to burn wood more efficiently and shows a 55% reduction of wood consumption and thermal efficiency of 25% or more in the water boiling test. 

In addition, we’re also working in this same community to establish diversified agroforestry parcels. These include fast-growing trees that--among other benefits--provide a source of firewood, further reducing pressure on local forests and ecosystems.

I have included a few pictures for you. Thanks again for being such an important part of this work that is helping communities and conserving forests! I look forward to the next update.

Saludos,

Mario Ardany de León, Program Officer, Guatemala

EcoLogic Development Fund