Preventative Health
An open fire is the traditional kitchen of the majority of Guatemalans. This way of cooking is the cause of many physical ailments such as skin diseases, ophthalmological disease and respiratory diseases which can lead to lung cancer; caused by the constant inhalation of smoke from day to day. This type of cooking is also the cause of fatal accidents in children, specially when they are learning to walk. For this reason we try to offer a solution to these problems through improved stoves, also this provides a more economic way of cooking by reducing the use of firewood by 70%.
Another very common problem in the communities is the consumption of contaminated water which causes many intestinal infections that can lead to malnutrition and in some cases death. Consequently, Alta Verapaz (where we are located at), has one of the highest malnutrition rates in our country. For this reason, we try to provide a solution to this problem through water purification systems to help prevent these diseases.
Dozens of volunteers arrive every year to support some of the families suffering from these problems.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
How stoves are distributed
The stoves we give to communities are from the company Chispa, or "Spark." We reach out to the mayors or the communities we work with, who know which families are in greatest need of a stove. We meet with the families to assess their need. The families that receive stoves pay the delivery fee so they have a stake in the process. The stove parts are delivered to the communities and taken to their homes where they await installation by a volunteer team.
This is where you can play a part in improving the long-term health of our communities. We need volunteers who are willing to hike to homes, install the stoves, and teach the families how to use them. Per household, the process takes about 15 minutes.
It is a humbling experience to see the homes of the less fortunate, and it is rewarding to help improve their lives. If you are interested in helping us install stoves, please contact us to learn more!
