Greens Give to Guatemala
MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release
(September 13, 2005 Ottawa) Green Party candidate David Chernushenko will present a cheque to Tom Clarke and Jose Alejandro Yac (Maya leader and stove builder visting Canada) today. The $200 cheque to The Guatemala Stove Project will enable the Canadian charity to replace a dangerous and inefficient three-stone cooktop with a modern masonary stove in Guatemala.
According to the Guatemal Stove Project, with the traditional three stone fires, many women go blind in their forties from the smoke from the cooking fires. Eye infections, chronic lung diseas and other health problems are frequent. With the new stoves - which have stovepipes for evacuating the smoke - life expectancy increases by 10 to 15 years per person. The stoves use 50% less wood, reducing the burden for family members to gather and carry wood long distances on their backs. Large-scale conversion to this type of stove will also reduce the impact of deforestation.
According to Chernushenko, he hopes that the Green Party can help give this organization a boost. "This organization has a successful track record at building stoves. We know they are looking for donors and volunteers in Ottawa and want to help get the word out." Chernushenko, a successful green building and healthy living consultant, is the Green Party candidate for Ottawa-Centre. The Ottawa Citizen endorsed his candidacy in the 2004 federal election.
The Guatemala Stove Project has installed the following number of stoves each year:
- 2000 : 25
- 2001 : 195
- 2002 : 535
- 2003 : 700
- 2004 : 1000
- 2005 : 1000 or more (prediction)
The group has never received financial assistance from CIDA, but they are hoping CIDA will hear about the project and offer the group some assistance. "We're working on a proposal to CIDA, but our volunteers aren't necessarily skilled in writing these types of proposals. It's the toughest part for us".
For more information on the Guatemala Stove Project, visit www.guatemalastoveproject.org or call Tom Clarke at 613-267-5202 (Perth). For more information on the Ottawa Centre Green Party, visit www.ottawagreens.ca or call 235-6647.
The cheque handover will take place at the candidate's home, 99 Seneca Place, Old Ottawa South, today at 4 PM. Digital photos will be taken. (Seneca Place runs perpendicular to Sunnyside.)
Contacts:
Tom Clarke,
Guatemala Stove Project
613-267-5202 (Perth)
clarke@perth.igs.net
David Chernushenko
Green Party Candidate
Ottawa-Centre
613-730-0248
david@greengold.on.ca