Globally, nearly three billion people use polluting, inefficient stoves or open flames to cook their food. Exposure to cooking fire smoke kills approximately two million people worldwide every year.
In Guatemala, as in many other countries, breathing in the toxic fumes while preparing tortillas and frijoles puts Mayan women and children at risk for respiratory illnesses, blindness and burns on a daily basis. It is estimated that 77% of Guatemalan families use wood as their main fuel source. 2% of Guatemala’s forests are lost annually, mainly due to the need for fuel for cooking fires. Precious family resources and time are spent on gathering or purchasing wood.
The Guatemala Stove Project (GSP) helps alleviate these problems by building vented stoves that are adapted to Mayan cooking methods. These stoves are made of cement blocks on the outside and fire-bricks inside, filled with sand and pumice for insulation and held together by mortar. The design of the firebox can reduce wood consumption and pollution by about 50%. The ‘plancha’ or stove-top is made of shiny, bright steel. The crowning glory of this kitchen appliance is the galvanized chimney pipe that takes the poisonous smoke out of the house. It is an ‘improved cooking stove’ and while most of us would find it rudimentary, Mayan women much prefer it to cooking on the floor over an open fire.
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On October 28th volunteer Keith Walker returned from one week in Guatemala where he was wrapping up a six year project which has raised almost $50,000 for tuition, uniforms, books, equipment and, in one case, room and board which has made possible the graduation and professional qualification on five young Mayan students.
He was also invited to the graduation of the last and youngest student, Mildred, who requested that he “stand in” for her father who died in 2009 of untreated diabetes. The graduation was followed by a wonderful lunch and party at the home of her mother Amalia.
None of the five students would have been able to continue in school beyond grade six without the assistance of the Cantel Scholarships and the Guatemala Stove Project.
Perth Volunteer meeting tomorrow, Monday October 28, 6:30pm at Coutts Coffee Roastery & Cafe Gore St Perth