Welcome to Guatemala Stove Project
Mission Statement
To assist in the relief of poverty and improve the health and well being of the indigenous and other disadvantaged peoples of Guatemala, and of similar peoples in other areas.
Charitable Status
The GSP is a volunteer-driven registered Canadian charity under #871977617RR0001 and can issue tax receipts to Canadians for donations over $20.00
Main Activities
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- Building and providing masonry cook stoves
- Providing other necessary supplies and supports to the above peoples, and to health, education and social agencies providing assistance to the above peoples
- Raising funds and recruiting volunteers in Canada to support the above objectives
- Educating the Canadian public concerning the conditions and needs of the above peoples
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- Fostering international understanding and cooperation between the people of Canada and the people of Guatemala and other areas where the Project will work.
History
The Guatemala Stove Project was founded in 1999 in response to a request for help from CEDEC, an indigenous non-profit group working in Guatemala’s ‘altiplano’ or Western Highlands. CEDEC identified the need for masonry cook stoves in the communities they serve, but residents lacked the material resources to build such stoves for themselves. In the first year under the guidance of mason Don Juan Puac, Perth carpenter Tom Clarke built 6 stoves. Since 1999, Tom and Canadian volunteers working on behalf of the
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GSP have fundraised for the construction of over 7000 stoves, which were built by local Guatemalan masons. These stoves dramatically improve the health, life expectancy and overall well-being of Maya families, especially women and children who spend the most time indoors around the cooking fire. Since the inception of the project, the GSP has also organized an annual stove-building trip to Guatemala every February for volunteers.
The GSP is volunteer-driven: the core activity is to build masonry cook stoves but over the years the GSP has helped to reduce poverty or suffering by addressing key priorities with the following initiatives:
- Investing in health through building masonry cook stoves and supporting medical initiatives.
- Investing in education through various bursary and school programsas well as funding school cook stoves.
- Providing emergency assistance following earthquakes, landslides and crop failures.
- Providing funds for microloan for Maya farmers.
Three billion people continue to cook over an open fire or rudimentary stove and the resultant air pollution is a leading cause of death and disability. A GSP masonry cookstove will provide a wide range of health, economic and social benefits for a Maya family
Educational Bursaries
Attending high school may be the dream of a young Maya girl and her family but is seldom the reality. A GSP educational bursary offers this opportunity and will give her more choices about her future.
Microloans
When traditional financing is not available, a GSP micro-loan is a valuable method to finance small projects and earn much needed income.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance allows for immediate financing to our Guatemalan partners in times of crisis such as earthquakes, mudslides, and serious health concerns. These events greatly impact Maya families with few economic resources
Build a Stove, Change the Future
Donate Now to help more Maya Families!
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at a cost of $300 and consume less, you can begin to approach being carbon neutral.Get Involved and Become a Volunteer!
Volunteers at Work in Canada – From beer can and bottle collecting at folk festivals to woven bracelet sales in schools, our Canadian volunteers have shown creativity and perseverance in their efforts to fundraise for stoves and other projects. Yearly dances, cocktail parties, sit-down dinners, garage sales and presentations to schools and churches have provided us with opportunities to connect with Canadian donors and offer a hand-up to deserving Guatemalan families.