Stove Interviews

Pueblo La Victoria:  Mam Maya

We just completed another round of stove interviews:  I feel very privileged to be a part of the process!  Our stove interviews for this round are in Llanos del Pinal and La Victoria.  Llanos del Pinal is closer to Quetzaltenango (Xela, as it's often referred) is Quiché (K'iche') Maya.  The other community, La Victoria is within 20-25 kilometers from Xela and is Mam Maya.  Despite the language and cultural differences, both groups share similar aspects of need:  cleaner air to cook in, safer environment for themselves and their children (reduction of burns and exposure), and the reduction of firewood usage.

Llanos del Pinal:  Quiché (K'iche') Maya

The stoves are built in different stages.  First stage consists of building a base of cinder block and cement that measures 90cm x 125cm and is three blocks high.  The second stage is constructed of brick, cement, and clay which is also three bricks high.  The third stage consists of building the fire box of brick and clay, setting the plancha/cooking surface, sealing it, and then installing the chimney.  The stoves get a door after about 40 days and it is completely ready to use in about 45.  In June we are hoping to construct eight stoves in La Victoria one week with the help of Timmy Global Health.  We will be dividing this effort into three days with four stoves beign build in the morning and four in the afternoon.  The subsequent days we will build the second and third stages, again four stoves in the morning and four in the afternoon.

Llanos del Pinal:  Quiché (K'iche') Maya

At Pop Wuj we are excited to have the opportunity to impact the local communities with these projects!  It's amazing what can be done with volunteer help.  There is much that can be done when like-minded people come together.  The impact to the health of the women and their children is quite clear as they no longer have a compromised cooking environment.  There is also an impact to the environment, specifically the reduction of wood usage.  This allows more time for other aspects of their daily lives with less time and money spent on wood procurement.  Win win all the way around!!