Welcoming the Latest Participants in our Stove Building Project - Proyecto de Estufas

This August, Pop Wuj launched the latest phase of its stove building project in Llanos del Pinal.  After several weeks of interviews with community members, we welcomed ten new participants into the program.

The latest ten participants in the safe stoves project

Gina, Carmen, Carmelina and Dorlisa in the final stove interview with Doña Teresa 

Orientation Meeting - August 14

On August 14, Pop Wuj held an orientation meeting for the new participants of the stove building project.  Gina from the social work spanish program and Liz from medical spanish school program made presentations on the health benefits of safe stoves, as well as the human and environmental health impacts of burning plastic as a source of fuel and waste management.  Carmen and Mynor then went over the three stages of stove building to take place over the next few months, and the logistics of our supply delivery day.

Gina and Liz making a presentation on the harmful effects of open stoves and burning plastic 

Supply Delivery Day - August 28

Two weeks after our orientation meeting, all of the families arrived at Pop Wuj early on the morning of August 28, to collect the materials.  We walked down to the Ferretería, picked up the first of our materials (aluminum chimney and stove tops), and then piled into the back of the supply truck.  In our subsequent stops we picked up bricks, clay and cement, and slowly made our way up the bumpy road to Llanos del Pinal.

All of the volunteers, coordinators, and participants chipped in to facilitate the transporting of materials.  When wheelbarrows were not available, we formed long lines passing down bricks and cement blocks carrying them from the trucks to individual houses.  

After a long morning, we successfully delivered over 1100 bricks and 300 cement blocks (not including the few that broke along the way).  

Looking forward to the next few months of stove building!  

If you are interested in making a targeted donation to our stove building project, please click here to donate.  More information on the stove building project itself is available on our environmental projects page.

First stop at the Ferretería

Helping Hands - A line of volunteers and participants at work

Post and Photo Credit:  Caroline Yung