Guatemala Stove Project

In 2009 Joe Busch and Katy Clark completed construction on 42 improved wood burning stoves with chimneys. The community provided 39% of the cost, while the rest was subsidized by a USAID grant. Each participating family built their own stove with our guidance.

With our support, the community of Villa Hermosa formed a five member Health Commission, or Comisión de Salud. We helped them to solicit funds from USAID and the local government to help pay for the construction of 42 improved wood-burning stoves with chimneys.

The educational phase of the project consisted of bimonthly meetings for 6 months to learn about different health related matters and the benefits, construction, use and maintenance of improved wood-burning stoves.

The family contribution is an integral part of this project in that it helps to promote sustainability and capacity building, the keys to a successful development project. The construction of these 42 improved stoves is a great start. However, the majority of the 500 families who live in the community of Villa Hermosa continue to cook over an open fire, or poyo, because they lack the necessary resources to improve their living standards.